Job Title: Deputy Project Coordinator -Policy and Advocacy Organisation: International…
Agronomists – CATALIST – Uganda Project
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization (PIO) governed by an international board of directors with representation from developed and developing nations. The non-profit center focuses on increasing and sustaining food and agricultural productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise. IFDC is recruiting staff for the 4-year CATALIST-Uganda Project, funded by DGIS through the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala.
IFDC is recruiting 3 Agronomists to be based in 3 regional offices. The role of the agronomists is to develop and disseminate intensified, sustainable production methods for smallholder farmers for priority commodities—Irish potato, cassava, rice (particularly paddy rice) and sunflower—as well as crops grown in association with these crops (usually as rotations). These offices will likely be located in Kabale (Irish potato), Lira (sunflower and cassava), and in eastern Uganda (Iganga or Mbale; rice and cassava). Dissemination is primarily through interaction with government and non-government partners, including farmer organizations, agro-input dealers, NGOs, international research organizations, and government research and extension.
The focus is on commercial, sustainable production to achieve marketable surpluses, and to reduce production costs. Commercial production will involve the use of fertilizers, organic matter management, improved germplasm, and good farming practices, which may include crop rotations/intercrops, crop/livestock integration, weed and pest control measures, minimum tillage, water harvesting, and erosion control measures. Farming-as-a-business skills are necessary, such as the ability to make farm budgets and evaluate the profitability of technical interventions. Agronomists should have extensive experience in growing one or more of the priority crops, and knowledge of cropping systems in their area of operation. They will be expected to work partners to develop and disseminate trainings on profitable production methods.
Required Skills
· Participate in the development of simple, direct training materials, suited to both farmers and extension staff.
· Conduct quality training-of-trainers as well as direct farmer training.
· Work with partners to assure a high level of farmer adoption of commercialized farming practices
· Assure demonstration plots are well-implemented, and field days are well-organized and attended
· Work with partners to assure accurate data collection (yields, farmer adoption levels)
· Identify production constraints or bottlenecks and develop means to address them.
· Work with regional agribusiness cluster specialists
Required Experience
· Honors degree in Crop Science/Agronomy
· Minimum 3 years experience with a recognized organization in agronomy or crop science, with extensive experience in farmer training
· Specific knowledge of one commercial production of one or more of the following: Irish potato, cassava, paddy rice, and/or sunflower
· Familiarity with the establishment and management of out grower schemes
· Farming-as-a-business experience
· Familiarity with post-harvest handling and storage a plus
· Ability to communicate effectively with value-chain actors at all levels involved in the project and to stimulate a genuinely participatory process
· Ability to coordinate training programs, field days, and other events
· Ability to work independently and to take initiative
· Good communication and reporting skills in English
· Computer skills: Microsoft Office, internet communications
· Fluency in language(s) in region of operation
· Demonstrated ability to work in a team; strong interpersonal skills
· Willingness to travel extensively in region of operation
How to apply:
Complete position descriptions and application procedures can be found on the internet at https://ifdc.silkroad.com/ifdc/Employment_Listings.html
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