Greenhouse Technician

Job Posting Organization:
CIMMYT is a cutting-edge, non-profit, international organization dedicated to solving tomorrow's problems today. Established with a mission to enhance the quantity, quality, and dependability of production systems and basic cereals such as maize, wheat, triticale, sorghum, millets, and associated crops, CIMMYT operates primarily in the Global South. The organization focuses on applied agricultural science and builds strong partnerships to improve the livelihoods and resilience of millions of resource-poor farmers. With a commitment to creating a more productive, inclusive, and resilient agrifood system within planetary boundaries, CIMMYT plays a crucial role in agricultural research and development. For more information, visit cimmyt.org.

Job Overview:
The purpose of the Greenhouse Technician position is to support the operation and maintenance of breeding and phenotyping greenhouse and screenhouse facilities located in Bambey, Senegal. This role is integral to providing technical support for various activities related to plant breeding, plant pathology, disease screening, and crop improvement. The technician will ensure that greenhouse facilities operate efficiently and safely, adhering to established protocols. The position is designed to facilitate modern breeding strategies that accelerate genetic gain and enhance the impact of crop improvement programs, ultimately contributing to agricultural advancements in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Greenhouse Technician will be responsible for a variety of key tasks, including but not limited to:

• Managing the daily operations of the greenhouse and soil preparation areas, ensuring efficient workflow and access control.
• Operating and monitoring greenhouse environmental conditions, irrigation systems, and plant health.
• Supporting greenhouse, screenhouse, and nursery activities, including seedling establishment, transplanting, plant maintenance, and harvesting.
• Assisting with research activities involving sorghum, pearl millet, and groundnut, providing experimental support and maintaining related activity records.
• Managing soil preparation, substrate mixing, sterilization, and potting activities, ensuring proper disposal of used growing media and plant residues.
• Ensuring all greenhouse machines and equipment are serviced and operational, performing routine maintenance, and diagnosing basic electrical and equipment faults.
• Maintaining accurate inventories of greenhouse supplies, substrates, pots, equipment, and other stock items, while keeping records of stock usage and availability.
• Implementing and enforcing safety, biosafety, sanitation, and waste disposal procedures, supporting compliance with greenhouse safety guidelines.
• Maintaining accurate records of greenhouse operations, maintenance activities, sanitation logs, inventory, and research support activities, and reporting any operational, equipment, or plant health concerns for timely action. 1
• Performing any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
The successful candidate for the Greenhouse Technician position will possess a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, plant science, agricultural engineering, biosystems engineering, agricultural technology, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of relevant experience in greenhouse, nursery, or agricultural research facilities. Practical experience in greenhouse operations is highly desirable, along with experience in plant propagation, breeding, disease screening, or crop research. Knowledge of greenhouse operations, soil sterilization, irrigation systems, and plant management is essential. Candidates should also have basic plumbing and electrical troubleshooting skills, strong organizational, record-keeping, and problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to work independently as well as within multidisciplinary teams.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, plant science, agricultural engineering, biosystems engineering, agricultural technology, or a related field. This educational background is crucial for understanding the scientific principles and practical applications necessary for effective greenhouse management and agricultural research.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant experience in greenhouse, nursery, or agricultural research facilities. Practical experience in greenhouse operations is highly desirable, and candidates with experience in plant propagation, breeding, disease screening, or crop research will have a competitive advantage. This level of experience is essential for the technician to effectively support the various research and operational activities within the greenhouse.

Languages:
Working knowledge of English and French is highly desirable for this position. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate effective communication within the multicultural work environment and enhance collaboration with diverse teams and stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
This position is recruited locally, meaning that applicants must have the legal right to work in Senegal at the time of application. CIMMYT does not provide visa sponsorship or work permit support for locally recruited staff roles. The organization offers competitive international compensation packages and fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.