Project Manager: Agrobiodiversity 70%

For our plant division, we are looking for a project manager: agrobiodiversity, 70%, starting in November/December 2026 or by agreement. The Swiss ProSpecieRara foundation is committed, together with a network of breeders and variety curators, to the conservation and promotion of rare vegetable, fruit, berry, and ornamental plant varieties as well as livestock breeds. The use of rare varieties in agricultural practice is part of the conservation concept. The headquarters is located in Wildegg AG. You are committed to the diversity of agricultural crop species and varieties with enthusiasm. You are aware of the importance of agrobiodiversity for sustainable agriculture in the context of current challenges from climate change and the seed market. You follow the biodiversity promotion measures of the federal government, cantons, or production labels and recognize the importance of variety and breed diversity in agrobiodiversity. You are a team player, flexible, independent, communicative, proactive, curious, and sociable, and you have a pronounced joy in participatory work in networks. You bring the commitment to cultivated variety and species diversity into these networks with enthusiasm, prudence, and a sense of the whole. Your heart beats for local varieties and their culinary uniqueness, which you make equally popular among farmers and chefs. You understand how to grasp the product qualities of niche varieties and formulate them for different purposes. You have in-depth experience with certain crop groups and yet acquire specialist knowledge from other areas with pleasure and convey your know-how across cultures. Your tasks You will supervise projects in teamwork with the following tasks: • Carrying out variety tests in cooperation with businesses, specialist partners, variety conservators, and the gardeners of the ProSpecieRara team. • Scientific evaluation of varieties under different cultivation conditions in the local to national environment. • Participation in plant selection and other participatory projects • Network activation through the management of workshops with partners from agriculture and gastronomy as well as contacts with other partner organizations and authorities • Support and consulting for agricultural businesses in building up seed/plant material, products, and their marketing. • Building and conveying knowledge and contacts along the entire value chain • Carrying out tastings for the analytical quality description of varieties • Data collection and processing for various databases • Insight into the scientific environment and exchange with it for the enrichment and further dissemination of know-how on agrobiodiversity topics. • Regular project management work and development of new projects. • Information on varieties and topics of the specialist field as well as lectures, guided tours, and text contributions for publications and media inquiries You bring • Education at the Bachelor or Master level, preferably with a background in agroecology, vegetable/field crop production, horticulture, fruit production, organic farming, or comparable agronomic topic areas • Professional experience in one or more of these topic areas • Flair for culinary quality characteristics of products and their processing • Mother tongue German, English and French language skills in word and writing, preferably also Italian language skills • Good IT skills and experience working with databases (Filemaker) • Independent and responsible work • Coordination and organizational talent • High social competence and team ability You will find a varied activity with us in an NGO with flexible working hours and the opportunity to shape your area. You are part of an committed, active team at our headquarters in Wildegg, where you will work the main part of your duties. A part of your duties can also be done in a home office (approx. 1 day/week). Contact person for further information: Philipp Holzherr, Co-Head of Plant Division, Tel. dir. 061 545 99 23 (Mon to Thu). Please send your complete application documents (CV incl. salary specification, certificates, letter of motivation) by July 31, 2026, in electronic form to: ProSpecieRara, Nadja Kalmbach-Wyss, hr@prospecierara.ch The job interview will take place on August 11, August 17, or August 18, 2026, in Wildegg. We look forward to your application! Möriken-Wildegg Permanent position Published on 06.07.2026