OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FIELD OF BIOSAFETY

Biosafety Fellowship at the ICGEB

The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is currently offering a biosafety fellowship in the framework of its current capacity building initiative focused on sub-Saharan Africa. The ICGEB is an international, intergovernmental organisation conceived as a centre of excellence for research and training in genetic engineering and biotechnology with special regard to the needs of the developing world and has developed a comprehensive programme on biosafety, centred on capacity building and dissemination of scientific information.

The prime objective of the  initiative is to strengthen the ability of developing countries in sub-Saharan Africa to fully integrate into the worldwide effort to assure full and balanced consideration of biosafety issues in pursuing the appropriate uses of modern biotechnology in agriculture. This will be achieved, inter alia, by the establishment and staffing of satellite focal points of biosafety expertise in sub-Saharan Africa to support local and regional regulatory systems overseeing the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

The fellow will be trained, initially in ICGEB's Biosafety Unit, Trieste, Italy to become a “Biosafety Specialist” for the focal point in South Africa. Once re-located to the ICGEB-Cape Town component, s/he will help orchestrate the implementation of the initiative from within the African region, responding to the identified needs of the governments, local authorities and institutions involved. This will include, inter alia, carrying out face-to-face interviews with key personnel in the region, as well as organising and implementing regionally-based workshops, and accompanying delegations from sub-Saharan African Countries to regional and international biosafety meetings.

The fellowship is for a period of 2 years with an annual remuneration of 24,000 Euro per annum, and travel to and from the fellow’s country of origin or South Africa (whichever is most pertinent), as well as medical insurance for the duration of the fellowship, will be provided.

General Candidate Profile:

The ideal candidate will:

• be a national of a sub-Saharan African country (not necessarily currently based in Africa),
• hold an advanced degree (preferably a Ph.D. in a biotechnology-related field) and/or have at least two years of experience in the field of biosafety,
• have an acute awareness of regional biosafety-related issues,
• have experience in roles requiring consultative and analytical skills, for example, forming partnerships with individuals and organisations to enhance project goals,
• hold an English Language Proficiency Certificate (such as TOEFL, Cambridge Certificate or equivalent [non applicable when scholastic education has been conducted in English]),
• have exceptional written and oral communication skills, in positions requiring culturally sensitive communication with a broad and diverse audience; have demonstrated ability to work with flexibility, efficiency, and diplomacy both individually and as part of a team effort, and possess highest integrity,
• be able to travel as needs dictate,
• preferably be below the age of 40.

A completed application form - download the form: BSF Specialist (.doc) - BSF Specialist (PDF) - must be submitted on or before 29 May 2009.

Applications from women are particularly encouraged.

Further information can be obtained from the address below.

Send applications (preferably by Email) to:

ICGEB Biosafety Unit
Padriciano, 99
34012 Trieste
Tel. +39-040-3757320; Fax: +39-040-226555; Email: africabu@icgeb.org 

Download the PDF version of the Vacancy Notice