The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization operating in 27 nations across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. IFDC addresses global food insecurity and poverty by linking scientific research with real-world impact. The organization emphasizes innovations grounded in science, development of inclusive market systems, policy advocacy, and collaborative partnerships to help farmers and nations apply sustainable agricultural solutions, particularly improving nutrient efficiency. These strategies aim to strengthen soil quality, enhance crop yield, and minimize environmental risks from fertilizers. IFDC transforms research findings into practice by implementing community-based, environmentally responsible, and results-driven interventions. Together with its partners, IFDC strives to improve yields, combat hunger, protect vital soil resources, and boost the economic resilience of farming communities.
We are recruiting to fill the following positions below:
Program Director – Soil Values
Job ID: 220121478
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Responsibilities
Leadership
- Set the vision and direction for the project.
- Build and lead a capable team of professionals.
- Represent the initiative in key events, conferences, and strategic meetings.
- Align regional activities across West Africa and maintain partnerships.
- Keep active communication with DGIS and local EKNs as outlined in the project’s communication plan.
Program Management
- Conduct project management meetings with consortium partners.
- Organize supervisory board meetings twice annually and other essential forums.
- Ensure harmonization of activities across four primary countries.
- Track expenditures and private sector input against budgets; ensure financial adherence.
- Supervise submission of project reports, plans, and budgets.
- Evaluate project performance metrics and adjust as needed.
- Coordinate with IFDC HQ to maintain compliance with organizational and donor policies.
Communication and Outreach
- Lead the communications, outreach, and convening strategies.
- Direct communications staff on publication themes for outreach materials.
- Oversee the program’s learning, advocacy, and knowledge dissemination strategies.
- Review and approve all external communication materials.
Finance and Administration
- Authorize and track project spending, including those of partner organizations.
- Confirm all activities align with allocated funds.
- Secure and monitor cost-share contributions and external buy-ins.
- Review and approve financial and M&E reports.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in business, agribusiness, agri-economics, or rural development.
- At least 15 years of direct experience in international agricultural development, preferably in West Africa.
- Strong track record in soil fertility and sustainable farming systems.
- High-level leadership experience managing complex programs.
- Well-established relationships with key players in agriculture across West Africa.
- Experience building partnerships with government, private sector, and NGOs.
- Bilingual proficiency in English and French.
- Excellent writing and presentation skills.
Salary Clause
The salary grade is BG 11. New salaries are determined based on internal benchmarks, qualifications, external competitiveness, and budget limitations.
Application Closing Date: Not Specified.
How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Deputy Program Director, Partnership – Soil Values
Job ID: 20121479
Location: Abuja (FCT)
Employment Type: Full-time
Responsibilities
- Oversee program areas involving partnerships, finance, and policy influence at national and regional levels.
- Work with stakeholders to drive private-sector and financing collaboration, and policy reform for soil fertility advancement in the Sahel.
- Coordinate development and timely submission of work plans and program reports.
- Ensure quality and timely execution of brokering and convening-related activities.
- Implement program leverage strategy targeting €300 million from private and development sector sources.
- Maintain close collaboration with Program Director and other senior stakeholders.
- Provide prompt responses to information and data requests.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in business, agribusiness, rural development, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant development experience in West Africa.
- Experience managing large, multi-country donor-funded projects.
- Proven success in aligning stakeholders and achieving policy reforms.
- Deep understanding of soil fertility and agricultural systems in the region.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Comfortable in diverse, multilingual environments.
- Fluent in French and English.
- Willingness to travel frequently across West Africa.
Salary Clause
Salary grade is BG 10. Compensation is influenced by job requirements, experience level, internal equity, market competitiveness, and budget realities.
Application Closing Date: Not Specified.
How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Deputy Program Director, Operations – Soil Values
Job ID: 20121477
Location: Abuja
Employment Type: Full-time
About the Program / Project
Soil Values is a 10-year initiative funded by the Netherlands’ DGIS. It aims to bring long-term change to agriculture across West Africa by making soil health a core part of development. The program targets 1.5 million small-scale producers and restoration of 2 million hectares of degraded land, across Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Northern Nigeria. Implementation is led by three consortium partners (IFDC, SNV, WUR) along with convening and knowledge partners like AGRA, ICRAF, IITA, ISRIC, and IWMI.
Responsibilities
- Ensure timely preparation and delivery of work plans, reports, and financial documentation.
- Supervise Country Coordinators and support field implementation.
- Lead MELS team to measure sustainability and performance using data.
- Oversee program operations, including security, grants, contracts, and budgeting.
- Guide partnerships in accordance with procedures and protocols.
- Create operational systems to guarantee consistent, high-quality execution.
- Provide institutional support for program efficiency.
- Regularly report to the Program Director on operations and strategic progress.
- Address program inquiries and requests as needed.
Location
This position will be based in an IFDC office in Africa and is considered a national hire.
Reporting
Reports to the Program Director and oversees Country Coordinators. Will work with consortium colleagues and IFDC staff.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Agribusiness, Rural Development).
- 10+ years of relevant experience in West African agricultural programs.
- Strong record managing multi-country and multi-year development programs.
- Ability to manage administrative, financial, and security aspects of programs.
- Sound understanding of West African agriculture and soil systems.
- Experience working with government, development agencies, and industry partners.
- Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
- English fluency; French is a plus.
- Willingness to travel within the region.
Salary Clause
This role is graded at BG 10. Salary depends on factors like job level, candidate qualifications, internal fairness, and market conditions.
Benefits
Includes paid leave, health insurance, group life coverage, 13th-month salary, pension contributions per local law, and end-of-contract compensation.
Application Closing Date: Not Specified.
How to Apply: Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online