AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS MODELER - DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

International Fertilizer Development Center


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 farmers 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 [log in to unmask], 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.