The expert agronomist will assist CGEP development, pilot and enterprise teams with targeted review, analysis and recommendations of input packages and best practices for smallholder production for multiple crops in several African countries. This position is designed to be an assignment-based role with targeted work and deliverables completed by the expert agronomist based on specific needs in enterprises at various phases of enterprise development, piloting and scaling. The first assignment will include a comprehensive review of best practices and proposed input packages for a soybean and maize pilot currently underway in central and northern Côte d’Ivoire.
Future assignments with this enterprise and other enterprises at various stages of development are likely if performance on initial contract is satisfactory and consultant has sufficient experience with other target crops.
Initial Assignment
The initial assignment will target CGEP’s soybean and maize pilot in Côte d’Ivoire over the coming six months. CGEP envisions two in-country evaluation visits consisting of approximately one week of work, each for an initial review during/following planting and a follow up review following harvest. CGEP expects similar time required out of country for desk research and drafting of final deliverables. The following provides details on required deliverables for this assignment:
Review of proposed input packages with proposed modifications
- Complete comprehensive review of proposed input packages compared to available alternatives both in country and available for import including cost, impact on production and other relevant factors.
- Analyze needs for regional adjustments to proposed input packages to maximize farmer yields and profits.
- Propose data-driven changes to the existing packages to maximize farmer productivity and profits including adjustments in application rates, combinations of inputs, input alternatives, etc.
- Recommend other means to reduce enterprise risks linked to input package financing.
Review of best practices recommendations and production of smallholder production guide
- Complete comprehensive review of proposed best practices’ recommendations compared to other guides and expert recommendations both specific to the country and in the region/similar contexts.
- Develop practical abridged smallholder production guide linked to the recommended input package.
- Review and revise smallholder forecasted production and profitability growth based on detailed agricultural experience with the target crops and available pilot-generated data.
Education, Work Experience & Languages
- A Bachelor’s degree or major course work in agriculture or a related field (Master’s or Doctorate degree preferred);
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in agriculture and/or agribusiness and developing countries;
- Oral and written fluency in French and working-proficiency in English required
- Targeted expertise in smallholder soybean and maize production with experience in other relevant local crops preferred;
- Ability to work autonomously with solid network of local contacts within Côte d’Ivoire and larger West Africa region preferred
- Passion for the cause: poverty alleviation at scale
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should send their resumes to gkim@cgepartnership.com with the subject line “Agronomist application.”
