Junior Data Scientist - Agronomic Decision Support Systems

Junior Data Scientist - Agronomic Decision Support Systems

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Junior Data Scientist for the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health in West Africa and the Sahel.

This is a unique opportunity to impact smallholder farmers, agricultural development, and the agribusiness sector through an innovative approach that can leverage more than a billion dollars of investment in improving soil health across the region.

Hosted on the IITA campus in Ibadan, Nigeria, the Regional Hub operates as an ECOWAS sub-program, with initial funding from the World Bank (through its AICCRA program) and OCP Africa plus ongoing discussions with a pipeline of other investors across sectors. The Regional Hub aims to improve long-term soil health and fertility for enhanced yield and incomes, efficient resource use, and climate resilience.

The Junior Data Scientist will contribute to a wide range of projects under the Regional Hub’s core activities with a particular focus on six of the Hub’s 20 Functions:

1. Access and utilize digital soil health and fertilizer maps.
2. Dashboard for soil health and fertilizer.
3. Site-specific nutrient management recommendation models.
4. Knowledge resources and databases.
5. Rapid and efficient monitoring of delivery of agronomic gain.
6. Farmer-led experimentation.

We are seeking candidates with a background in applying advanced machine learning and modeling techniques to enhance decision-making, preferably with some experience with applications for site-specific agronomic advisory. This position will support the design, development, and implementation of decision support tools (DSTs) for agronomic management and climate adaptation across multiple projects.

The ideal candidate will combine expertise in data science and statistical models, preferably with experience in crop modeling and remote sensing, and an understanding of agriculture in Africa. The Junior Data Scientist will support project management needs, including engaging with partners, providing input to reporting, fundraising, capacity development, user testing, and project visibility needs.

Position Responsibilities

Team Contribution: Work effectively with a network of data scientists and modelers, sharing knowledge, code, and technical expertise. Be open and willing to learn on the job from team colleagues.

Developing Decision Support Tools (DSTs): Contribute to the design and implementation of robust, modular DSTs that integrate process-based and empirical crop models.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Sharing: Support training and capacity-building efforts for partners and team members around analytical techniques.

Delivering Impactful Technologies: Contribute to the development or adoption of country-specific solutions tailored to the local context and needs.

Project Management and Reporting: Contribute to tracking milestones, preparing reports, and maintaining strong visibility of project outcomes.

Grant Proposal Development and Fundraising: Actively participate in the development of grant proposals to secure funding for high-priority research and delivery initiatives.

Quality Assurance: Contribute to ensuring adherence to best practices in design, security, and scalability.

Key Skills

1. An agile and strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial spirit.
2. Demonstrated ability to thrive under complexity and uncertainty.
3. Ability to understand the needs and deliver scalable solutions for small-scale farmers.
4. Proven capacity in data cleaning and data analysis to ensure high-quality outputs.
5. Ability to develop basic skills in data storytelling tailored to internal team discussions.
6. Agile self-learner who is not afraid to ask questions to clarify tasks.

Requirements

Educational Qualifications

Advanced Degree in a computational field such as Data Science or Statistics or a related discipline.

Core Competencies & Experience

This role offers an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on agriculture in Africa by driving innovations in climate-smart decision-making tools.

1. Extensive Technical Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in statistical modeling, machine learning, and AI, preferably with experience in crop modeling and remote sensing.
2. Team Experience: Demonstrated success from working with multidisciplinary and multisector teams.
3. Communication Skills: Strong spoken and written English communication skills are essential; proficiency in French would be a significant benefit.
4. Technical Skills: High proficiency in Python, R, and other relevant programming languages.
5. Adaptability and Solution-Orientation: A proactive problem solver with the ability to adapt to changing project needs and priorities.
6. Project and Grant Management: Strong organizational skills, ability to understand and grasp needs quickly, work independently and deliver results according to project timelines.

Rewards

1. Impact: Play a pivotal role in enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in West Africa and the Sahel.
2. Innovation: Be at the forefront of large-scale adoption of science and technology-based solutions for improving African agriculture.
3. Collaboration: Work with a dedicated team that is passionate about making a difference.
4. Growth: Opportunities for professional development and career advancement within a dynamic and growing organization.

Duty Station: IITA HQ, Ibadan, Nigeria, with the expectation of extensive travel across West Africa.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of three years. IITA offers an internationally competitive remuneration package that is paid in US dollars.

Applications: Applications must include a cover letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, and names and addresses of three professional referees.

Closing Date: 1st January 2025

IITA is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse workforce, particularly welcoming applications from women.

While all applications will be acknowledged, please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.