Sector: Resource Development – Soil and Nutrient Dynamics Program

Location: Settat, Morocco

Duration of the Assignment: 30 months

Background Information:

The Near East and North Africa (NENA) region is characterized by a fragile agro-ecological base and high population growth rates. IFDC will soon initiate a new project in the NENA region to develop and implement an Information and Decision Support System (IDSS) that can be used to improve agricultural input use efficiency and reduce cereal production risks in the region.  Project activities will be conducted primarily in Morocco and Syria with the main collaborators being INRA (Morocco), Research Directorate (Syria) and ICARDA. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Work with staff of the Resource Development Division of IFDC, INRA (Morocco) and ICARDA (Syria), and National institutes, as well as with NGOs and farmer organizations involved in on-going IFAD projects in the NENA region to:

·        Compile and organize existing information on soil types, climate, production systems, prices, and establish the databases needed for developing the proposed IDSS.

·        Establish the actual IDSS specifically oriented to:

1.      Improve nutrient (mainly nitrogen) and moisture management to minimize farmer’s risk during drought years and maximize returns during rainy years;

2.      Establish agricultural zones and poverty maps;

3.      Develop crop yields and crop production forecasts;

4.      Explore the possibility of issuing drought/flood alerts and recommending mitigation measures based on seasonal climate outlooks, simulation models and remote sensing.

·        Design and manage the case studies at the farmer community level within three on-going IFAD projects in Morocco and Syria.

·        Design and establish training activities on the applications of the IDSS approach for staff of National institutes, NGOs and grass root organizations.

·        Identify and test methodologies and related institutional arrangements to transfer results to farmers with their pro-active participation.

·        Represent IFDC and the project and provide technical guidance and information at training courses, and relevant meetings.

Qualifications:

A Ph.D. Degree or a Master’s Degree in a related field with at least five years of experience in the application of simulation models and geographic information systems in the agricultural sector, and with good understanding of remote sensing applications in agriculture.

Experience:

·        Expertise in application of crop simulation models and geographic information systems (GIS) for improving decision making and planning in the agricultural sector, especially in developing countries. 

·        Studies and/or knowledge of applications of probabilistic seasonal climate outlooks for improving decisions in agricultural activities.

·        Studies and/or knowledge of applications of remote sensing for identifying land uses and estimating vegetation status (NDVI, e-NDVI, etc.)

·        Expertise or good knowledge in soil fertility, nutrient management (especially nitrogen) and crop water use.

Skills and Competencies Required:

·        Ability to compile and analyze relevant data, construct required databases, and develop information management systems.

·        Fluency in oral and written English, while proficiency in French is highly desirable.

·        Prepared to travel within the NENA region.

·        Good communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to produce high quality written material and effectively represent IFDC when required.

·        Perception and judgment in dealing with complex issues and a demonstrated ability to prioritize and deliver agreed outcomes with limited supervision.

·        Ability to work as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team.

Remuneration:

The salary will be paid in U.S. dollars commensurate with experience.  The benefits package is competitive with similar positions at other International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs).  The employee benefits package will include annual and sick leave; insurance (medical, life, AD&E, LTD, BTA, medical evacuation); retirement; and applicable posting allowances.

Application:

Qualified applicants are invited to send an application consisting of a letter of introduction and an up-to-date curriculum vitae including the name, address, telephone, fax and e-mail contact addresses of three referees in a sealed envelope to the Personnel Manager, IFDC, P.O. Box 2040, Muscle Shoals, Alabama 35662, U.S.A., or e-mail dedwards@ifdc.org, or fax: 1/256/381-7408. Copies of certificates and relevant documents are to be attached to the application. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview.

Deadline: Open until filled.

Date of Entry: As soon as possible.