Job Description

Agronomist – Plant Health and Productivity

Title: Agronomist – Plant Health and Productivity

Location: Guatemala City, Guatemala

Start Date: On/around May 2025

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BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities across the economically developing world. Since our founding in 1964, we have delivered lasting solutions across 139 countries. 

IESC is a valued partner to people and communities throughout the economically developing world. We share proven business skills and experience with entrepreneurs, jobseekers, businesses, farmers, cooperatives, and governments. We also offer resources—human, technological, financial—that sustainably build capacity and empower communities. Our long legacy of strengthening developing economies is matched by our vision for the next generation: a world with economic opportunity for all, where people and communities thrive. 

IESC is recruiting an Agronomist to d evelop innovative solutions for improving agricultural productivity and plant health support for the USDA-Food for Progress funded Agricultural Trade and Climate Smart Innovations (ATraCSI) project. The project is located in the Northern Triangle Region of Central America (El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras). ATraCSI focuses on implementing international and risk-based Sanitary and Phytosanitary Regulations (SPS) measures, implement measures under the existing World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreements (TFA), and assist in strengthening agricultural productivity and food safety through development and transfer of agriculture technologies that maximize efficiency, competitiveness, and resource optimization, with a focus on high-value horticulture value chains

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

The agronomist – plant health and productivity is accountable for provide cro p management related technical expertise and support to farmers and other stakeholders, develop and implement solutions that increase crop yields, improve the quality of agricultural produce, and promote science-based agriculture. This is a full-time (40 hours per week) temporary position for five to six months with the potential to be extended. The position will be based in Guatemala City. The position reports to DCoP in Guatemala and works closely with Guatemala technical team, Regional Specialists and local partner.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Provide technical assistance to export-oriented agribusinesses and their suppliers to improve crop productivity and implement science-based plant health practices aligned with export market requirements.

· Support the design and implementation of tailored on-farm improvement plans that enhance compliance with phytosanitary and quality standards, while promoting sustainable production practices across targeted supply chains.

· Develop and implement crop management plans that consider soil characteristics, plant health, water, weather-related, and other factors affecting crop growth and yield, as well to supports implementation of farmer field schools, potentially traveling throughout t he country;

· Develops and implements supply-side program interventions related to high-value horticulture that address critical market requirements, especially in the areas of food safety and quality;

· Informs project team and collaborators on USDA, Central American regional, and national Sanitary and Phyto Sanitary regulations and policies;

· Generates draft reports related to project progress or technical areas of oversight, including scopes of work for consultants as needed;

· In close collaboration with the MEL team, monitor the outcomes of project activities on agricultural productivity, and food safety.

· Develops scopes of work and manages international and domestic consultants and volunteers to deliver outputs;

· Establishes, maintains, and nurtures collaborative relationships with beneficiaries, including identifying challenges, mutual solutions, and actions that are accurately tracked and attributed to the efforts;

· With the Chief of Party (CoP) and the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), maintains good relationships with public counterparts, e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Economy, SAT, PIPPA, SIECA, and private sector producer organizations and trade associations, and other organizations involved in the process;

· Supports grant implementation to strengthen institutional capacity for demonstration and replication of technologies, e.g., assist packinghouses;

· Participates in the development of a training interventions for firms, farmers, and packing houses in Guatemala related international Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).  The training to farmers and firms will also include FSMA Produce Safety regulations, such as integrated pest management and post-harvest handling and water quality;

· Coordinates training activities for farmers and firms, organizational capacity specialist, cold chain specialist, and other specialists from the project team in El Salvador and Honduras; and

· Other duties as assigned by the DCoP Guatemala or the CoP.

QUALIFICATIONS

· B.Sc. in Agriculture Science, with emphasis in horticulture or agribusiness, or related field; M.Sc. in related field is preferred;

· Work experience in related field for at least 5 years. Combination of private and public institution   experience highly preferable;

· Experience with USDA, USAID, or other donor programs preferred.

· Experience in conducting benchmarking and field assessments to evaluate the performance of crops, identify constraints and challenges, and develop recommendations for improving agricultural productivity;

· Ability to prioritize among multiple competing requests;

· Self-starter, detail-oriented, thorough, and well organized;

· Well-developed interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to work with a local team as well as international consultants and volunteer expertise effectively;

· Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills, including training development and delivery;

· Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office);

· Ability to travel domestically and potentially internationally;

· Fluency in Spanish and handling English as a working tool (reading and writing documents)

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