TAAT Technology Transfer Officer at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Tracking Code: 20120380

Background

• IFDC North and West Africa is seeking to recruit a dynamic and highly innovative Technology Transfer Officer for the implementation of its TAAT Soil Fertility Compact. A flagship initiative of the African Development Bank, the “Multinational – Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT)” program strives to radically transform African agriculture into a business by deploying new crop and livestock productivity-increasing technologies across Africa.
• TAAT’s priority intervention areas are commodity/livestock value chains (rice, wheat, cassava, sorghum, millet, potato) as well as enablers that address cross cutting issues. IFDC provides leadership for the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact to deliver improved soil fertility technologies at scale for the targeted TAAT crops and livestock value chains.  The components of the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact are threefold:
  • Component 1: Facilitate a responsive private sector-led input delivery system to support the scaling up of agricultural inputs-based technologies.
  • Component 2: Facilitate access to finance and markets to catalyze a large-scale adoption of inputs-based technologies
  • Component 3: Upscale proven inputs-based technologies (e.g., FDP, MD, and Soil-SMaRT technologies) in cassava, maize, rice, sorghum, and millet value chains.
• The TAAT Soil Fertility Technology Transfer Officer will be based at the IFDC office in Abuja, Nigeria. The successful candidate will work closely with the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact Coordinator and will actively contribute to the implementation of  the Upscaling of Agricultural Inputs-based Technologies for Accelerated Productivity Growth, Resilience and Improved Livelihoods in targeted countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Tanzania, Mali and Nigeria as well several satellite countries across the Continent. S/he will be supervised and report to the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage all technology transfer-related activities.
• Assist the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact Coordinator in the day-to-day management and implementation of Soil Fertility Compact activities in close collaboration with country value chain implementation teams to expand the scale and reach of the program.
• Actively participate in the preparation of quarterly and annual consolidated technical reports for the Soil Fertility compact for onward submission on schedule to the PSC.
• Assess and evaluate technologies to be disseminated.
• Lead the implementation of technology transfer activities and annual work plans
• Monitor implementation of activities with partners.
• Responsible for ensuring the technical assistance/services provided by international and local experts are technically sound and appropriate.
• Organize workshops/meetings etc. with partners/stakeholders as and when needed.
• Organize meetings/seminars and conduct practical training courses on technology transfer mechanisms for partner scientists and extension workers.
• Analyze, summarize and interpret data.
• Establish and update documentation on technologies disseminated and feedback received
• In the absence of the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact Coordinator, prepare and present the activities, results, impacts and outcomes of the Soil Fertility compact at professional, donor and other stakeholders’ meetings.
• Undertake any other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the TAAT Soil Fertility Compact Coordinator to meet the objectives of the compact.

Required Skills

• Fluency in written and spoken French or English, with a good working knowledge of the second language.
• Demonstrated skills in effectively negotiating with host governments, regional institutions, donors, local organizations and partners.
• Ability to write, publish, and disseminate technical reports, success stories, and other communication materials.

Position Requirements:

• At least 10 years of experience successfully working in the implementation of complex, results-based, international development programs funded by AfDB or other international donors.
• At least 7 years of prior professional experience in agricultural technologies transfer, agricultural extension services or closely related fields in West Africa is a must.
• At least a Master’s degree in Agriculture, Soil Science or related field required.
• Experience working with the public sector (decentralization), private sector and civil society.
• Multiple country work experience is required.

General:

• This is a Nationally Recruited Staff (RS) position for one (1) year, renewable based on the performance of the incumbent and continuing availability of funding.