Sweetpotato Seed Specialist – Kumasi, Ghana

About the role

The International Potato Center (CIP) is recruiting a Sweetpotato Seed Specialist to be based in Kumasi, Ghana. The specialist will work with partners to strengthen sweetpotato seed systems in key production regions and support a yam bean seed program, reporting to the resident CIP scientist.

Key responsibilities

• Multiply and maintain breeder/foundation seed of released sweetpotato varieties at primary multiplication sites (CSIR‑CRI, CSIR‑SARI) and satellite locations.
• Establish and manage secondary multiplication sites for newly released varieties across Central, Volta, Upper East, Upper West and Northern Regions.
• Conduct research and demonstrations on pathogen‑tested planting material in net tunnels and evaluate yield gains versus non‑tested material.
• Evaluate the triple‑S storage root conservation system on‑station and on‑farm in partnership with development agencies.
• Maintain in‑vitro, screen‑house and field germplasm collections to ensure timely production of healthy planting material.
• Assist with tissue culture, thermotherapy and virus indexing of sweetpotato germplasm and support yam bean activities.

Required profile

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Plant Sciences.
• Previous experience in improvement of clonally propagated crops.
• Proven ability to work with diverse partners and deliver results on time.
• Competence in statistical analysis and data management.
• Organized, innovative and clear communicator, both oral and written.
• Valid driver’s licence; knowledge of French is highly desirable.

Required skills

• Statistical analysis
• Data management
• In‑vitro tissue culture techniques
• Thermotherapy for virus elimination
• Virus indexing