The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Systems Agronomist.
The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa\u2019s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.
Position Responsibilities:
\u00b7 Provide regional leadership and mentorship in designing, planning and testing integrated natural resource and crop management strategies that address farmer\u2019s needs in Southern Africa.
\u00b7 Establish and manage partnership arrangements that bring together research and last mile scaling partners to accelerate the deployment of innovations to help smallholder farmers especially women and youth to improve agricultural productivity while building resilience to environmental and other external shocks.
\u00b7 Coordinate the establishment of trials focusing on participatory dissemination of improved crop, integrated soil fertility, integrated pest management, and crop-livestock management technologies with relevant stakeholders
\u00b7 Develop and disseminate recommendations for improved crop-based production systems and climate-smart production technologies using various methods digital tools in collaboration with diverse partners.
\u00b7 Work closely with IITA breeders, scientists and crop modelers to integrate data from agronomic trials, surveys, and multi-scale remote sensing outputs to model and predict crop yields, farming system performance and resilience to climate change.
\u00b7 Contribute to IITA Farming Systems Agronomy and Resilience Climate Adaptation program activities
\u00b7 Strengthen NARS partners\u2019 capacity in natural resource and crop management.
\u00b7 Facilitate team building within the southern Africa Hub and focus research area.
\u00b7 Publish findings from research in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
\u00b7 Prepare quarterly and annual technical reports for donors.
\u00b7 Contribute to resource mobilization.
\u00b7 Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by your supervisor.
Requirements
Educational Qualifications
The candidate should have a PhD in Agronomy, Soil Science or any related field.
Core Competencies
\u00b7 At least 10 years of experience in agronomy, soil science or related field with a minimum of 5 years in team management roles including coordination of complex partnerships and management of successful field teams.
\u00b7 Prior research experience in crop production, management and cropping systems.
\u00b7 Excellent interpersonal, analytical and organizational skills with evidence of good relationships with diverse stakeholder groups.
\u00b7 Knowledge in soil-plant relationships.
\u00b7 Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural and diverse environments
\u00b7 Demonstrated ability to write and publish journal articles.
\u00b7 Grant writing experience and evidence of ability to attract external funding
\u00b7 Team-building skills, collaboration capacity, and project management abilities.
\u00b7 Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and Portuguese will be an advantage
Duty station: Nampula, Mozambique
Benefits
General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years with possibility of renewal based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.
Applications: Applications must include a cover letter which should address how the candidate\u2019s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant\u2019s current or previous organization or applicant\u2019s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Director, People and Culture. Please complete our online application form using this link: https://apply.workable.com/iita/#jobs
Closing Date: 7th January, 2026
IITA is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.
While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.