Agronomist

Job Summary

The anticipated IFAD-funded Sustainable Agriculture Development Project (SADEP) project overall goal is to contribute to enduring peace and reduced poverty in South Sudan and its development objective is to enhance resilience, food, and nutrition security for rural communities in four counties (Terekeka county of central Equatoria; Mundri West and Mvolo Counties of Western Equatoria State and Bor County Jonglei State) over a period of 7 years in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The Agronomist supports implementation of climate-smart sorghum, legume, and seed production systems. Responsibilities include training producer groups, strengthening community seed production, promoting improved varieties, supporting extension agents, and guiding adoption of CSA practices. The role ensures quality technical delivery under Subcomponents 1.2 (Climate adaptive, nutrition sensitive agriculture and sustainable fisheries practices and technologies developed and promoted) and 2.2 (Appropriate climate adapted, and nutrition sensitive Postharvest technologies and practices promoted and adopted), conducts field assessments, provides agronomic advice, collects production data, and works closely with communities and CBOs to address productivity gaps.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Implementation of Crop Interventions (35%)

• Lead implementation of CSA practices and improved agronomy.

• Promote drought-tolerance sorghum varieties and improved crop varieties.

• Support demonstration plots and farmer field schools.

• Supervise land preparation and planting activities.

• Ensure integration of nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

• Provide technical backstopping to extension teams.

• Integrate climate-smart agriculture (CSA) and ecosystem-based management principle into production systems. 

Capacity Building and Extension Support (25%)

• Train CBOs and POs on improved crop management.

• Develop and disseminate agronomic training materials on sorghum production and climate-resilient farming systems.

• Conduct seasonal farmer trainings and field days, extension campaigns, and technical workshops.

• Mentor and strengthen capacity of extension agents and community facilitators.

• Promote youth, women, and vulnerable groups’ engagement in training activities and seed enterprises.

• Strengthen farmer group governance and management.

Seed Systems Development (20%)

• Support community-based seed multiplication schemes.

• Organize and coordinate annual seed fairs.

• Strengthen seed quality control and certification awareness.

• Promote local seed entrepreneurs and private sector linkages.

• Monitor seed production volumes and distribution.

• Ensure compliance with seed policies and regulations.

  
  

Monitoring and Technical Reporting (15%)

• Collect crop production and yield data and analyze trends and recommend improvements.

• Contribute to quarterly and annual reports.

• Document field innovations and success cases.

• Support baseline and impact surveys.

• Participate in supervision and review missions.

• Collaborate with research institutions and extension services to ensure technical rigor.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement (5%)

• Collaborate with government agricultural departments, research institutions, NGOs, and community.

• Participate in coordination meetings and provide technical inputs to project planning.

• Support linkages between producers and other value chain actors where relevant.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED (5%)

Education/Training

Required

• A postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in either Agronomy, plant breeding or a related field extensive experience (minimum 5 years) working in Research, Extension or Training, preferably in [South Sudan/Eastern Africa].

Experience/Technical Skills

Required

• Strong technical knowledge of drought tolerant crops production systems (cereals and legumes) and climate smart agriculture and ecosystem-based management principles.

• Excellent written and oral communication in English and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. 

• Statistical skills, knowledge of computer applications and software for data collection, management and analysis desirable Aptitude to work collegially and collaboratively in diverse, multicultural environments.

• Experience working with both international and local partners, government, and communities

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work with minimum supervision to meet changing deadlines.

• Experience working on donor-implemented projects is an advantage.

• Proven problem-solving skills and ability to offer practical solutions

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to express ideas clearly.

• Computer literacy, including proficiency in word processing and office technology.

• Strong teamwork skills and willingness to travel at short notice.