Regional Inputs Policy Specialist at International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Project Description

IFDC is recruiting for the anticipated USAID Strengthening Agriculture and Regional Resilience (STARR) Project based out of Nairobi. The overall goal of the activity is to promote increased agricultural production, investment, trade and resilience to shocks in the larger East Africa region including select IGAD, COMESA and SADC countries by addressing agricultural issues that can only be solved on a regional basis. STARR has the following objectives:

• Strengthening cross-border agricultural trade and value chains;
• Improved regional agricultural inputs;
• Strengthening resilience;
• Strengthening the regional policy environment.

Responsibilities

• The policy specialist will engage with private sector agri-input providers and other stakeholders, such as COMESA, EAC and IGAD, to ensure that regional input policy initiatives are demand driven and align with the needs of the private sector.
• Particular focus will be placed on harmonization of inputs standards (seeds and fertilizers, etc.) as well as harmonized trade and customs regimes
• Support improved evidence-based analysis and increased public-private sector dialogue to promote an improved agriculture enabling policy environment with regard trade and usage of agricultural inputs
• Undertake studies and develop action plans to capacity build and guide regional governments on how to promote trade and utilization of agri-inputs and advise what policy instruments and institutions should be employed.

Required Skills

• Master’s Degree in agriculture, economics, trade policy, international development, or a related field;
• Ability to collaborate effectively with the private sector, government entities, and international donors;
• Strong knowledge of smallholder farming systems, and agri-inputs at a national and regional context;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Fluency in English (oral and written) required;
• Willingness to travel extensively in East and Southern Africa.

Required Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience, including experience with a contractor or international NGO, in government or regional economic bodies in a similar role, or experience working in private sector agri-businesses in one of more of the target countries
• Experience with USAID–funded projects.

Applications are open to national and international staff. Preference will be given to nationals from targeted countries. Please include a cover letter and a CV at this stage only. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until release of the solicitation by USAID anticipated in Q1 2018. Only selected candidates will be contacted. They will be invited for interviews including oral and written tests.