JOB ADVERTISEMENT – MAIZE BREEDER – BASED IN KITALE, KENYA

Seed Co Kenya is seeking a highly self-motivated Maize Breeder with demonstrated success to join the group’s Research and Development function in Kitale, Kenya. The opportunity is to manage a Maize Breeding Program with a specific primary responsibility to develop new highland adapted maize lines and hybrids for the East Africa region. The individual will also develop and manage an extensive pre-commercial maize breeding pipeline for targeted maize market segments with direct interaction with product development, production and commercial teams to ensure that the breeding program is aligned with commercial objectives. The Maize Breeder will design, develop, manage and implement breeding research projects in collaboration with other breeders and scientists in fields such as doubled haploids, marker applications, pathology, product evaluation, quantitative genetics and crop management.

Seed Co Kenya is part of the Seed Co International Group, The African Seed Company, a leading player in the Seed Industry in Africa.

Key Responsibilities:
Leading and managing all components of a successful maize breeding programme, including, but not limited to:

• Starting up and operationalizing an elaborate highland maize breeding program in the Highlands of Kenya.
• Utilizing all relevant breeding technologies with appropriate allocation of resources directed at the successful development of a highland maize breeding program.
• Developing a breeding pipeline of unique and diverse highland maize lines and hybrids directed at the successful development of commercial products for key market segments.
• Developing an elaborate trial network and phenotyping platforms that help bring to the fore the value of unique traits in maize lines and hybrids developed for major highland maize production areas in East Africa.
• Working with value chain experts to define trait matrices most suitable for the development of the group’s highland maize germplasm pool and output varieties.
• Developing a highland maize germplasm diversity and enhancement strategy for sustainable genetic gains.
• Identifying unique highland maize germplasm traits and designing breeding and molecular marker platforms that facilitate the appropriate and careful incorporation of new traits into highland maize breeding populations and lines.
• Achieving pre-commercial stage gate targets for lines and varieties through product performance.
• Making populations, line and hybrid advancement decisions in collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Networking and building strong relationships and partnerships with NARS, Product Registration Officials and CGIAR centres across the globe.
• Regular traveling to key market locations in Africa, for extended periods, for trial and product evaluations is mandatory.

Education and Core Functional Skills / Experiences Required:

• M.Sc. or PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics or related field.
• Excellent leadership, managerial and organizational skills and ability to balance multiple tasks and deliver milestones.
• At least 9 years of work experience in maize breeding/genetics in the seed industry, exemplified by hands on experience in hybrids and inbred lines development in a commercial breeding set up.
• Strong background in theoretical and practical plant breeding, quantitative genetics, field plot techniques, statistical analysis and molecular marker application to plant breeding as required in maximizing genetic gains in a modern breeding programme.
• Proficiency with database applications, spreadsheet software, and modern experimental designs.
• Ability to work in a team-based environment with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Willingness to travel regionally and internationally for extended periods.

Core Competencies Desired

• In-depth knowledge of plant breeding principles and germplasm management.
• Results-oriented individual who enjoys field work.
• Excellent team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and ability to work in a matrix organization.
• Effective influential skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Highly innovative, motivated and imaginative individual.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications, including: a cover letter outlining their interest and suitability for the role, a detailed CV with at least three professional references, and supporting documents (certificates and relevant experience documentation). Applications should be emailed to recruitment@seedcogroup.com by 10th July 2025.