Input Manager / Менеджер/ка із забезпечення сільськогосподарськими ресурсами

Chemonics International Inc.    

Vacancy    

Inputs manager 

Program Context    

Chemonics International, Inc., a U.S.-based international development consulting firm, is seeking qualified candidates for multiple technical and crosscutting positions for the five -year USAID Harvest Activity. The Activity aims to enable supported male and female grain and oilseed farmers, including those from marginalized and underserved groups, to return production and income for target commodities to at least pre-war levels while improving production efficiency and profitability and will position farmers to market their crops more successfully and profitably in the war-affected context. The Activity will focus specifically on the following target commodities: barley, corn, soybean, sunflower, and wheat.    

Position Description:    

Engage and coordinate with value chain actors, implementing partners, input suppliers and other key input actors to explore ways to improve linkages between farmers and value chain actors in the targeted value chains with an overall objective to increase farm level productivity through improved use of agricultural inputs and other appropriate technology solutions.  

Responsibilities   

The Input Manager will be responsible for improving linkages between farmers and input suppliers, while identifying, assessing, selecting, and promoting improved inputs and crop input interventions and technical solutions. This position will report to the Grain and Oilseed Productivity Team Lead. Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to:  

• Design project activities related to increasing access to modern, innovative agricultural technologies for various forms of inputs.   
• Develop strategies to increase smallholder farmers’ knowledge and use of appropriate agricultural inputs in response to exiting barriers and shifting market dynamics.  
• Link farmers with financial institutions, agro-dealers and select private sector stakeholders to facilitate access to different agricultural inputs including fertilizer, improved seed, and agro chemicals.  
• Design and implement interventions to support the trade of existing improved seed varieties to local markets and the development of local markets for new and more productive seed varieties that are appropriate for Ukraine and regional and European markets.  
• Oversee regional input needs identification, planning, and distribution to the required regions.   
• Support the promotion of best practices and lessons learned related to agriculture input technologies and inputs use across countries. This includes the design and management of initiatives to improve new technology uptake and the scale up of existing technologies that demonstrate the ability to improve input commercialization and crop production.  
• Ensure timely project implementation and technical reliability, monitor project activities, and ensure the quality of input supply.  
• Provide technical and/or operational guidance and serve as a subject matter expert on improved grain and oilseed crop inputs.  
• Support Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team on real-time data collection and planning.  
• Develop and maintain key relationships with value chain stakeholders needed to achieve project KPIs.  
• Liaise between stakeholders such as government, private as well as other donor programs who are directly or indirectly working in the grain and oilseed inputs sector in the project zone of influence.    
• Lead co-design initiatives with potential grant recipients to pilot models and practices that increase agricultural inputs use, accessibility, productivity and margins with partners (i.e., farmers, buyers, input firms, financial institutions) and demonstrate their effectiveness to facilitate market actors’ uptake.  
• Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.  

Qualifications    

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, economics, business or related field. Advanced degree and 3 years of experience working on seed, fertilizers, and other crop inputs.  
• Relevant experience in private sector engagement in relation to agricultural marketing and value chain development (input supply chain).  
• A bachelor’s degree in plant science, seed science, Agronomy, or related field and 15 years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.    
• Demonstrated experience in crop input, field demonstration on seed and fertilizers, or agricultural development programs strongly preferred.  
• Experience in crop and horticulture input management interventions required.  
• Previous experience/knowledge of USAID projects and private sector engagement, approaches, and policy.  
• Proven ability to work under pressure, and with multiple concurrent demands.     
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.     
• Verbal and written fluency in English required.  
• Ability to travel and work throughout Ukraine.  

Job Location    

Kyiv, Ukraine   

Salary    

Negotiable based on experience and qualifications    

 Compensation & Other Benefits    

Per company policy, Chemonics offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package in line with local labor requirements at a minimum.        

Read Before Applying    

Please submit your CV through this form.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so please apply as soon as possible.   

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.