Job Profile
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: CWR Country Programme Officer
Post No: 8036
Band: D
Job family: Science and Scientific Information
Directorate: Science
Section/Dept: Collecting & Network Support/Seed
Conservation Department (SCD)
No. of Indirect Reports: 0
No. of Direct Reports: 0
Reports to (Position): International Projects Co-ordinator
Job Purpose:
To deliver Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Kew’s mission by supporting the development and
implementation of RBG Kew’s Breathing Planet Programme through Seed Conservation Department’s
operational partnerships, networks and projects with a particular emphasis on those that deliver plant
conservation, sustainable utilisation of plant resources in the food and agriculture area, and habitat
restoration. The role enables RBG Kew to identify and create opportunities to form partnerships and
projects to contribute to RBG Kew’s Breathing Planet Programme, to gain access to plant diversity on
mutually agreed terms, and to strengthen the academic and technical networks that underpin RBG Kew’s
long term partnerships.
Job Context:
The CWR Country Programme Officer is line-managed by the International Projects Co-ordinator and is a
member of the ‘Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change’ (Crop Wild Relatives) project team within the
Collecting & Network Support Section. Members of this Section have responsibilities for negotiation of
partnership agreements, for management of externally funded projects to deliver conservation and
sustainable use outcomes, and for transfer of technology and achievement of international seed
conservation standards as part of the development of the international Millennium Seed Bank Partnership
across more than 50 countries. The ‘Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change’ Project is a flagship project of
the Millennium Seed Bank. It is supported by the Government of Norway and managed by RBG Kew jointly
with the Global Crop Diversity Trust. Kew’s role in this project is to provide technical support in seed
viability and seed longevity; to negotiate and set up country partnerships and work programmes for the
collecting of nearly 500 priority crop wild relatives under-represented in existing gene bank collections, to
organise the collection of seed from those priority crop wild relatives; and to provide samples of seed
material for research and pre-breeding by partners.
The role is designed to help implement the “Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change” project and to fulfil
RBG Kew’s response to the need to adapt agriculture to climate change. The specific role of this post is to
support the RBG Kew project team in the negotiation with country partners, with the aim to set up
agreements and to establish detailed work programmes to collect priority crop wild relatives. The post
holder will develop and manage country programmes to collect crop wild relatives particularly in Asian
countries.
Accountabilities:
1.
Help develop relationships, set up agreements and establish detailed work programmes to collect
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priority crop wild relatives in countries identified as priority countries for CWR collecting, particularly
in Asia.
2.
Implement, monitor & report on individual country projects, ensure all data and material transferred to
RBG Kew complies with Kew and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture (ITPGRFA) policies and procedures.
30%
3.
Facilitate partner preparation of project budgets.
15%
4.
As part of the country agreements and work programmes, identify training and development needs
and incorporate these into the projects. Help deliver seed conservation and collecting training in
partner countries.
10%
5.
Complete other project related tasks as required to ensure the project proceeds following the
workplan.
5%
6.
Other representational and departmental responsibilities as required to promote RBG Kew and the
Millennium Seed Bank Partnership.
5%
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities: All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
1.
.
Personal travel and subsistence expenditure.
Position within the Team – insert or attach a simple organogram of the position including line manager, work
colleagues and direct reports
Head of CNS Section
International Projects Co-ordinator
Crop Wild Relatives
Project Assistant
CWR Country
Programme Officer
Crop Wild Relatives
Project Co-ordinator
Collecting Guide
Compiler
Crop Wild Relatives
Communication Assistant
Job Description Agreed
Job Holder
................................................................
Date ............................................
Line Manager (F7) or above
................................................................
Date ............................................
(Signatures)
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Section 2: Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential
MSc, MA, or equivalent, in Agriculture, Geography, Botany, Conservation or closely related discipline
A thorough understanding of plant conservation and biodiversity
Experience with international partnerships and cross-cultural interaction in countries other than the country of
residence, preferably in Asia
Experience in project development
Demonstrable international project management experience
Significant relevant experience of working in a scientific team with multiple external partners
Desirable
PhD in an agricultural or biological subject
Demonstrable experience in negotiating complex projects or work programmes
Experience of organising and chairing scientific workshops and leading meetings
Experience in providing technical training in an international context
Sound knowledge and practical experience of seed banking
Job Specific Competencies – skills and abilities specific to the job
Essential
Ability to influence and negotiate with staff at different levels in order to ensure achievement of project and programme
goals.
Highly developed interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people
internally and externally and in a different cultural context.
Ability to write concisely and accurately to a high standard of English.
Ability to communicate effectively in one major Asian language in addition to English (for example Thai, Malay, or
Vietnamese)
Excellent personal organisation skills including the ability to prioritise and manage multiple work streams.
Ability to undertake travel inside and outside of the UK.
Proficiency with standard computing software (e.g. Microsoft Office applications) and internet resources.
Desirable
Capable of motivating project teams in country.
Able to exercise good judgement in terms of estimating and budgeting activities.
Kew Competency Framework: The Framework identifies behaviours required for roles at different levels. Which
are the key competencies for this job? Select up to four essential competencies
Competency
1.Leading and Influencing
Essential ()

2.Developing High Performance
3.Collaboration
4.Thinking with Vision
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
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5.Making Effective Decisions
6. Delivering Value for money
7. Making things happen

8. Delivering in Partnership

9. Changing with Pace
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