Jobs at The International Fertilizer Development Center

Job Title:  Agronomist

PPG seeks to recruit for its client, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) which is a Public International Organization 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 its 4-year CATALIST-Uganda Project, funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala.

Job Summary: The IFDC Agronomist will develop and disseminate intensified, sustainable production methods for smallholder farmers for the projects priority commodity—sunflower, soybean & cassava—as well as crops grown in association with rice (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. The Agronomist will be expected to work with partners to develop and disseminate trainings on profitable production methods.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Pro-actively 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 other 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
• Link with the private sector and colleagues to enhance farmer access to quality agro-inputs
• Work with regional agribusiness cluster specialists

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• The ideal 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 commercial production of sunflower, soybean & cassava
• Familiarity with the establishment and management of out grower schemes
• Farming-as-a-business experience
• Good knowledge and understanding of  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
• Excellent communication and reporting skills in English
• Good computer literacy  skills: Microsoft Office, internet communications
• Fluency in language(s) in region of operation
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel extensively in region of assignment

How to Apply for the job: 

If interested in working in the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

in the above portfolio, please send your CV and cover letter with three work related references to the address or e-mail below. Please mark your application: “PPG – Agronomist.” E-mails must not exceed 2 MB.

NB: While we thank all applicants for your interest, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. Any form of lobbying will lead to automatic disqualification.

People Performance Group, Plot 8 Kitante Close, Kitante P.O. Box 12405, Kampala – Uganda.

E-mail: application@ppg.co.ug

Deadline: April 25, 2014 by 5pm.