The Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust) is an international organization with headquarters in Bonn, Germany whose mission is to ensure the conservation and availability of crop diversity for food security worldwide. For further information about the Crop Trust, consult the web page at http://croptrust.org   

The Crop Trust is seeking an outstanding candidate for the position of:

Project Manager

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Science and Programs, the Project Manager will be responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of activities under SAFECROP (Strengthening Africa’s Food and Economic Capacity through Resilient Opportunity Crops). 

SAFECROP is an endowment-funded mechanism financed by the Government of Germany that continues to build the capacity of national genebanks in Africa that were part of the Crop Trust’s Seeds for Resilience (SFR) project – Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia. Through modest annual funding, this 3-year implementation phase (2027 – 2029) builds on investments made during the SFR project to support these national genebanks in advancing towards long-term sustainability and international operating standards. 

It is possible that, for the limited period from the start of employment through the end of May 2028, 20% of working hours will be devoted to managing another project, the Vegetables4Life (V4L) initiative, which is being implemented in collaboration with the World Vegetable Center. A decision regarding this potential, temporary additional responsibility - which differs from the core responsibilities related to SAFECROP - will be made no later than the start of employment. 

The Project Manager will collaborate closely with other team members implementing relevant Crop Trust projects, including Power of Diversity Pilot, BOLDER and components within the BOLD project.                                            

The responsibilities of the position include the following: 

  • Support partner genebanks on their pathway towards reaching performance standards.
  • Manage relationships with partners and engage with them to establish agreements and negotiate workplans, budgets, deliverables and project contracts.
  • Provide overall management and advice for the implementation, monitoring and reporting of partners’ plans, including through duty travel to partner sites
  • Maintain efficient systems for tracking agreements, approvals, deliverables, budgets and follow-up actions and coordinate partner reporting through the Crop Trust’s Partner Reporting Tool, ensuring consistency and accuracy of outputs.
  • Conduct routine monitoring and evaluation of partners’ performance and reporting to ensure that agreed targets and deliverables are achieved.
  • Coordinate the procurement of agreed equipment, supplies and services, including capacity-building and technical support activities, in collaboration with relevant Crop Trust teams.
  • Provide scientific and technical oversight of activities relating to genebank operations, including conservation, regeneration, safety duplication, quality management and information management.
  • Review partner expenditure and supporting documentation and ensure compliance with approved budgets and Crop Trust and donor financial rules and regulations.
  • Identify discrepancies, implementation delays and technical, financial or compliance risks, and coordinate timely follow-up and corrective action.
  • Represent the Crop Trust as necessary and maintain effective engagement with relevant institutional and national stakeholders.
  • Stay abreast of scientific developments, and relevant international policy frameworks.
  • Contribute to the smooth and coordinated functioning of the Programs Team, liaising with other teams as necessary to accelerate decision-making and approvals.
  • Contribute to reports, peer-reviewed publications, guidance documents, presentations and other knowledge products as necessary

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience 


Essential:

  • MSc in biological/agricultural sciences, international development or related field of relevance to the plant genetic resources area.
  • At least seven years’ progressive project management experience, preferably in an international setting and involving multiple institutional and country partners.
  • Experience developing and reviewing contracts, workplans, budgets, expenditure and technical reports.
  • Strong organizational, documentation and records management skills.
  • Willingness and ability to undertake regular international travel.
  • Strong computer skills, including good knowledge of databases, MS Office, and project management applications.
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to interact effectively with a wide range of collaborators from different cultural backgrounds.
  • High degree of initiative, judgement and creativity.
  • Excellent written and spoken English; proficiency in other relevant languages will be an advantage.

Desirable:

  • Direct experience with genebanks, seed conservation, or quality management systems.
  • Familiarity with donor reporting and compliance requirements.

Terms and Conditions: The Crop Trust offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive salary, non-contributory retirement savings plan, medical insurance and leave provisions. This is an internationally recruited position classified as Grade G6 with the highest level of internationally recruited positions being G11. The yearly entry salary for this position is EUR 75,608. All benefits are denominated and paid in Euros. Staff of the Global Crop Diversity Trust (including German nationals) are exempt from host country income tax. Relocation costs are covered. The initial contract duration will be 3 years and will be subject to a probationary period of 12 months.

Applications: Interested candidates should submit the following (incomplete applications will not be considered):

  1. A one-page motivation letter including summary of your qualifications and experience, indicating how you meet the expected set of skills and competencies for the position and your drivers for applying. 
  2. Your Curriculum Vitae in English (please include your current residence address, telephone, and email address, date of birth, gender and nationality);
  3. Names and full contact details of at least three referees.

Deadline for applications is 6 December 2026.

By submitting your application, you agree to the Crop Trust processing your personal data as described here.

The Trust is an equal opportunity employer and strives for staff diversity in gender and nationality.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.