Agronomist Job Career at The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

  Agriculture Jobs in Uganda, NGO - Non-Government Organisations Jobs in Uganda, Uncategorized
Organisation: International
Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
Funding Source: Embassy
of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Duty Station:  Mbale,
Uganda
About IFDC:
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.
About CATALIST Project:
IFDC is recruiting staff for
the 4-year CATALIST-Uganda Project, funded by DGIS through the Embassy of the
Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala. The project aims to enable over 110,000
Uganda smallholder farm families to produce and market potatoes, cassava, rice,
soybean and sunflower on a commercial scale.
Job Summary: The Regional
Agronomist will 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). 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 to develop and disseminate trainings
on profitable production methods.
Key Duties and Responsibilities: 
  • Take
    part in the development of simple, direct training materials, suited to
    both farmers            and
    extension staff.
  • Carry
    out 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
    closely 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
Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 
  • The
    candidate should hold an Honors degree in Crop Science/Agronomy
  • At
    least three 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
  • Possess
    the 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
    literacy 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: 
 All candidates should endeavour to Apply Online
by clicking on the link below. Follow the instructions on how to create resume
and Apply
Deadline: 30th September, 2014

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