HIRING: Enterprise Breeding System - Senior IT Project Manager

 

 

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Enterprise Breeding System - Senior IT Project Manager

The CGIAR Excellence in Breeding Platform (www.excellenceinbreeding.org) is recruiting a Senior IT Project Manager. EiB supports breeding programs targeting Africa, Asia and Latin America to adopt best practices and technologies to improve rates of genetic gain and variety turnover, for impact on food and nutrition security, livelihoods and climate change adaptation.

The Platform is a cross-commodity platform that supports the modernization of breeding programs targeting Africa, Asia, and Latin America for greater impact on food and nutrition security, climate change adaptation and development. The Platform is part of the new CGIAR portfolio of research programs and platforms (www.cgiar.org/our-strategy), and is led by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries (www.cimmyt.org).

The location of this position will be at the CIMMYT headquarters in Texcoco, Mexico. The position may begin remotely from your home base or current location if organizational approval for the relocation to Mexico is delayed due to COVID 19.

Specific duties:

  • Responsible for the planning, resourcing, and scheduling of Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) development cycles (sprints)
  • Responsible for preparing budgets and managing expenditures for the EBS project
  • Coordinate the EBS IT leads in executing the development sprints
  • Coordinate the EBS IT leads in evaluating EBS outcomes; identifying problems; evaluating trends and anticipating requirements.
  • Coordinate the EBS IT leads in communicating job expectations; monitoring and appraising job results; and monitoring compliance with policies, and procedures.
  • Coordinate the EBS IT leads in recruiting, selecting, and training the best
  • Coordinate the EBS IT leads maintaining a safe and secure work environment; providing coaching, and providing professional growth opportunities.
  • Be an active member of the EBS leadership team
  • Be an active participant in the governance of core breeding domain software development to EBS design and technical standards
  • Be an active participant in the definition and preparation of the EBS project's high-level development roadmap
  • Maintains professional and technical knowledge by reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
  • Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Required academic qualifications, skills, and attitudes:

  • Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in Business Management, Computer Science, Information Sciences, Software Engineering.
  • 10 years of experience in designing and developing software systems.
  • Experience in IT systems tailored to the needs of plant breeding highly desired.
  • Key Performance Indicators:
    • Effectively formulating and executing enterprise DevOps software development and deployment methodologies
    • Meeting development road map releases on time, to specification and on budget.
    • Appropriately and agilely adjusting to changing needs or circumstances to deliver quality results in an agreed upon time frame, to specification and on budget.
    • Effectively understanding, integrating, and responding to the needs of the EBS software team and project stakeholders.
  • Skills and Knowledge:
    • Strategic Planning; IT project management; Understanding of IT technologies; IT staffing; Developing budgets; Project quality management.
    • Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certification required.
    • Agile Scrum Master or comparable certification preferred (CSM) 
  • The selected candidate must exhibit the following competencies: Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, and Problem Solving and Decision Making.
  • Strong execution skills as demonstrated by successful experience overcoming project obstacles, implementing risk mitigation and contingencies, building strong project teams and project deliver.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, and interpersonal skills are required to effectively communicate with stakeholders, guide and lead others and provide direction.
  • Excellent attention to details and possesses the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to manage a project. A high level of analytical and problem-solving skills is required. The ability to handle complex issues including communicating them appropriately to all levels of the organization is essential. Demonstrated skills in project tracking and management projects are required.

The position is for an initial fixed-term for three (3) years, after which further employment is subject to performance and the continued availability of funds. CIMMYT’s internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

To apply:

  • Candidates must apply here for IRS20141_EBS IT Project Manager. Screening and follow up of applications will begin on Friday, December 18th, 2020. Applications must include a CV and a cover letter. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. For further information on the selection process, please contact Yessica Castillo, at y.castillo@cgiar.org
  • Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
  • This position will remain open until filled.
  • CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply.