Colleagues,

Three years ago we changed the titles of scientific positions and put in place a promotion mechanism for the scientific cadre of ILRI.

Beyond the post-doctoral category, the three scientific titles were changed from Scientific 1, Scientist 2 and Scientist 3 to Scientist, Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist respectively. Each category has very clear benchmarks against which applications for promotion are assessed.

Each year since then, the Director General announces a call for applications for promotion. Along with the call, a Promotions Committee is set up by POD (Chaired by the DDG – Integrated Sciences) to review the applications and make recommendations  for approval by the Director General. We have had three such calls since the creation of this process and, although a bit late this time round, I am very pleased to announce the promotions from the 2015 call.

They are:

From Senior Scientist to Principal Scientist

• Augustine Ayuntunde
• Berhanu Gebremedhin

From Scientist to Senior Scientist

• Todd Crane
• Lance Robinson
• Sirak  Bahta
• Tadelle Dessie

Please join me in congratulating these outstanding individuals who are being promoted, and also in thanking them for their hard work, dedication and valuable contributions to ILRI.

I am aware that there are many who applied for promotion but did not succeed this time round. The process includes guidance on how their applications and credentials could be strengthened to meet the promotions criteria in the future. I would like the individuals who did not succeed this time to know that their contributions to the Institute are valued as much and that I look forward to announcing their promotions in the future.

I will issue another call for applications for 2016 promotions imminently. Similar to what has been done for scientific staff, work is ongoing on career paths for nonscientific staff and on how promotions in those categories will be implemented.

With best wishes,

Jimmy Smith | Director General