The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural research center headquartered in Taiwan and with five regional offices worldwide. WorldVeg delivers science and innovation for enhanced vegetable production and consumption in a rapidly changing world. For more information, please visit our website: www.worldveg.org and our new global strategy.

WorldVeg seeks to employ a Country Representative & Seed Systems Specialist. These are three positions, respectively based in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal. These positions will contribute to a new program aimed at creating an inclusive and competitive vegetable and potato seed sector that provides smallholder farmers with access to affordable, quality seeds of a wide range of adapted varieties. The five-year program will operate in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Senegal. It will strengthen the capacity of private seed enterprises and increase farmers’ demand for quality seed; strengthen the supply of improved varieties and the conservation of local biodiversity; and create a more efficient regulatory environment for governance of the vegetable and potato seed sector, including coordination and evidence-based decision-making.

The Country Representative & Seed Systems Specialist will lead local implementation in close collaboration with international and local partners, each contributing unique expertise to the program. The person will report to the Regional Director for West and Central Africa and the Program Manager, both based in Cotonou, Benin.


Key Responsibilities:
1. Donor compliance: Ensure all expenditures, procurement, and activities strictly align with the guidelines of the funder and of WorldVeg.
2. Host country relations: Ensure optimal relations with the host country government, national agricultural research organization, government agencies, universities, local seed trade associations, seed companies, local representatives of the funder, and other stakeholders.
3. Partner coordination: Coordinate the work of international and in-country implementing partners and local stakeholders, including detailed annual work plans for the country and subcontracts with local partners.
4. Country office coordination: Manage a team of 5-6 in-country staff, ensuring compliance with operating procedures and policies of WorldVeg and the host organization, and creating a professional and inclusive work environment. Protect and maintain WorldVeg assets and ensure their efficient use for the program.
5. Program implementation: Implement program activities in close coordination with international partners, focusing on those related to seed sector governance and regulation, while also contributing to other activities in the country.
6. Program reporting: Contribute to the program progress reports as directed by the Program Manager.
7. Communications: Ensure the program’s visibility in the country by creating high-quality communication products in coordination with the Program Manager and the communications team.
8. Impact tracking: Oversee monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities.
9. Risk management: Manage the program’s risk exposure and mitigation measures to ensure staff and visitor safety and protect assets and intellectual property.
10. Perform any other duties as required by the Center.


The Person:
• Education: At least an MSc or MA in agronomy, plant science, agricultural economics, or another relevant field.
• Sector expertise: Sound understanding of the seed sectors in Africa, including regulations and governance issues.
• Leadership experience: Proven record in project and team management.
• Languages: Full professional proficiency in spoken and written English (all positions), and in spoken and written French for the positions based in Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire.
• Mindset: Culturally agile team builder comfortable with extensive in-country


The candidate we hire will embody WorldVeg’s five core values:
1. Dedication to Innovation and Knowledge Sharing Supports the conduct of world-class science, respects ethical standards, and is committed to sharing results in a transparent manner.
2. Commitment to Impact Aspires to achieve positive, tangible, and lasting impact, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals.
3. Commitment to Partnerships Believes in the value of partnerships to advance research for development.
4. Respect for People Respect the diversity of gender, culture, ethnic origin, religion, age, beliefs, and views.
5. Respect for the Environment Strives to minimize its environmental impact and to introduce greener technology and practices.


The Reward: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position with competitive pay and benefits. The initial appointment is for three years. The position will be available on 1 September 2026.