Talent roster - Deputy Program Director – Technical - Sahel Region

About IFDC The International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) is a public international organization that advances soil health and strengthens agricultural systems through science-based innovation. For over 50 years, IFDC has translated research into practical solutions that improve nutrient use efficiency, restore degraded soils, strengthen local agricultural markets and expand opportunity for smallholder farmers, especially women and youth.

We work with farmers, governments and private sector partners to build resilient farming systems that produce nutritious food, improve livelihoods, and safeguard natural resources for future generations.

Our Values We Are Guided By Four Core Principles Collaborate

• We work across teams, countries and partners to create lasting impact.

Innovate

• We apply evidence and continuous learning to design practical and responsible solutions.

Include

• We promote equity and meaningful participation for women, youth and underrepresented groups.

Act with Integrity

• We steward resources responsibly, uphold transparency and remain accountable to the communities, partners, staff and donors who place their trust in us.

Responsibilities The Technical Deputy Program Director is responsible for leading the program’s technical strategy, ensuring the availability of quality seeds, strengthening seed systems, and coordinating with governments, private sector, and international partners to improve food security and resilience in the Sahel. Specifically:

• Provide technical direction for seed sector development across Sahel countries (Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, etc.);
• Align program activities with regional agricultural policies and donor priorities;
• Lead the design and implementation of strategies for seed production, certification, and distribution;
• Ensure the implementation program activities in-countries are in line with the overall vision and leadership of the program;
• Coordinate and manage the program team;
• Support the program’s leadership and the consortium partners to build and manage a strong implementation team with a clear strategy to deliver results;
• Create and maintain good working relationships with implementing partners and other relevant projects and programs and ensure adequate leverage and synergy between these implementing partners and projects/programs;
• Represent the program in meetings, conferences, and other opportunities conducive to publicizing, promoting and marketing the project’s (and project partners’);
• Participate or lead regular project management meetings with representatives of consortium members and with the donor embassy representatives;
• Strengthen partnerships with donors, NGOs, and government ministries;
• Build capacity of national seed agencies, farmer cooperatives, and private companies;
• Represent the program in regional forums and donor coordination meetings;
• Supervise technical teams and ensure efficient resource allocation;
• Oversee donor reporting, financial accountability, and compliance with program standards;
• Coordinate field missions and ensure timely delivery of outputs;
• Establish robust M&E frameworks to track adoption of quality seeds and income improvements;
• Advocate for an enabling environment for seed sector growth (regulations, certification, trade policies);
• Perform other roles necessary or those to be assigned to you by IFDC leadership.

Requirements The Technical Deputy Director is expected to combine advanced agricultural expertise with leadership, project management, and policy coordination skills. Candidates must demonstrate strong experience in seed systems, food security, and regional development, alongside proven ability to manage multi-stakeholder initiatives.

• 10-15 years of progressively responsible work experience in agricultural development, seed systems, or food security programs, with a sizable portion of this experience in West Africa (especially Mali, Burkina Faso or Niger);
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in agriculture, plant sciences, agronomy, seed technology, or related fields.
• Proven track record in program management, monitoring & evaluation, and donor reporting;
• Experience in Sahelian contexts is highly valued;
• Deep knowledge of seed production, certification, and distribution systems;
• Familiarity with regional agricultural policies and international frameworks (FAO, UA, UN, etc.);
• Ability to design and implement capacity-building programs for local institutions and farmers;
• Strong skills in strategic planning, resource mobilization, and partnership building;
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams across multiple countries;
• Ability to coordinate with government agencies, NGOs, and international donors;
• Fluent in both French and English, enabling effective communication and collaboration in multicultural settings;
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively convey project objectives and achievements.

Reporting and Work Relationships The Technical Deputy Director is supervised by and reports to the Program Director. He/She will also collaborate with the Country IFDC leadership and other program leads in-country.

Location This role is for nationally recruited staff and is based in one IFDC office in Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger.

Benefits IFDC's benefits include annual and sick leave, health and group life insurance coverage, a 13th-month salary, social security and pension contribution in compliance with local laws and end-of-contract benefits.

Salary Clause The salary grade for this position is BG 10.

The determination of new employee salaries considers numerous factors. These include the salary range linked to the assigned job grade, the candidate's qualifications in relation to the job's responsibilities and prerequisites, internal fairness, the competitive state of the job market, as well as potential organizational and budgetary considerations.

Diversity Clause IFDC is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We believe in the value of bringing together people with a broad range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. All employment decisions at IFDC are made on the basis of ability, performance, and organizational need, in alignment with our values of fairness, respect, and opportunity for all.

The recruitment for the position of Deputy Program Director - Technical is being conducted in support of an ongoing proposal effort in the Sahel region. Required Skills Required Experience