Reports to: Research Team Leader -Soils, Waters and Agronomy
Location: Rabat, Morocco
Purpose of the position
ICARDA implements several joint research-for-development and scaling projects in Morocco focused on climate-smart agronomy, sustainable land and water management, regenerative agriculture, mechanization, and digital agro-advisory systems. The Research and Scaling Associate will support the Soil, Water and Agronomy team in the design, implement, validation, and scaling of agronomic innovations that enhance productivity, sustainability, and resilience of smallholder farming systems.
The position will contribute to on-farm and on-station research, field demonstrations, technology validation, farmer training, and stakeholder engagement in collaboration with national agricultural research systems, extension services, private sector actors, farmer organizations, and other partners. The role will support the adaptation of ICARDA\u2019s agronomic innovations to diverse agro-ecological and socio-economic contexts in Morocco, ensuring that research outputs are relevant, practical, and scalable. The Research and Scaling Associate also helps strengthen multi-stakeholder partnerships and facilitates collaborative scaling initiatives by organizing field demonstrations, farmer training, field days, and awareness activities. The position assists in the development and validation of digital agro-advisory tools and conducts needs assessments through surveys, field visits, and focus group discussions to contribute interventions are demand-driven and context-specific. Additionally, the role contributes to high-quality data collection, management, reporting and analysis in compliance with CGIAR and ICARDA standards, contributing to monitoring, evaluation, reporting, and knowledge dissemination to researchers, policymakers, and farming communities. Through effective coordination, communication, and data stewardship, the position helps contribute scientific rigor, operational efficiency, and impactful delivery of SWA projects in Morocco.
About ICARDA
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by CGIAR. ICARDA\u2019s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. With its temporary Headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org.
Main responsibilities
\u00b7 Support the implementation and scaling of climate-smart agronomic innovations that enhance productivity, resource-use efficiency, soil health, water management, and resilience of smallholder farming systems, in alignment with ICARDA\u2019s Soil, Water and Agronomy priorities
\u00b7 Implement and monitor on-farm and on-station experiments, demonstration, and validation trials, including activities related to regenerative agriculture, efficient water management, crop management, mechanization, and other climate-smart agronomic practices.
\u00b7 Strengthen and catalyze sustainable partnerships among multiple public and private sector entities in soil, water, crop management, and mechanization sectors in Morocco with a focus on collaborative scaling initiatives.
\u00b7 Support coordination of awareness and outreach activities about the project activities, products, and outcomes among stakeholders, policy makers and farmer communities.
\u00b7 Support to develop and validate different digital agro-advisory tools suitable for researchers, extensionist ant farmers
\u00b7 Conduct needs analysis for target region via field visits, assessing in developing and conducting surveys and focus group discussions.
\u00b7 contribute frequent communication with other team members to work together in a highly collaborative mode that assures common understanding and coordinated approach across team activities.
\u00b7 Assist in monitoring and evaluation and reporting efforts by providing quality input and report in timely manner as per the project need.
\u00b7 Follow best practice of data collection such that data are organized, managed, stored and archived in accordance with CGIAR/ICARDA\u2019s norms ensuring that clean, good quality, clearly labelled data sets and information are sent to the project leaders.
\u00b7 Maintain regular communication with project teams and partners, contributing to a collaborative, coordinated, and results-oriented working environment across disciplines and institutions.
\u00b7 Contribute to knowledge products and technical outputs, including training materials, technical briefs, reports, presentations, datasets, and, where appropriate, scientific publications.
\u00b7 Perform other relevant duties as required by the Research Team Leader and project leadership, consistent with the purpose and level of the position.
Requirements
Education, qualifications, and experience
\u00b7 PhD in agriculture science with good knowledge in crop management and regenerative agriculture practices.
\u00b7 At least 2 years\u2019 experience in agricultural research and extension at national level.
\u00b7 Comprehensive knowledge of associated disciplines with excellent teamwork, interpersonal and ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
\u00b7 Have good data analytical and report writing skills
\u00b7 Excellent English, French and Arabic communications skills.
\u00b7 Capable and willing to work in a fast-paced and time sensitive environment, and able to adapt to unforeseen challenges and tasks that arise.
\u00b7 Able and willing to travel extensively within Morocco and in the region.
\u00b7 Holder of a valid driver\u2019s license with a clean driving record.
\u00b7 Knowledge of precision farming, regenerative agriculture and the development of digital agriculture tools and applications.
\u00b7 Previous experience working in CGIAR or other similar international agricultural research institutions.
\u00b7 Basic knowledge on data analytics, remote sensing and GIS.
\u00b7 Previous experience working with CGIAR, international agricultural research organizations, national research institutions, development projects, or donor-funded programs.
\u00b7 Experience working with NARS, extension services, farmer organizations, private sector partners, or innovation platforms.
\u00b7 Familiarity with monitoring, evaluation, learning, and impact-oriented reporting.
\u00b7 Ability to translate research outputs into practical recommendations for farmers, extension agents, and policymakers.
Benefits
Terms of appointment, salary, and benefits
This is a nationally recruited position open for Moroccan nationals for which ICARDA offers an attractive compensation package including a competitive salary, medical insurance, 30 days of annual leave, five months\u2019 maternity leave, 15 days\u2019 paternity leave. The successful candidate will be offered an initial contract of 3 years, renewable subject to continued need for the position and satisfactory performance. The first three months will be a probationary period.
Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization’s standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.