Job Announcement
Field Agronomist (2 positions)
(Tanzanian National)
World Vegetable Center on behalf of IFDC undersigned hosting agreement is seeking to recruit Field Agronomist (2 positions) in Arusha/Dodoma.
About IFDC
IFDC is a public international organization active in 27 countries in Africa, Asia, and America. IFDC uniquely approaches the global issues of food security and poverty by bridging the gap between research and impact, combining science-based innovations, holistic market systems development, an enabling policy environment, and strategic partnerships to assist farmers and countries to identify and scale sustainable agricultural solutions, including improved nutrient use efficiency. These approaches are needed to boost soil health and crop productivity while reducing the environmental impact of fertilizer use. IFDC translates research into action by using locally driven, environmentally sound, and impact-oriented solutions. With our partners, we seek to close the yield gap, eradicate global hunger, safeguard the soil on which our lives depend, and generate economic resilience for farming households and the countries in which they live.
IFDC is currently seeking passionate individuals to join its team, as the organization continues to expand its impact and work towards creating positive changes in agriculture and sustainable soil management across the world.
Responsibilities
Assist the daily supervisor in identifying suitable and representative locations for establishment of on-farm or on-station trials. Collect soil and plant samples, label them properly and send to designated laboratories for chemical and physical analyses following the guidelines provided by the daily supervisor.
Interpret and implement research protocols by establishing the field experiments.
Ensure that logistics for establishment of trials are in place e.g., Procurement of the ingredients/nutrient and preparation of fertilizers blends, if needed
Interact with farmers, private sector, public institutions for establishment of on-farm research trials.
Prepare the workplan and submit to daily supervisor for approval.
Ensure timely monitoring, data collection, data processing and reporting from on-farm research trials.
Assist in publishing results in reputed scientific journals, technical reports and magazines.
Perform a variety of other related duties as required.
Job Requirements
- Minimum of a Master in Agronomy or Soil Science.
- More than 5 years of relevant research experience including on-farm fertilizers trials and soil management.
- Expertise in statistics, data management and plant physiology.
- Experience in both macro and micro crop nutrient research trials
- Proven record of published results from research trials in a peer-reviewed journals
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Reporting and Work Relationships
This position will report to SOILS -S2P head or his designee.
Location
The location for this will be IFDC Country office hosted by WoldVeg Center in Arusha.
The Reward:
This is a Nationally Recruited Staff position with competitive pay and benefits as per World Vegetable Center salary scheme. Theposition is only open to Tanzanian nationals. The initial appointment is for one year and may beextended depending on requirement, funding availability, and performance of the incumbent.
About Program/Project
The USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS) launched through IFDC’s Feed the Future Sustainable Opportunities for Improving Livelihoods with Soils (SOILS) program the 3-year Space to Place (S2P) initiative to improve the fertilizer (nutrient) use efficiency since October 2022. The S0ILS-S2P initiative will provide improved and localized soil fertility recommendations and support better access to fertilizers, organic sources to approximately A to 5 million small holders in key production systems in sub-Saharan Africa viz., in maize mixed, agro-pastoral, cereal-root crop mixed, and highland mixed systems. The initiative collaborates with various organizations such as ISRIC – World Soil Information, national and international research organizations, the private sector, and civil society organizations to update and fine-tune fertilizer recommendations using spatially-derived tools. Thus, the S0ILS-S2P initiative aims to boost nutrient use efficiency and maintain or exceed current productivity levels. The major outcome of the initiative will be developing site-specific, i.e, hyper localized, soil fertility and agronomic recommendations.
The candidate we hire will embody WorldVeg’s Five Core Values:
Supports the conduct of world-class science, respects ethical standards, and is committed to sharing results in a transparent manner.
Aspires to achieve positive, tangible, and lasting impact contributing to Sustainable Development Goals.
Believes in the value of partnerships to advance research for development. Respect the diversity of gender, culture, ethnic origin, religion, age, beliefs, and views.
Strives to minimize its environmental impact and to introduce greener technology and practices.
How to Apply: Applicants should submit a letter of application explaining their suitability for and interest in the position along with a curriculum vitae, names and addresses (including telephone/fax/e-mail) of three referees, and date of [email protected] or the job bank site before 30 November 2023.Please mention the position title in the subject line.
