Field Assistant – Trials Job Vacancy at World Vegetable Center

Field Assistant – Trials Job Vacancy at World Vegetable Center

Field Assistant – Trials

World Vegetable Center, Tanzania 

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.

WorldVeg seeks to recruit Field Assistant to support vegetable germplasm regeneration, characterization, and seed post-harvest activities, ensuring the production and maintenance of high-quality, genetically authentic seed. The incumbent will be based in the Center’s regional office for Eastern and Southern Africa in Arusha, Tanzania.

Key Responsibilities:

Implement vegetable germplasm regeneration and characterization activities in strict accordance with approved genebank Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical guidelines, and experimental protocols.
Ensure accurate labeling, documentation, and tracking of genebank accessions throughout regeneration, characterization, harvesting, and post-harvest handling processes to maintain genetic identity and traceability.
Collect, record, and manage data on morphological and agronomic traits, including high-quality photographic documentation, following prescribed data standards.
Collect and properly prepare plant samples (e.g., leaves, seeds, and other tissues) for laboratory analysis, ensuring correct labeling (e.g., timely submission).
Prepare, compile, and submit complete and accurate trial data sets and summary reports to the supervisor at the end of each production cycle.
Supervise routine field management activities, including irrigation, fertilizer application, weeding, staking, pest and disease monitoring, and implementation of integrated pest and disease management practices.
Supervise and coordinate casual laborers during land preparation, planting, crop maintenance, harvesting, and post-harvest operations to ensure timely and quality task execution.
Ensure proper harvesting, drying, cleaning, processing, and temporary storage of regenerated seed to maintain high physical purity, physiological quality, and genetic integrity.
Support additional genebank operations, including seed processing, seed health integrity testing, germination testing, inventory management, and related activities, as requested.
Comply with institutional safety, biosafety, and phytosanitary regulations in all field and post-harvest activities.
Perform any other duties related to genebank operations as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications and Competencies (Technical and Behavioral)

Minimum BSc in Agriculture with a major in horticulture, or a related field.
Minimum one year experience in vegetable field trials, or related collection.
An experience with field layout of experimental designs is an added advantage.
Good knowledge of plant physiology, diseases, and insect-pests of vegetable crops.
Good writing skills and ability to communicate in English.
Good knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word and Excel.
Note: This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (NRS) position.

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 Respect 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 a letter of application explaining their suitability for and interest in the position along with a curriculum vitae (including telephone and e-mail), a recent passport-size photograph, names and addresses (including telephone and e-mail) of three referees, and date of availability to info-esa@worldveg.org or the job bank site before 16 March 2026. Please mention the position title in the subject line. The initial appointment is for six months and may be extended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.