VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Organization: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)
Market Development Associate (MDA) – NSAF
Tracking Code 20120348
Job Description
Since 1974, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient management and agribusiness expertise.
Since 1966, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has been working to improve livelihoods and foster more productive, sustainable maize and wheat farming. CIMMYT’s portfolio squarely targets critical challenges, including food insecurity and malnutrition, climate change and environmental degradation. CIMMYT leads the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, which aligns and add values to the efforts of more than 500 partners.
The Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) Project is a 5-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Implementation is led by CIMMYT, working with a range of partners. IFDC, as a partner of CIMMYT under this project for the fertilizer component, has one full-time Market Development Specialist and one full-time Agronomist/Extension Specialist to the project team. The IFDC Soil Scientist Asia region supervises, coordinates and supports the project activities on a part-time basis for its smooth implementation and maintaining a good working relationship with CIMMYT.
Currently under its Fertilizer Market Development initiatives, IFDC is taking a lead in the following key areas over the next year (April 2017 – March 2018);
• Policy Engagement: Generating evidences, developing strategies and implementing interventions to advocate for fertilizer policy reform that encourages private sector involvement.
• Capacity development of Fertilizer Association of Nepal: In collaboration with strategic institutions and stakeholders initiating the process to create an active advocacy platform.
• Enhancing Access to Financial/Credit Services: Exploring and implementing potential avenues of linking small holder farmers to appropriate financial/credit services that directly or indirectly enhances their capacity to purchase right quantity of quality seed and fertilizer at the right time.
• Developing Market Strategies for Precision Tools and Technologies: Developing strategies and interventions that promote use of demand driven tools and technologies appropriate and applicable for both seed and fertilizers. Seed planting, fertilizer application, and harvesting technologies and processes can be considered under this intervention,
The Market Development Associate will assist the Market Development Specialist and provide technical inputs to the fertilizer sector aspects of the NSAF Project as required.
The overall responsibility is to assist and provide inputs in the overall development of intervention strategies and its implementation covering all major activities mentioned above (policy engagement, rebuilding Nepal fertilizer association, linking financial services/credit to farmers, and promoting seed and fertilizers with applicable tools and technologies). Specifically, she/he will be responsible to perform the following jobs;
• Support MDS in the development of strategies relating to the activities of IFDC mentioned above.
• Collect data/information and analyze the same to support IFDC key activities in the fertilizer policy related areas.
• Follow up on the recommendations of subsequent developments and plans, to bring to fruition in work areas of all key activities.
• Assist in the design and implementation of key interventions in areas of access to credit and market development of major seed and fertilizer tools and technologies (in particular).
• Documentation and regular reporting (knowledge management).
• Coordinate or provide logistics support to planned events as required.
• Cooperate and work as a team member with NSAF team in the overall interests of the project.
• Any other duties as relevant or required.
Required Skills
• Candidate should be a Nepali citizen with a Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years experiences in market and value chain or an MBA or a Master’s degree in economics, agriculture, or another relevant field with at least two years of work experience in market or value chain research/development in agriculture or inputs/services (financial services, technologies, seed, fertilizers or pesticides) work in Nepal.
• Strong computer and analytical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a diverse team comprising of staff members from multiple organizations, staying focused and producing results in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Willingness to contribute proactively as a team member to achieve project objectives and outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and execute project activities, deliver project results, and perform project monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions.
• Excellent communication skills. Fluency (spoken and written) in both Nepali and English.
Required Experience
• Experience in private sector engagement and market development approaches. Working with private sector in the financial services sector is preferred.
• Experience in working with business membership organizations, agro-vets, and private-public partnerships in Nepal.
Last date to apply: February 2, 2018
