Seed systems advisor

Your job

Are you an experienced international agricultural development professional ready to become a leading advisor in seed systems?

Do you enjoy working at the intersection of agriculture, innovation, policy, institutions and markets? Would you like to help strengthen seed systems that improve farmers' access to quality seed of improved and locally adapted varieties and contribute to more resilient, equitable and sustainable food systems?

We welcome both established seed-systems experts and senior agricultural-development professionals with complementary expertise in areas such as agricultural innovation, agribusiness, food systems, value chain development, plant breeding, policy or institutional development. You bring either direct seed systems expertise or the ambition and demonstrated potential to develop into a leading seed systems advisor.

We are looking for someone who is open-minded, curious and comfortable working across diverse seed systems and stakeholder groups. You will work primarily in Africa and, where relevant, in Asia and Latin America, building trusted partnerships with farmer organisations, governments, research organisations, NGOs, development partners and a diversity of local, domestic and internationally operating seed companies and entrepreneurs. You will also help connect the strengths of the Dutch seed sector and international development ecosystem to seed sector transformation worldwide.

Key responsibilities:

The role combines programme leadership, technical advisory work, acquisition, relationship management and applied research. The balance will vary across programmes and over time, but programme management, technical advisory work and acquisition will form the core of the role.

• Designing, leading and implementing seed sector transformation programmes at national, regional and international levels. These may range from short-term advisory and applied research assignments to large programmes involving substantial budgets, multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, and international consortia.
• Ensuring high-quality programme delivery and effective risk management in collaboration with WSER's legal, financial, procurement and project management teams.
• Acting as a strategic knowledge partner in programmes, including those led by partner organisations, by co-creating knowledge and contributing expertise in evidence generation, programme learning and capacity strengthening.
• Applying systems thinking to analyse seed systems and translate evidence into practical institutional, market and policy innovations that strengthen them and contribute to food system transformation.
• Building long-term, reciprocal partnerships with public, private, research and civil-society actors across seed sectors.
• Facilitating policy dialogue and institutional change, and designing, piloting, scaling and institutionalising innovations across areas such as seed policy and regulation, quality assurance, variety development, seed business development, finance and public-private partnerships.
• Connecting international programmes with the Dutch Diamond approach by fostering collaboration between government, knowledge institutes, the private sector and civil society, and maintaining strategic relationships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, Fisheries and Nature, Plantum, SeedNL, Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and other Dutch partners.
• Leading the acquisition and development of new programmes through concept development, proposal writing, consortium building and donor engagement.
• Strengthening Wageningen Social & Economic Research's international profile through publications and knowledge products, and through participation in conferences and professional networks.

About the team

You will join the Food System Transformation team within Wageningen Social & Economic Research, working alongside around ten seed system professionals with diverse international backgrounds, expertise and experience. As an internationally recognised team in seed sector transformation, we combine scientific rigour with a strong commitment to translating knowledge into practice. Together, we support partners worldwide through programme management, strategic knowledge partnerships, applied research and institutional innovation.

Your qualities

To strengthen our team, we are looking for someone with:

• A Master's degree in agricultural sciences, plant sciences, economics, social sciences, international development or a related discipline. A PhD is considered an asset.
• At least eight years of relevant professional experience in agricultural development, food systems, seed systems, agribusiness or related fields.
• A systems-thinking mindset and the ability to analyse complex agricultural, institutional, policy and market challenges.
• Expertise in several areas relevant to seed sector transformation, such as agricultural innovation, seed systems, plant breeding, agribusiness, value chain development, institutional development, policy and regulation, market systems development or public-private partnerships. Direct seed-systems experience is an advantage but not essential.
• Proven experience leading complex international programmes involving substantial budgets, multiple partners and multidisciplinary teams.
• Professional experience working across multiple countries in Africa, preferably complemented by experience in Asia and/or Latin America.
• The ability to build trusted partnerships and work effectively with diverse stakeholders, from farmer organisations and governments to research institutes, development partners and domestic and international seed companies.
• A good understanding of, or strong affinity with, the Dutch seed sector and the Dutch ecosystem for international agricultural development, with the ability to connect Dutch knowledge, policy and partnerships to seed sector transformation.
• Excellent analytical, facilitation and communication skills, with an affinity for institutional innovation and organisational change.
• Experience in applied research and in publishing technical reports and/or scientific papers is considered an asset.
• Excellent spoken and written communication skills in both Dutch and English are essential. Dutch is required to engage effectively with government and stakeholders in the Netherlands, while English is the primary working language within the team and in most programmes and partnerships. Proficiency in French is considered an asset. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Arabic is an additional advantage.
• Willingness to travel internationally.

We offer

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• sabbatical leave, study leave, and partially paid parental leave;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed year-end bonus of 8,3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will of course receive a good salary. We offer, depending on your experience, a competitive gross salary of between €4.938,- and €7.337,- for a full-time working week of 36 hours, in accordance with the CLA Wageningen Research (scale 12). We initially offer a one-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the organisation’s financial situation.

We encourage development and internal mobility within our organisation. Our recruitment and selection policy sets out the conditions that apply specifically to you as a (former) employee. If you have any questions, we are happy to help.

Coming from abroad

Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Because we expect you to work and live in the Netherlands our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. If you come with a partner, we offer a Dual Career group program organized by our Welcome Center. This program helps your partner to get familiar with the Dutch culture, labour market and assists your partner to find a job.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Communitypage contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, our Welcome Center can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example housing, opening a bank account or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Important information

For more information about the position, Yeray Saavedra, Team Leader Food System Transformation, via yeray.saavedragonzalez@wur.nl . Questions about the procedure? Get in touch with Jouke van Oostenbrugge, Corporate Recruiter, via recruitment.ssg@wur.nl.

Ready to apply?
Click on the application button next to the vacancy on our website. Only applications submitted through our website will be considered.

You can apply up to and including 5 October 2026. Internal candidates are preferred to apply before 13 September 2026. Following the application deadline, we will move quickly to schedule interviews. Our goal is to welcome our new colleague on 1 December.

Applications are reviewed regularly. Therefore, the position may be filled before the stated closing date.

Procedure
As part of our selection process, an assessment may be incorporated within the procedure.

Welcome, safe, and valued
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.

We are

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.