Agronomy and Product Development Specialist at Saro Agrosciences Limited

Job Summary

• He/She will champion product maintenance, seed production research, and product development trial in the tropical lowland environments.
• He/She will act as a link between Seed Co and farming stakeholders and partners, with a strategic mandate of driving the promotion, awareness, and adoption of Seed Co cultivars among farmers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Conducting parent seed purification to support the production of high-quality seed.
• Designing and executing seed production research trials including synchronization and agronomic studies that will lead to enhancement of productivity.
• Providing leadership in designing and executing agronomy studies that will improve seed yield to above thresholds that are competitive.
• Evaluate maize and rice hybrids, soyabean, cowpeas and other small grains.
• Supporting business functions such as executing strip trials and demonstration plots
• Champion collaboration with national institutions and CIGIAR institutions operating in the region, including IITA, Africa Rice and CIMMYT.
• Product development and registration of products in regional countries and ECOWAS.
• Work collaboratively with farmers, farmer’s organizations, Groups, Co-operatives, NGO’s, Extension services and other partnering organization that promotes sustainable farming practices.
• Capacity development and mentoring assigned personnel.
• Any other activities that support organizational objectives.

Requirements
Our Ideal Candidate - Knowledge, Skills and Competences:

• Good networking
• Strategic capabilities and demonstration of leadership in delivering and rolling out demonstration Programs, Farmers Training, and Lead Farmer Ambassador Programs
• Farmer orientation and focused communication targeting smallholder farming communities and agronomy support to farmers.
• Coordinate and monitor initiatives for the farmer-facing initiatives.
• Recruiting Lead Farmer Agencies and grow AgriSeed Co’s brand equity in the targeted farming communities.
• Administration of training sessions and events for advancement of farmers and the AgriSeed Co-brand
• Management and implementation of awareness campaigns to enhance AgriSeed Co’s category leadership and brand familiarity.
• Position requires extensive driving across the country and the incumbent must be highly energetic and self-driven.
• The candidate must be a self-starter, passionate about farming communities and farmer education, with experience in sustainable farmer relationship management.
• Good organizational development skills with excellent communication (verbal and written) capabilities.
• Ability to protect the reputation of the organization and maintain integrity.

Qualification

• Minimum of a second-class upper University degree, preferably in business, marketing, or management, or related fields
• MSc /PhD in Agronomy or related discipline
• Communication skills - both written and oral
• Supervision, management, and leadership attributes
• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural institution.
• Willingness to travel both in-country and abroad.
• Trust and openness
• At least 10 years experience working in a related field.
• Experience and knowledge of the agricultural industry will be an added advantage.
• Age Requirement: 35 - 45 years