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IFDC- International Fertilizer Development Jobs Apply

Technical Lead - Coalition of Implementers for Fertilizer and Soil Health



Current Job Openings --> Full Time --> Full Time Africa

Nairobi
 • 
ID: 20121353
 • 
Full-Time/Regular

About The Coalition

 

The Coalition of Implementors for Fertilizers and Soil Health, launched at the African Fertilizers and Soil Health (AFSH) Summit in May 2024, is a united group of stakeholders – which includes the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) representing the CGIAR through the Excellence in Agronomy Initiative – that will build on the significant donor interest generated through the Dakar 2 Summit, the Lomé Declaration, and the AFSH Summit and help convert opportunities into programs on the ground. The Coalition is dedicated to advancing climate-smart agricultural technologies and supporting smallholder farmers across Africa; and contributes to the implementation of the Action Plan and Soil Initiative for Africa.  We work with a network of stakeholders, including the African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional economic communities, to drive agricultural productivity, climate adaptation, and agricultural value chains. Our mission is to develop new technologies, build institutional capacity, and unlock donor funding for large-scale agricultural programs

 

Position Summary 

 

IFDC is recruiting on behalf of the coalition for the above position. The Technical Lead will provide expert guidance and leadership on technical aspects related to soil health and fertilizer use. This role involves developing and overseeing the implementation of technical strategies, ensuring the coalition’s initiatives are based on sound science and best practices. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in soil science, agronomy, or a related field, with experience in project management and stakeholder engagement. 

 

Responsibilities 

 

  1. Technical Leadership: 

  • Develop and implement technical strategies and plans to support the coalition’s objectives. 

  • Provide expert advice on soil health, fertilizer use, and sustainable agricultural practices. 

  • Ensure all technical activities are based on the latest scientific research and best practices.  

 

  1. Project Management:  

 

  • Oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of technical projects and initiatives.  

  • Coordinate with coalition members and partners to ensure project goals are met.  

  • Manage project budgets and timelines, ensuring efficient use of resources.  

 

  1. Research and Development:  

 

  • Conduct and oversee research related to soil health and fertilizer use.  

  • Collaborate with research institutions and universities to advance knowledge in the field.  

  • Publish and present research findings to stakeholders and the broader community.  

 

  1. Capacity Building:  

 

  • Develop and deliver training programs and workshops for coalition members and stakeholders.  

  • Provide technical support and guidance to partners on best practices in soil health and fertilizer use.  

  • Build the technical capacity of the coalition to ensure long-term sustainability.  

 

  1. Monitoring and Evaluation:  

 

  • Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the impact of technical initiatives.  

  • Analyze data and report on the effectiveness of projects and programs.  

  • Use findings to improve and adapt technical strategies and activities.  

 

  1. Stakeholder Engagement:  

 

  • Engage with stakeholders, including farmers, government agencies, NGOs, and private sector partners, to promote best practices and collaborative solutions.  

  • Represent the coalition at technical meetings, conferences, and public forums.  

  • Foster partnerships and networks to support the coalition’s technical work.  

 

  1. Policy & Advocacy:  

 

  • Provide technical input to support policy development and advocacy efforts.  

  • Engage with policymakers to promote policies that support sustainable fertilizer use and soil health improvement.  

  • Contribute to the development of policy briefs, reports, and other advocacy materials.  

 

 

 

Reporting and Work Relationships 

 

This position will report to the Executive Director. 

 

Location 

 

This is a national recruitment with a duty station in the IFDC office based in Nairobi, Kenya. 

 

Benefits 

 

IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits. 

 

Salary Clause 

 

The salary grade for this position is BG 10 with a proposed starting salary of KES 478,677 gross per month.

The determination of new employee salaries takes into account various factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate's qualifications in relation to the job's responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations. 

 

Diversity Clause 

 

IFDC is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion, and offers equal employment opportunities based on ability, performance, and potential. Equal opportunity is integral to the recruitment and selection practices at IFDC. IFDC recognizes the value in recruiting employees with different backgrounds, knowledge, experiences, perspectives, and beliefs. IFDC recognizes and values the contribution of people with a diverse background in capabilities, experience, and perspectives. Diversity encompasses gender, age, experience, education, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and cultural backgrounds as well as other dimensions such as lifestyle and family responsibilities. 

 

About Program/Project 

 

There are several ongoing initiatives that need to be operationalized. 

 

The Dakar 2 Summit, Feed Africa: Food Sovereignty and Resilience, organized by the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) in early 2023, generated the strong political will of African Heads of State and development investment support to urgently deliver climate-smart agricultural technologies to millions of farmers, structured around the development of "Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts." 

 

The Lomé Declaration on Fertilizers and Soil Health in West Africa and the Sahel, signed in May 2023 under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the resulting Roadmap, developed under the auspices of the World Bank in anticipation of the Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health (AFSH) Action Plan, laid out actions and commitments to implement the AFSH Action Plan in the ECOWAS region. 

 

The African Union’s 10-year Action Plan and the Soil Initiative for Africa was endorsed at the AFSH Summit held in Nairobi in May 2024, and this will generate significant donor interest and investments, which form an unprecedented opportunity to help Africa meet its food security and soil health challenges. 

 

The Coalition, launched at the AFSH Summit in May 2024, is a united group of stakeholders – which includes the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) representing the CGIAR through the Excellence in Agronomy Initiative – that will build on the significant donor interest generated through the Dakar 2 Summit, the Lomé Declaration, and the AFSH Summit and help convert opportunities into programs on the ground. Specifically, this would include: 

  • Work with the African Union, ECOWAS, and other regional economic communities (RECs) and stakeholders to drive agricultural productivity and inclusive agricultural transformation that supports smallholder farmers, climate adaptation, and agricultural value chains. 

  • Develop a unique value proposition for donors and thereby unlock funds for large-scale programs.  

  • Multiply impact, transfer knowledge, and harmonize actions across the region.  

  • Support institutional and human capacity building of key stakeholders.  

  • Develop new technologies to meet emerging global challenges. 


Required Experience

 

  • Master’s degree or Ph.D. in soil science, agronomy, environmental science, or a related field. 

  • At least 10 years of experience in technical roles related to soil health and fertilizer use, with a strong track record of project management.  

  • In-depth knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, soil science, and fertilizer management.  

  • Experience in research, data analysis, and publishing scientific papers.  

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.  

  • Strong organizational and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.  

  • Proficiency in relevant software and tools for project management and data analysis.  

  • Experience in working in multi-cultural environment and proficiency in both English and French would be preferred.  

  • Willingness to travel as required.  

 

Apply

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