Long-Term Expert 3 – Seed Systems and Sustainable Crop Production Systems, part-time (m/f/d)

We are an independent, agriculture-focused consulting company. Since 1981, we have been working for public and private clients in Germany and abroad. In the field of international development cooperation, we specialize in promoting sustainable agriculture and food security. On behalf of public and private clients, we plan, implement, and evaluate projects across Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

For an international cooperation project in Kazakhstan, we are looking for a committed Long-Term Expert (m/f/d) specializing in seed systems and sustainable crop production systems.

Your responsibilities:

• Serve as Deputy Project Lead, representing the Project Lead when required, if designated for this role instead of Long-Term Expert 2
• Support the Project Lead in technical and methodological matters, as well as in project planning and evaluation, the organization of events, reporting, and other project management tasks
• In coordination with the Project Lead, oversee project activities, set priorities, plan assignments, and support the deployment of short-term experts
• Provide technical expertise and advisory services for Result Area E2 (Core Component) and Result Area E4 (Regional Business Cooperation)
• Provide technical and organizational support to Long-Term Expert 2, where required
• Support the implementation and application of the project's Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system
• Contribute to project reporting, communication and visibility activities, knowledge management, and the evaluation of training and capacity-building measures
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen networks with partner organizations in Kazakhstan, the wider region, and Germany, with a particular focus on private sector stakeholders

Your profile:

Mandatory requirements:

• Completed university degree
• Several years of relevant professional experience (at least 3 years, or 5 years if designated as Deputy Project Lead)
• Proficiency in German or English at C1 level or higher (written and spoken)
• Proficiency in Russian at C1 level or higher (written and spoken)

Additional qualifications and experience (considered an asset):

Technical background:

• University degree in Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics, a related Engineering discipline, Biology, or Economics/Business Administration
• Experience in institutional and policy advisory services, particularly in cooperation with ministries and public institutions across multiple countries
• Professional experience working with associations and other relevant stakeholders in agricultural policy and the agri-food sector
• Professional experience in seed systems and sustainable crop production systems
• Professional experience and expertise in other areas of sustainable agriculture, such as climate change adaptation, water management, mechanization, automation, digitalization, or related fields
• Professional experience in international development cooperation projects
• Professional experience in the private sector in fields relevant to the project
• Practical experience in stakeholder engagement and networking with public institutions, academia, the private sector, and agricultural advisory services

Regional expertise and languages:

• Professional experience in Kazakhstan, the post-Soviet region, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, or other transition economies with comparable sector conditions
• An established professional network with private sector organizations, the food processing and food trade sectors, value chain actors, and agricultural innovation systems in Kazakhstan, the wider region, and Germany
• Experience in organizing and facilitating regional events, particularly those involving government authorities

Methodological competencies:

• Excellent skills in developing cooperation models, benchmarking approaches, strategies, advisory methodologies, agile project management methods, and training concepts and systems
• Experience in preparing studies, concepts, and advisory products in the agriculture and food sectors
• Strong facilitation and moderation skills

We offer:

• A responsible technical leadership position with significant scope for initiative and professional development
• The opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary international team
• Close cooperation with high-level national and international partners
• Attractive contractual conditions
• Flexible working arrangements

Your application:

Please send your complete application, including your earliest possible start date and salary expectations, with the subject line “LTE 3 Kazakhstan (m/f/d)” to Ms. Stanimira Penkova, s.penkova@iakleipzig.de.

By submitting your application, you agree that, should your profile be suitable, we may include your details in our candidate pool and retain your data beyond the current recruitment process. If you do not wish us to do so, please indicate this explicitly in your application.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.