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Intern - Crop Improvement At International Potato Center

International Potato Center

NGO / Non-Profit Associations full time Nairobi Posted 16 hours ago

The International Potato Center, known by its Spanish acronym CIP, was founded in 1971 as a root and tuber research-for-development institution delivering sustainable solutions to the pressing world problems of hunger, poverty, and the degradation of natural resources. CIP is truly a global center, with headquarters in Lima, Peru and offices in 20 developing countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Working closely with our partners, CIP seeks to achieve food security, increased well-being, and gender equity for poor people in the developing world. CIP furthers its mission through rigorous research, innovation in science and technology, and capacity strengthening regarding root and tuber farming and food systems. CIP is part of the CGIAR Consortium, a global partnership that unites organizations engaged in research for a food secure future. CGIAR research is dedicated to reducing rural poverty, increasing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring more sustainable management of natural resources. Donors include individual countries, major foundations, and international entities.About the role  The Crop Improvement Intern will contribute to the design and implementation of a defined research experiment or study within CIP’sPotato breeding program. The intern will work closely with the breeding team, gaining practical exposure to greenhouse operations, experimental data collection, and analytical methods.  The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya (PQS-Muguga station), and reports to the Potato Breeding Team Lead.  Key responsibilities  Research & Experimentation  Support the design and implementation of an experiment or research study on a topic defined in consultation with the intern and the supervising scientist  Conduct literature reviews and contribute to the development of research protocols  Collect field and greenhouse data in accordance with established experimental protocols   Data Analysis & Reporting  Compile, clean, and manage experimental datasets using appropriate tools, including R  Analyze data, interpret results, and draw conclusions relevant to hybrid breeding improvement  Prepare technical reports and presentations summarizing findings and recommendations  Contribute to documentation of best practices and lessons learned within the breeding programme  Greenhouse Operations Support  Assist with day-to-day operations in the breeding greenhouse at PQS-Muguga  Support plant maintenance, crossing activities, and seed management tasks as required  Work collaboratively with the breeding team and field staff on operational activities  What are we looking for?  Education  Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Agriculture, Plant Breeding, Agronomy, Plant Science, or a closely related field  Currently enrolled in a plant breeding/agronomy graduate program is an advantage  Desirable experience in data management and analysis, preferably using R or similar statistical software  Prior exposure to plant breeding activities, whether through coursework, research attachments, or practical experience  Desirable experience in data collection within a research or agricultural field setting  Desirable internship experience with similar activities  Advanced level of MS Office and intermediate knowledge of database work  Skills & Competencies  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate data and research results into practical recommendations. Detail-oriented with good organizational skills and a willingness to learn. Advanced written and spoken English; fluency in Swahili (official language). Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team. Core competencies: innovation, accountability, teamwork, and integrity. Specific competencies: analytical thinking, planning & organization, communication, and continuous improvement.