Agricultural Inputs Specialist

Position description

Purpose of Position

Palladium seeks an Agricultural Inputs Specialist who will be responsible for assisting with linking farmers to input suppliers, and identifying, selecting, and assessing improved value chain input interventions. The Specialist will support the promotion of best practices and lessons learned related to agricultural technologies. This will include supporting commercial R&D interventions for new and improved varieties of selected value chains.

Responsibilities

• Design project activities related to increasing access to modern, innovative agricultural technologies for various forms of inputs;
• Support partnerships with agro-dealers networks and input suppliers and support the promotion of best practices and lessons learned related to agricultural technologies including inoculant, certified seed, drip irrigation, greenhouses, etc.;
• Provide Training of Trainers (ToTs) in agricultural input Application and adoption based on the country’s policies;
• Help leverage partnerships and technology solutions to improve adaptive capacity of internally displaced persons (IDPs);
• Design and implement interventions to support the trade of existing improved seed varieties to local markets and commercial R&D to develop new and more productive seed varieties that are appropriate in Mozambique;
• Oversee partnerships with private sector companies aimed at commercializing and promoting improved inputs;
• Help identify technologies for further development, piloting, and scaling;
• Increase access to improved seed that supports high-yielding crops and promote improved uniformity of seed systems in the country;
• Ensure timely project implementation and technical reliability, monitor project activities, and ensure quality of input supply;
• Perform any other tasks as required by the immediate supervisor.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, economics, business or related fields;
• Minimum 5 years of relevant technical experience in enhancing agricultural technologies;
• Demonstrated experience addressing technological and agricultural development issues facing Mozambique;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, project partners, and other stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience in crop inputs, field demonstration on seeds and fertilizers, or agricultural development projects;
• Prior experience providing technical support on USAID-funded projects, preferably BHA;
• Mozambican nationality or permanent residency required;
• Fluency in written and oral English required;
• Portuguese language proficiency is preferred, as well as languages or dialects spoken in northern Mozambique, such as Makua-Lomwe or dialects of Tsonga and Shona.

Application instructions

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