Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Digital Product Manager for Agronomy Advisory Research and Delivery. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food-secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA. The Digital Product Manager for Agronomy Advisory Research Products will be responsible for defining the requirements of agronomy advisory applications and implementing agile co-creation procedures with demand partners, scientists, and technical teams. The aim is to ensure interfaces are developed efficiently and cost-effectively across use cases, taking into account user preferences and capabilities, and the integration of the tool within the demand partner's dissemination activities
- Detail MVP specifications and requirement:
- Analyse the demand partner’s operational strategy and determine implications for the design of the advisory application.
- Clearly define the requirements for agronomy advisory applications based on user preferences and capabilities.
- Determine the functionality of the tool to achieve the right level of specificity. • Recognize and address differences between target user groups by diversifying the interface and analysing behavioural aspects. Evaluate scaling partner capabilities and preferences
- Map the scaling network and identify scaling constraints (e.g., using a rapid value chain analysis).
- Identify key scaling partners and assess the needs and requirements of these secondary partners and their target users.
- Consider differences between primary and secondary partners in terms of their network and services offered.
- Adapt tool functionality and format to meet the needs of all target users beyond just the primary demand partner.
Co-create effective and user-friendly interfaces
- Agree on the development process with demand partners, including roles and responsibilities.
- Implement an agile co-creation process with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
- Lead or assist in the development process and integrate output into the partner's platform.
- Engage with demand and scaling partners to evaluate prototypes and implement feedback mechanisms for agile learning.
- Apply human-centered design techniques and iteratively improve through testing and evaluation with target users.
Compile agronomic content for advisory applications
- Work with agronomic experts from different NARES and CGIAR researchers to compile relevant agronomic content.
- Conduct feedback collection and quality assurance of contents.
- Engage with a team of climate modeling experts from the National Meteorological Departments, regional and CGIAR experts to ensure a seamless exchange of information.
- Conduct periodic surveys with the different stakeholders and end-users (farmers) to improve advisory systems.
Operationalise an inventory of front-end advisory applications
- Work with the technical team to decide on the preferred format for agronomy advisory tools based on the operational model of demand and scaling partners, as well as user preferences and capabilities.
- Consider the need for multiple interfaces and/or different versions for specific user groups.
- Support the technical team to develop a platform to compile interfaces developed across the Initiative’s use cases.
- Use the inventory of tools to showcase solutions to potential new partners.
- Use the inventory to activate mechanisms for cross-learning and short-tracking tool development for new use cases and partners.
Engage the digital agriculture sector
- Map the digital agriculture sector and identify key players in relevant countries and value chains.
- Analyse existing platforms and products for content and capabilities and evaluate business models and current clients/services offered.
- Identify opportunities for partnerships through bundling with agronomy advice, and potential roles in supporting sustainability.
- Support engagement with the digital agriculture sector through supplementary content for training and promotion of advisory tools.
Develop and implement sustainability plans
- Discuss the sustainability of the tool interface, including costs and maintenance requirements.
- Involve the demand partner in decisions on specific features and sustainability considerations.
- Quantify the costs of running and maintaining the tool.
- Explore options for private sector involvement, integration into national extension services or other mechanisms.
- Perform any other job-related duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Educational Qualifications
- A Master's degree or higher in agriculture/rural development, social sciences, or a related field with experience in digital services for development.
Core Competencies
- Proven experience in designing web-based applications and digital advisory products with a focus on user experience and design and a deep understanding of relevant technologies, with at least five years of relevant working experience.
- Knowledge and experience with agronomy and agricultural advisory research are highly desirable.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with an ability to identify and solve complex technical problems, and their implications for product design.
- Familiarity with data analysis and visualisation techniques and ability to turn complex data into user-friendly insights and recommendations, adjusted to the needs and preferences of target user groups.
- Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders including public and private sector partners, technology partners, scientists, and technical teams to gather requirements, and deliver effective solutions through agile co-design processes.
- Understanding of project management methodologies, with experience in leading and delivering projects on time and within budget.
- Experience with AgTech and Digital Ag. Advisory sector, including mapping of different players and value chains relevant to the agriculture industry, and identifying opportunities for agronomy advice bundled with partner services.
- Strong commitment to delivering high-quality work, with a passion for delivering impactful solutions.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and able to convey complex output to various audiences.
