Research Field Assistant

The World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg) is a non-profit, autonomous international agricultural research center with headquarters in Taiwan and five regional offices around the globe. WorldVeg’s research and development work focuses on breeding improved vegetable lines, developing and promoting safe production practices, reducing postharvest losses, and improving the nutritional value of vegetables. The center aims to raise awareness of the importance of vegetables for improved health and global poverty alleviation. For more information, please visit our website: worldveg.org.

Job Opportunity:

WorldVeg seeks to recruit a Research Field Assistant to provide general technical support to the vegetable breeding initiatives under various projects, including setting up laboratory, on-station, and on-farm trials, seed multiplication, and on-farm demonstration fields. The incumbent will be based in the Center’s regional office for Eastern and Southern Africa in Arusha, Tanzania.

Note: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position.

Required Qualifications and Competencies

Technical and Behavioral

• Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Horticulture, Crop Science, or Agronomy from an accredited university.
• Having an MSc in Plant Breeding or Genetics is an added advantage.
• A minimum of three years of experience in vegetable breeding, horticulture, and agronomy research, within an international non-governmental organization (NGO), highly preferred.
• Excellent computer skills in MS-Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Should be familiar with data analysis software such as R and GenStat.
• Excellent communication skills in spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to interact with partners and colleagues in a multi-cultural setting.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement field plans for nurseries, crossing blocks, and experiments/trials.
• Schedule and conduct seed preparation, sowing, transplanting, irrigation, weeding, emasculation and crossing, harvesting, and seed extraction.
• Ensure proper labeling of genetic materials (introductions, breeding lines, and varieties) and field plots.
• Design data sheets required for data collection using the Fieldbook App.
• Ensure that all field and laboratory data (especially yield, diseases, insect pest, and abiotic stress data) from breeding trials are collected in time and transferred to a computer/database for safe storage.
• Collect samples for genotyping or nutritional analyses.
• Compile, analyze, and summarize data for breeding decisions.
• Ensure available farm tools, field, and laboratory facilities and equipment related to breeding activities are in place and well maintained.
• Prepare monthly/weekly requirements of daily laborers based on activities planned for the period.
• Directly supervise daily laborers on duty in the field and laboratory.
• Assist in practical training courses organized by the vegetable improvement unit.
• Cooperate with other research assistants under the program and within the Regional Office on vegetable research and development activities.
• Accomplish any other duty requested by the supervisor, the Vegetable Breeder.
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Country Program Manager as needed.

WorldVeg’s Core Values

The candidate we hire will embody WorldVeg’s five core values:

• Dedication to Innovation and Knowledge Sharing Supports the conduct of world-class science, respects ethical standards, and is committed to transparently sharing results.
• Commitment to Impact Aspires to achieve positive, tangible, and lasting impact contributing to Sustainable Development Goals.
• Commitment to Partnerships Believes in the value of partnerships to advance research for development.
• Respect for People Respects the diversity of gender, culture, ethnic origin, religion, age, beliefs, and views.
• Respect for the Environment Strives to minimize its environmental impact and to introduce greener technology and practices.

How to Apply

Applicants should submit the following to info-esa@worldveg.org or the job bank site before 06 October 2025:

• A letter of application explaining their suitability for and interest in the position.
• A curriculum vitae in English.
• A recent passport-size photograph.
• Names and addresses (including telephone and e-mail) of three referees.
• Date of availability.

Please mention the position title in the subject line.