The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization (PIO) governed by an international board of directors with representation from developed and developing nations. The non-profit center focuses on increasing and sustaining food and agricultural productivity in developing countries through developing and transferring effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient technology and agribusiness expertise.

Since 2018, IFDC is implementing the U.S. Agency for International Development West Africa Mission’s (USAID/WA) Feed the Future Enhancing Growth through Regional Agricultural Input Systems (EnGRAIS) program, in partnership with ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS, CORAF, and WAFA, inter alia.

USAID/WA is considering a 3-year cost and time extension of the EnGRAIS project, with a focus on four workstreams: (workstream 1) Boosting the private sector-led supply of quality fertilizer and seed inputs through public-private partnerships (PPPs); (workstream 2) Increasing nutrient use efficiency through scaling up of dissemination and adoption of innovative and efficient agricultural input packages (AIPs) under the framework of the ECOWAS Regional Agricultural Input Strategy; (workstream 3) improving and harmonizing fertilizer policy and regulatory systems across West Africa in accordance with ECOWAS guidance, and (workstream 4) Facilitating knowledge dissemination of large-scale, high-quality fertilizer market data.

1.2 Position Description

The EnGRAIS project is seeking a Gender and Youth Specialist to provide periodic and ongoing support on gender and youth mainstreaming and monitoring interventions over the course of the project’s implementation. Reporting to the Chief of Party, the Specialist will support the Project’s programmatic efforts by implementing, refining, monitoring, and generating lessons learned from an existing gender and youth integration methodology and action plan that aims to effectively engage women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. The purpose of this call for experts is to develop a roster of qualified gender and youth specialists to support the Project as and when needed.

1.3 Duties and Responsibilities

• under the leadership of the COP, designing, and supporting the implementation of an “Integration Plan for Gender and Youth.”
• Developing programmatic materials and conducting training as outlined in the Plan.
• Assess youth and women, constraints and needs, and identify the project’s tools and products adapted to their needs.
• Identify relevant women/youth groups/associations that could benefit from EnGRAIS products and interventions
• Conduct joint training and capacity-building activities, and knowledge sharing with the 4 workstreams and key private and institutional partners.
• Develop with partners customized information packages using appropriate channels (e.g., radio, Facebook, or WhatsApp) to reach women and youth.
• Develop recommendations on how constraints affecting gender, youth, and other vulnerable groups can be addressed within the Project’s four workstreams.
• Support monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities as related to the Integration Plan for Gender and Youth.
• Perform other duties related to this assignment as requested by the COP or his designate as needed.

1.4 Duty station

This position may be posted to any of the current IFDC office locations in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, or Togo). He/she should be available to travel frequently within and outside the region when called upon to.

1.5 Period

The position is open for the duration of the project (March 2023 – Feb 2026), subject to availability of funding.

1.6 Equal opportunity

IFDC is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment with no discrimination on the basis of their protected characteristics (race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, age, marital status, disability).

Interested candidates must send their resumes in English accompanied with a motivation letter in either English or French.

Required Skills

• University graduate with a degree in gender studies, agribusiness, economics, sociology, or a related field (Master preferred)
• 5+ years of relevant agribusiness and gender experience in West Africa
• Experience conducting research for USAID- and/or other donor-funded programs is strongly preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with institutional and private‐sector partners and stakeholders in West Africa
• Ability to work well in diverse teams but also productive working individually with minimum supervision.
• Well organized, strong analytical skills, creative thinker, innovative, demonstrated personal initiative, stress tolerance, integrity, and ethics.
• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to produce various informational products under tight deadlines.
• Fluency in speaking and writing in English or French and working knowledge in the other.