Senior Agriculture Specialist- International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC)

The International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to spread sustainable agricultural solutions for improved soil health, food security, and livelihoods around the world.

Assam Agri-business and Rural Transformation Project (APART) aims to improve food and livelihood security of poor and marginal farmers, including women and youth in Assam by providing and increasing access to up-to-date and timely knowledge and technologies, and empowering the farmers for effective decision making, thereby closing yield gaps, improving nutrient use efficiency, and increasing farmers’ income, and the sustainability of farming system. The consistent efforts are being made to develop and evaluate innovative modern and climate resilient technologies best suited for Assam environment and promoted in the 23 project districts to improve the agri-food system in the state. Strengthening fertilizer sector and improving nutrient use efficiency system in the state are the key objectives of the program and focuses on assessment of fertilizer sector and policies, evaluation, demonstration and scaling up of several promising climate resilient fertilizer sources and technologies strengthening fertilizer value chain to enhance the efficiency of fertilizer sector and adoption of efficient fertilizer technologies to increase climate resilience, nutrient use efficiency, farm productivity for the welfare of the farmers.

Under the supervision of IFDC India Program Manager, this position therefore will work on strengthening the fertilizer sector and research-cum-demonstration on new climate smart fertilizer sources and technologies, design and promote models and innovations on fertilizer value chains, foster partnership, and strategic collaboration, develop business and funding and resource mobilization opportunities in the region.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Strategically plan for implementation and monitoring of ARIAS-IFDC Assam project activities to achieve the overall project goals.
• Develop work plans based on program objectives to define the team activities, plan specific outputs and milestones as reflected in the approved proposal in coordination with the country program management unit;
• Review and analyze progress of the defined objectives and propose recommendations to enhance performance of the institute in consultation with project team leader;
• Manage and guide the implementation of fertilizer sector review and research for development support activities to ensure timely data collection, management, analysis and dissemination of result and information.;
• Finalize draft reports for submission to team leader and stakeholders and technical literature to disseminate results;
• Contribute to development of Communication strategies;
• Sustain existing partnerships, create new associations and funding opportunities;
• Ensure oversight of risks and mitigation strategies to ensure delivery of the Project in line with agreed objectives.

Engagement:

• Develop and maintain the partnership with various stakeholders including FPOs/FPCs, DOA, AAU, ARIAS Society, CG centres, WB, ICAR institutes, and public-private organizations to implement project activities to meet the agreed project outputs and timelines;
• Maintain high level of engagement with public, civil and private sectors for development and delivery of technologies
• Collaborate within country partners and IFDC team including other project leaders and scientists to achieve the project milestones;
• Participate in institute wide activities and represent IFDC at various meetings and events;
• Oversight the project in liaison with IFDC India and HQ finance to ensure compliance

Delivery:

• Identify, develop and implement models and tools for promoting modern fertilizer sector related technologies/ interventions in the state;
• Ensure timely implementation of the on-field research for development activities as per workplan in the state;
• Organize and coordinate workshops, conferences, trainings and exposure visits for capacity building of partners and stakeholders;
• Prepare plans and finalize reports for submission to stakeholders and donors;
• Manage and implement the communication strategies and promote the dissemination of project findings through workshops and popular communication channels;
• Identification and creation of new associations and funding opportunities;
• Perform any other relevant duties as assigned from time to time by supervisor.

Key Performance Indicators:

• Timely delivery of quality program goals and milestones as per agreed work plan;
• Timely and quality reporting and submission to appropriate recipients;
• A strong positive relationship with team and key public/private institutions concerned with the development and delivery of technologies (functioning technical working group, review of technologies and links to key state dissemination programs for the technology scaling);
• A positive measurable shift in program being implemented through partners;
• Development & implementation of an effective Communication strategy;
• Creation of new associations and funding opportunities;
• Strong risk management measures & controls.

Required Skills

• PhD. in agriculture or closely related subject
• Minimum 5 years’ experience of working in an international or national repute organization.
• In depth knowledge of the agricultural development project having expertise in technology transfer, on soil and plant health and fertilizer sector
• Well versed with project management- workplan development, monitoring and evaluation, budget development and human resource
• Strong organizational and time management skills,
• Good computer skills (MS office: Word and Excel)
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in team as important player and take initiatives
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and has strong skills in planning and problem-solving
• Experience of interpreting data, research findings and preparing reports