Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist - Soil Value – Office of program - Nigeria

About IFDC

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.

We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Our Values

We are guided by four core principles:

Collaborate – We work across teams, countries and partners to create lasting impact.

Innovate – We apply evidence and continuous learning to design practical and responsible solutions.

Include – We promote equity and meaningful participation for women, youth and underrepresented groups.

Act with Integrity – We steward resources responsibly, uphold transparency and remain accountable to the communities, partners, staff and donors who place their trust in us.

Position Summary 

The Country Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist provides country-level technical leadership for the design, implementation, monitoring, and scaling of integrated soil fertility management interventions. The position ensures that soil health, crop nutrition, organic resource management, improved germplasm, sound agronomic practices, climate resilience, and inclusive market approaches are translated into practical and locally appropriate solutions for farmers. The Specialist works with public institutions, research and extension services, private-sector actors, producer organizations, and development partners to strengthen capacities, generate evidence, and support the adoption of sustainable soil fertility practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the country ISFM portfolio, including technical design, planning, implementation, quality assurance, and review, in alignment with program objectives, national priorities, and IFDC standards.  

• Provide technical expertise on ISFM, covering soil health, site-specific nutrient management, efficient fertilizer use, organic amendments, improved germplasm, water management, and climate-smart agronomic practices.  

• Coordinate evidence generation and validation through soil and crop diagnostics, adaptive research, on-farm trials, demonstrations, and documentation of locally appropriate ISFM practices and technologies.  

• Develop capacities and practical ISFM solutions by translating technical evidence into farmer-oriented packages, guidelines, training materials, advisory tools, and capacity-building activities for extension, private-sector, and producer partners.  

• Strengthen partnerships and sustainable delivery models with Program partners, government, research and extension institutions, private sector, financial institutions, development partners, and farmer organizations to support access to bundle services integrating inputs, services, technologies, and markets.  

• Support learning, reporting, and scaling, including results monitoring, technical reporting, knowledge management, integration of GESI and climate resilience, representation in technical platforms, and scaling of proven ISFM approaches. 

Requirements

• Master’s degree in soil science, agronomy, crop nutrition, natural resource management, or another closely related field; a doctorate is an advantage; 

• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in soil fertility management, soil health, crop nutrition, or agricultural development, including significant field experience in West Africa; 

• Demonstrated technical expertise in ISFM, soil and plant diagnostics, nutrient management planning, mineral and organic fertilizers, improved germplasm, fertilizer-use efficiency, and climate-smart agriculture; 

• Proven experience designing, supervising, and analyzing on-farm trials, demonstrations, surveys, extension activities, and capacity-building programs; 

• Ability to interpret soil, crop, agronomic, and monitoring data and translate findings into clear recommendations for farmers, extension personnel, policymakers, and private-sector partners; 

• Strong experience building partnerships with government institutions, research organizations, universities, development partners, private companies, service providers, and producer organizations; 

• Excellent project coordination, work planning, budgeting, facilitation, analytical, technical writing, presentation, and stakeholder-engagement skills; 

• Good command of common office applications and experience with data-management, statistical, geographic information system, or digital advisory tools is an advantage; 

• Sound knowledge of the target country’s agricultural institutions, farming systems, fertilizer sector, soil fertility constraints, and rural development context; 

• Fluency in French and strong professional proficiency in English; proficiency in relevant national languages is an advantage.

Reporting and Work Relationships

The Integrated Soil Fertility Management Specialist reports to the Soil Values Country Manager Nigeria or another designated technical supervisor and works in close coordination with the program team. The position collaborates functionally with IFDC soil health, agronomy, market systems, gender and youth, monitoring and evaluation, communications, finance, and operations colleagues, as well as consortium partners, government services, research institutions, private-sector actors, service providers, and producer organizations. 

Location

This is a nationally recruited position based in the IFDC office in Kano. The position requires frequent travel to project implementation areas and occasional regional travel.

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 9 with a monthly salary of USD 2,598.90.  

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 a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.