Program Director - Soil Values at the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is an independent non-profit organization that combines innovative research, market systems development, and strategic partnerships to identify and scale sustainable soil solutions for improved food security and livelihoods around the world.

We recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Director - Soil Values

Job ID: 20121478
Location: Abuja
Job type: Full-time

About Program / Project

• Soil Values is a 10-years program funded by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS) with a vision to catalyze sustainable and resilient agricultural transformation across West Africa by embedding soil health and fertility management into broader agricultural development efforts.
• With an ambitious aim of supporting 1.5 million small-scale food producers, restoring 2 million hectares of degraded land, and catalyzing a transformative shift in soil health and agricultural resilience across the Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Northern Nigeria).
• Soil Values has three types of partners that work closely together with the national partners for implementation 1) The three Consortium partners (IFDC, SNV, WUR) are directly involved with the implementation of the program, 2) Convening partner (AGRA) and Knowledge partners (ICRAF, IITA, ISRIC, and IWMI).
• Strong collaboration with World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) among other partners is key for the success of the program.

Responsibilities
Leadership:

• Provide the overall vision and leadership of the project;
• Build, guide and steer a strong implementation team of experts;
• Represent the project in meetings, conferences, and other opportunities conducive to publicizing, promoting and marketing the project’s (and project partners’) achievements;
• Maintain coherence between activities in West Africa, activities by project partners and the private sector partners;
• Maintain strong and effective working relationships with DGIS and country EKNs through frequent updates as per the communications plan and other adhoc communication required.

Overall programmatic management:

• Lead regular project management meetings with our consortium members;
• Initiate and organize project supervisory board meetings at least twice a year and other key meetings;
• Ensure consistency among activities implemented in the 4 priority countries;
• Monitor project overall expenditure and private sector contribution against budgets and ensure financial compliance to both donor requirements and IFDC procedures;
• Supervise completion of timely and high-quality work plans, progress reports and financial reports;
• Monitor project indicators in accordance with the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, evaluate program results and take necessary corrective actions whenever needed;
• Collaborate with IFDC HQ to ensure that managerial, administrative and financial procedures comply with provisions of the project contract, the donor regulations and IFDC policies.

Communications and outreach:

• Oversee the convening, outreach and communications strategy of the project;
• Supervise communications specialists and guide them on topics to be highlighted through success stories, case studies, fact sheets and other outreach materials;
• Oversee the knowledge & learning including advocacy strategy of the project;
• Review and approve all public relations materials.

Finance and administration:

• Approve and monitor overall project expenditure including expenditure rates of the project and consortium partners;
• Ensure all activities are conducted within the scope of the project budget;
• Assure that cost share is obtained from partners as planned and properly accounted for and that buy-in targets are met;
• Compile and approve annual financial reporting and monitoring and evaluation reports and outcomes.

Reporting and Work Relationships

• This role reports to the Vice-President of Programs. In addition, (s)he will collaborate closely with Country Directors and other program leads/Director to create leverage and synergy.

Location:

• This is an international role based in the IFDC office in Abuja, Nigeria.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Business Management, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Development Economics; Rural Development;
• A minimum of 15 years of hands-on experience in international agricultural development, with a sizable portion of this experience in West Africa;
• Proven record of accomplishment and expertise in soil fertility management, with a deep understanding of sustainable agricultural practices;
• Demonstrated senior management and leadership experience, including overseeing complex projects or teams;
• Established and active relationships with key stakeholders in West Africa, both in the public and private sectors, related to agricultural development and soil fertility;
• Experience in developing partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including governments and government entities, private sector actors, and development partners;
• Fluent in both French and English, enabling effective collaboration in multicultural settings;
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey project objectives and achievements.

Remuneration
Benefits:

• IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits. 

Salary Clause:

• The salary grade for this position is BG 11. 
• The determination of new employee salaries takes into account various factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate's qualifications in relation to the job's responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online