Soil Fertility Expert

Job Description

IFDC seeks to recruit a Soil Fertility Expert to be based in Accra, Ghana or Nairobi, Kenya and reports to the Deputy Director, Field Research, based in Nairobi. Working closely with project Chiefs of Parties, Team Leaders and technical staff, the Soil Fertility Expert will support the projects’ productivity objectives of sustainable and profitable increases in agricultural productivity and product quality in the developing world, while safeguarding the natural resource base on which many small-scale producers depend. This work focuses on the introduction and use of best agricultural practices, with specific attention to integrated soil fertility management (ISFM), defined as a set of soil fertility management practices adapted to local conditions that will maximize agronomic use efficiency of nutrients and improve crop productivity. Such practices include the use of balanced mineral fertilizer, soil amendments (lime, rock phosphate, organic inputs), improved germplasm, agro-forestry and the use of rotations or intercropping with legumes. As many IFDC programs also have a strong agribusiness component, the Soil Fertility Expert will stimulate demand for technical interventions in the context of a market driven value chain approach concept. The Soil Fertility Expert will also contribute to IFDC’s research agenda and publications related to fertilizer technology and market development.

The Soil Fertility Expert is open to nationals from Kenya or West Africa, as well as international applicants.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and vision to fertilizer initiatives for IFDC African projects.
• Provide day-to-day management in the implementation of soil fertility initiatives by supervising and supporting project leaders.
• Ensure that IFDC’s ag-productivity projects result in economically, environmentally and socially sustainable impact.
• Contribute expertise to the IFDC projects to ensure effective diffusion of methodologies and prototype technologies.
• Support the Director of Field Programs in the expansion of the project portfolio through development of new projects.
• Establish and maintain contacts with national and regional governments, partners, and donors involved in fertilizer development initiatives.
• Represent IFDC in national, regional, and international fora, present program activities, approaches, and accomplishments in such fora, and write and publish reports and articles on results from soil fertility initiatives.
• Perform other duties as required.

Required Experience

• Masters or PhD with proven and widely recognized experience in agronomy, soil science, and innovation studies related to agriculture or any related field, with at least 5 years of relevant work experience in Africa
• Ability to work in Excel, Word, and Powerpoint, and experience with statistical analytical software.
• Proven leadership skills; ability to work collaboratively in multi-cultural environments and in interdisciplinary team
• Experience in soil and plant analysis a plus
• A commitment to and experience in community-based, participatory, field-oriented research and experiential learning approaches.
• An ability to apply systems perspectives to soil fertility management issues
• A distinguished record of research and publications
• A track record in successful development of donor funded projects
• Experience in budget development and expenditure monitoring
• Excellent communication and reporting skills, including technical writing and PowerPoint presentations
• In addition to fluency in English, preference for fluency or good working knowledge of French.
• Willing to travel extensively in Africa

About the Organization

The Organization:

IFDC is a nonprofit, science-based organization working to alleviate global hunger and poverty by improving sustainable agricultural productivity. IFDC enables smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase agricultural productivity, generate economic growth, and practice environmental stewardship by enhancing their ability to manage mineral and organic fertilizers responsibly and participate profitably in input and output markets.

IFDC was established in 1974 in response to the twin crises of food insecurity and rising energy prices. IFDC is governed by an international board of directors and supported by bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, private enterprises and foundations and Headquartered in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA.

IFDC Field Programs manages IFDC’s field activities in over 20 countries in Africa and Asia through three regional offices in Accra, Nairobi and Dhaka covering respectively: West Africa, East and Southern Africa, and Asia.

www.IFDC.org