CONTEXT
The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is currently seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Agriculture Inputs and Policy Specialist 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 a senior level AGRICULTURE INPUTS AND POLICY SPECIALIST to provide technical oversight for programming related to agriculture inputs, the enabling environment, and related policy.
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE AGRICULTURE INPUTS AND POLICY SPECIALIST
- Coordinate with IFDC and other component team members to provide strategic support (documented roadmap) for improving access to quality agriculture inputs and developing the enabling environment and policies to support agriculture inputs in Nepal.
- Ensure daily management of project technical programming related to agriculture inputs and policy.
- Assist the Deputy Chief of Party in the management and oversight of work plans and annual budget for input and policy related activities.
- Provide technical leadership, oversight, and coordination related to inputs and policy.
- 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.
REPORTING
This position reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.
REQUIREMENTS
- Experience in agriculture inputs; 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 agriculture input 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 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.
Required Skills
Required Experience