Systems Agronomist at The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

Job Description

• Responsible for designing and implementing protocols to measure system efficiency of cocoa and/or
• coffee-based farming systems at plot level, but also at farm and landscape level.
• Develop models that can prioritize sustainable intensification practices based on site specific
• constraints.
• Design a decision support framework based on a stepwise approach to support the implementation of
• recommendations derived from the CocoaSoils experimental trials in smallholder cocoa plantations in
• Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria.
• Lead participatory and inclusive decision support tool design, validation and testing with research and
• development partners.
• Lead work on integrating new knowledge into existing extension materials of the different countries
• and develop tools and processes that enable continuous updating of the existing extension package.
• Actively entertain good working relationships with the partners under CocoaSoils and create new
• relationships with stakeholders in the cocoa sector.
• Manage the cocoa research team responsible for implementing the stepwise program.
• Leading the development of research publications.
• Supervise PhD and MSc students with international universities.
• Link with the communication team to develop material that can be shared with the sector.

Requirement/Skills

• The candidate should have a finalised PhD in Agronomy, Tropical soil fertility management, System
• analysis or related fields in agriculture with expertise in cocoa-based systems or other perennial systems
• seen as an advantage.
• Core Competencies
• Good knowledge of perennial based agricultural systems, preferably cocoa and/or coffee.
• Good understanding of Integrated Soil Fertility Management.
• Excellent track record of research in agronomy, soil science or crop physiology, preferably with
• perennial crops.
• Systems thinker with broad understanding from agricultural systems from plant to policy.
• Experience in the use of mixed methods in systems research.
• Experience in engaging with a multitude of stakeholders including local and national level public
• sector as well as private sector.
• Good track record in management of international teams, including scientists.
• Excellent publication record in recognized journals.
• Good understanding of the priorities of high-level discussions in the cocoa sector around
• sustainability.