Qureos Mentor

ICARDA

Reports to: Head of Communications
 Location: Cairo, Egypt
 
Main Purpose of the Position
 The Communications Team at ICARDA is responsible for a wide range of activities aimed at marketing the organization's work, news, and achievements. The team operates in a fast-paced environment, primarily focusing on digital outputs such as social media and website content while also engaging in traditional press, hard-copy publications, event coordination, and partner relations. Additionally, the team provides marketing tools and style guides and supports internal communications to ensure consistent external voice and branding.
 The role of the Communications Officer is crucial for team coordination and time management, as well as producing high-quality, compelling materials that align with ICARDA's mission and strategic goals. This position will support ICARDA's Communications Team by overseeing the events calendar, supporting press outreach, and creating diverse content formats that effectively convey the organization's work, news, and achievements to a global audience. Additionally, the role aims to enhance engagement, ensure brand consistency, and support both internal and external communications, guaranteeing that ICARDA's messaging is clear, accurate, and impactful.
 
About ICARDA: 
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
 ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.
 
Main Responsibilities: 
The Communications Officer will carry out a wide range of communications activities including:
 <ul>
<li>Oversee the Communications Unit’s events calendar and serve as the communications' team main point-of-contact for ICARDA events.</li>
<li>Support in media outreach and response.</li>
<li>Draft written content that highlights ICARDA's research, projects, and achievements in an engaging and accessible manner.</li>
<li>Support the development of high-quality content for ICARDA's digital platforms.</li>
<li>Support the development of multimedia content (videos, infographics, brochures, etc.) to enhance storytelling and audience engagement.</li>
<li>Support development and maintenance of the communications team photo and video library.</li>
<li>Optimize content for SEO and track performance metrics to improve engagement and reach.</li>
<li>Assist in the planning and execution of communication campaigns.</li>
<li>Support internal communications by creating content for staff newsletters, and internal announcements.</li>
</ul>
Requirements: 
Education, Experience, and Qualifications : 
Essential Qualifications and Competencies: 
<ul>
<li>Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field.</li>
<li>3–5 years of experience in content creation, journalism, or communications.</li>
<li>Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills in English.</li>
<li>Experience in event coordination.</li>
<li>Proficiency in MS SharePoint, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.</li>
<li>Proficiency in digital content creation tools and content management systems.</li>
<li>Strong understanding of SEO principles and digital media best practices.</li>
<li>Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.</li>
<li>Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multicultural and multidisciplinary work environment.</li>
<li>Experience in the agricultural or environmental sectors.</li>
<li>Basic design skills, knowledge of tools for A/V content production, and understanding of photography.</li>
<li>Knowledge of Arabic or French.</li>
<li>Experience with analytics tools to measure content performance and make data-driven decisions.</li>
</ul>
Benefits: 
Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits: 
This is a nationally recruited position open to Egyptian nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first year will be a probationary period.
 
Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
 
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Communications Officer

Reports to: Research Team Leader - Breeding and Scaling Improved Varieties of Dryland Cereals and Pulses
 Location: Cairo, Egypt or any of ICARDA’s Research Hub
 
Main purpose of the position
 The Senior Molecular Breeder / Biotechnologist will lead ICARDA’s molecular breeding and biotechnology strategy for chickpea, with scope to expand to other priority legumes. The position will drive the Chickpea Genome Editing Program, applying advanced genomic tools, genome editing, and molecular breeding to accelerate genetic gains for nutritional quality, and market-preferred traits and climate resilience.
 The role will ensure that molecular innovations are efficiently integrated into ICARDA’s breeding pipelines and effectively deployed in partnership with NARS, CGIAR Centers, and other stakeholders to deliver improved varieties for dryland farming systems.
 ICARDA has a working group on molecular breeding located at the Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) in the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) in Cairo. Protocols for genome editing have been established. Ongoing projects on genome editing, testing of edited plants need to be continued.
 
About ICARDA: 
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR.
 ICARDA’s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development, and capacity development that takes into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organizations, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.
 
Main responsibilities: 
Research & Innovation
 <ul>
<li>Design and implement a molecular breeding and biotechnology program for chickpea, with adaptability to other legumes and cereals.</li>
<li>Lead genome editing pipelines (e.g., CRISPR/Cas) targeting priority traits such as disease resistance, early maturity, biofortification, development traits such as flowering time and drought/heat tolerance.</li>
<li>Discover, validate, and deploy molecular markers and genomic prediction models for target traits.</li>
<li>Integrate multi-omics (genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) for trait dissection and candidate gene discovery.</li>
<li>Develop, optimize, and apply tissue culture and transformation protocols for legumes and cereals.</li>
<li>Ensure integration of molecular outputs into breeding pipelines in alignment with Trait Product Profiles (TPPs).</li>
</ul>
Partnerships & Capacity Development
 <ul>
<li>Establish strategic partnerships with NARS, CGIAR Centers, Universities, and the private sector.</li>
<li>Provide training and mentorship to ICARDA and partner scientists in molecular breeding, genome editing, and bioinformatics.</li>
<li>Represent ICARDA in global molecular breeding and legume improvement platforms.</li>
</ul>
Program & Resource Management
 <ul>
<li>Secure research funding through proposal development and donor engagement.</li>
<li>Manage budgets, work plans, and research staff for assigned programs.</li>
<li>Ensure compliance with regulatory frameworks and Intellectual Property (IP) guidelines for biotechnology.</li>
</ul>
Communication & Knowledge Sharing
 <ul>
<li>Publish high-quality peer-reviewed papers, technical bulletins, and protocols.</li>
<li>Develop communication materials to share research outcomes with donors, partners, and farmers.</li>
<li>Promote ICARDA’s leadership role in molecular breeding for dryland legumes.</li>
</ul>
Requirements: 
Education, qualifications, and experience: 
<ul>
<li>Advanced university degree, Ph.D. in Plant Breeding, Genetics, Molecular Biology, or related discipline.</li>
<li>Minimum 10 years post-PhD experience in molecular breeding or plant biotechnology, preferably in legumes.</li>
<li>Proven track record in applying genome editing technologies and associated tissue culture/transformation systems.</li>
<li>Experience in statistical genetics and bioinformatics for breeding applications.</li>
<li>Demonstrated success in collaborative, multi-institutional R&D programs.</li>
<li>Strategic thinking and innovation in crop improvement.</li>
<li>Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.</li>
<li>Excellent communication, partnership-building, and leadership abilities.</li>
<li>Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in multidisciplinary, multicultural environments.</li>
<li>Operational Chickpea Genome Editing Program within 18 months.</li>
<li>At least 3 validated genomic tools (markers, GS models, or edited lines) annually integrated into breeding programs.</li>
<li>Deployment of molecular breeding tools in at least two additional crops by year 3.</li>
<li>Delivery of capacity-building activities (minimum 2 per year) for ICARDA and partner staff.</li>
<li>Peer-reviewed publications and donor reports completed as per annual targets.</li>
<li>Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.</li>
</ul>
Benefits: 
Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits : 
This position may be offered under national or international recruitment terms, depending on the qualifications and the location of the selected candidate. ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months’ maternity leave, 15 days’ paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of three years, renewable subject to satisfactory performance. The first year of appointment will be probationary period.
 
ICARDA accepts applications only in English which is the organization’s official communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
 Only shortlisted applications will be contacted.

Senior Molecular Breeder for Chickpea and Legumes/Biotechnologist

Join ICARDA and explore 2   exciting career opportunities. They're hiring for various roles with options for remote or on-site work. Apply today and become part of their innovative team.

ICARDA

ABOUT_COMPANY

Communications Officer

Senior Molecular Breeder for Chickpea and Legumes/Biotechnologist