CONTEXT
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Objective 2 Lead for the anticipated USAID/Nepal AIMS project. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project and the selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.
The AIMS Activity will use market systems approaches to improve the productivity, competitiveness, inclusivity, and resilience of Nepal’s agriculture sector. It will increase the systemic availability, accessibility, and sustainable use of four critical inputs: improved seed, fertilizer, irrigation, and agricultural equipment to transform smallholder farms and livelihoods, while improving their ability to adapt to the current shocks from the pandemic and improve their resilience to future shocks and the increasing stresses from climate change. The activity will incorporate cross-cutting components with private and public market system actors to increase digital capacity and access to finance. The activity is a Feed the Future (FtF) initiative aimed at reducing overall poverty, hunger, and malnutrition in 25 districts, with the greatest focus on women, youth, and members of marginalized farming communities.
USAID Nepal AIMS is a five-year activity with the following 4 objectives:
- Objective 1: Demand- and supply-responsive and financially viable seed system developed
- OBJECTIVE 2: SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT AND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM IMPROVED
- Objective 3: Climate adaptive and sustainable water management system enhanced
- Objective 4: Adoption of modern agricultural equipment increased
IFDC is seeking an OBJECTIVE 2 LEAD to manage implementation and provide technical oversight for programming related to improving soil fertility and fertilizer use and distribution.
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OBJECTIVE 2 LEAD
- Serve as the lead IFDC point of contact for the AIMS project. Understand and track all IFDC’s deliverables under this project, serve as IFDC communication focal point.
- Coordinate with the other component team members to plan, implement activities, monitor, and document the achievement of results as per the annual plan.
- Coordinate with IFDC and team members to provide strategic support (documented roadmap) for improving soil fertility management and fertilizer use/distribution in Nepal.
- Ensure daily management of project technical programming related to soil fertility and fertilizer.
- Assist the Deputy Chief of Party in the management and oversight of work plans an annual budget for Objective 2 related project activities.
- Provide technical leadership, oversight, and coordination related to Objective 2.
- Continually monitor contextual factors and risks that would impact implementation. Assist project management and leadership on corrective measures and adaptive approaches through management decision-making.
- Manage 4 junior staff responsible for each of the following subcomponents under Objective 2:
- 1: Fertilizer distribution system improved
- 2: Fertilizer subsidy mechanism made more effective and efficient
- 3: Fertilizer use efficiency enhanced
- 4: Commercialization of blended fertilizer increased
REPORTING
This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.
REQUIREMENTS
- Experience in soil fertility management; fertilizer production, blending and fertilizer distribution systems; fertilizer subsidy policy and enabling environment issues.
- At least 5 years of experience successfully leading management of technical components of complex, results based, rural agricultural development programs.
- Demonstrated experience (>3 years) in providing Technical Assistance to governments, development partners and private sector on soil and fertilizer issues.
- Demonstrated ability to organize advocacy and strengthen the capacity of private sector associations to advocate for a more favorable regulatory environment.
- Experience with market systems and private sector development principles.
- Experience working in Asia, preferably Nepal.
- Master’s degree in agriculture or related field required.
- Demonstrated ability in the concepts, principles, methods, and techniques of agricultural sector development activities, including training, capacity building, agribusiness development extension services and technical activities
- Demonstrated skills in effectively collaborating with host governments, regional institutions, donors, UN agencies, other development partner projects, local organizations, private companies and other partners.
- Ability to successfully manage and develop staff as demonstrated by past experience.
- Ability to manage partners, sub-contracts and grant making programs with all required reporting requirements
- Ability to perform internal control functions to manage day-to-day operations of the project
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally in small audience and large audience settings.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required
- This position is open to qualified Nepalese nationals only.
APPLY FOR THIS POSITION
To apply, please submit a copy of your CV, a Cover Letter and sign and upload a copy of the USAID 1420/biodata form (available at https://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/AID-1420-17-2.doc) and submit as MS Word documents. All three (3) MS Word documents should be submitted/uploaded together.
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Required Skills
Required Experience