We are hiring a Technical Assistant Agronomist in Madagascar!
Context & Objectives
In the south of Madagascar, Nitidae has been working since 2018 through the TALAKY project on the eastern outskirts of the Anosy mountain range to develop a complementary approach between forest conservation and support for local populations, in order to reconcile the preservation of natural capital, the fight against food insecurity and economic development.
The second phase of this project, TALAKY BE, continues the work with a strong focus on the development of agricultural value chains (wild pepper, beekeeping, ginger, red pepper, etc.), exchanges and negotiations with buyers, and the development of support for producers (at plot and organisational levels).
Responsabilities
You will be responsible, in line with the project's objectives and in consultation with the project leader and the other heads/heads of technical components, for the planning, organisation and monitoring of the technical activities of the various components, as well as the management and organisation of the value chain component. You will also be involved in implementing the Agronomy component. Depending on opportunities and requests from the head office in France and the national office in Madagascar, you may be asked to work on other assignments within Nitidæ.
Mission
- Carrying out sector and producer diagnostics
- Co-construct supportting activities at the level of farming systems, cropping systems, producer organisations, etc.
- Develop and support agricultural supply chains, exchanges and negotiations with buyers
- Participate in the production of technical tools and data sheets, and training modules tailored to different audiences (technicians, producers).
- Design operational support implementation plans (mobilisation of human resources, training, impact monitoring, activity planning, budgeting, etc.).
- Participate in team training and design training modules
- Leading experimentation networks in rural areas
- Contribute to reporting on projects and actions carried out
- Contribute to the measurement of impacts and identification of monitoring indicators and formulate recommendations
Required skills and qualifications
- Agricultural engineer, agro-economist or equivalent with at least 2 years' experience in technical assistance for agricultural development projects
- Detailed knowledge of agricultural sectors, agro-ecology, organic farming and agro-forestry
- Mastery of methods for diagnosing and co-constructing innovations in rural areas
- A passion for market issues, production and farmer innovation
- Good understanding of farmers' strategies and analysis of production constraints
- Ability to work in a rural environment
- Ability to listen, teach and lead and consolidate a team
- A good understanding of farmers' innovation strategies and analysis of production constraints
- French, Malagasy is a plus
- Computer skills, GIS, statistical processing
- B driving licence required (A motorbike licence would be an advantage)
- Experience in forestry, composting, fish farming or rice growing would be an advantage.
Conditions & Application
Status : Volunteering for International Solidarity (VSI) / french short-term contract / malagasy short-term contract
Desired start date : July 2025
Position based in Fort Dauphin, with travel to remote areas that are difficult to access during the rainy season. More than half of the working time will be spent in the field, with logistics that involve sleeping in the project's base camps and in remote villages.
If you meet the criteria, please send your application to **n.rullier@nitidae.org and a.rakotondrasoa@nitidae.org, indicating in the subject of the email « RECRUT AGRO MADA », and joining a CV and Cover Letter.
Application closing date : 10th June 2025 midnight (00h00)
Interview dates : from 15th June 2025 onwards in Lyon or remotely
Full job offer downloadable here (french)
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