Senior Agronomist at Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS)

The Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions( FSSS) is an implementing foundation that bridges the gap between innovation research and its delivery to smallholders.

We are a Nigerian non-profit organisation committed to empowering smallholder farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural development. Transitioning from Syngenta Foundation Nigeria, FSSS builds on its distinguished legacy of impactful projects and programmes. Now fully locally governed and staffed, we continue advancing innovative solutions that help farmers thrive and achieve food security. We operate across 54 locations in Nigeria, including major agricultural states like Kano, Kaduna, Oyo, and Nasarawa. Our projects focus on underserved areas, ensuring that farmers across Nigeria have access to our services and solutions.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Senior Agronomist

Location: This role will cover the North West and South-South
Employment Type: Contract

Role Description

• The Senior Agronomist will lead the design, establishment, and management of multi-locational agronomic trials across Nigeria.
• The role focuses on generating high-quality data on crop performance (rice, maize, and cowpea), validating improved technologies, and guiding recommendations for large-scale adoption.
• In addition, the role requires strong technical expertise in regenerative agriculture, crop production, soil health management, climate-smart agriculture, and farmer capacity-building.
• The Senior Agronomist will work closely with partners, extension agents, and stakeholders to improve smallholder productivity and resilience.

Responsibilities
Trial Design & Planning:

• Develop scientifically sound protocols for multi-locational trials.
• Select trial sites across diverse agro-ecological zones in Nigeria.
• Define experimental layouts, treatments, and data collection frameworks.

Trial Establishment & Management:

• Oversee land preparation, planting, crop management, and harvest activities.
• Ensure timely implementation and adherence to trial protocols.
• Coordinate field technicians, extension agents, and collaborating farmers.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with research institutes, seed companies, universities, and state ADPs.
• Manage partnerships with agro-input suppliers and field implementation partners.
• Support technology validation and dissemination pathways.

Capacity Building:

• Train field teams, extension personnel, and farmers on trial procedures and good agronomic practices.
• Support knowledge transfer and scaling initiatives.

Data Collection & Analysis:

• Lead agronomic data collection (growth stages, yield components, soil metrics, etc.).
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality control across all trial sites.
• Analyze results and synthesize findings for decision-making.

Technical Reporting & Documentation:

• Prepare periodic technical reports, summary briefs, and scientific documentation.
• Present findings to senior management, partners, and research stakeholders.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• 5 - 7 years experience managing field trials and agronomic research.
• Familiarity with Nigeria’s agro-ecological zones and cropping systems.
• Ability to travel extensively across project states.
• Proven experience with major staples; rice, maize, and cowpea.
• Strong analytical and data management skills.

Key Competencies:

• Expertise in field trial management
• Strong agronomic and soil science knowledge
• Stakeholder and partner engagement
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Data analysis and reporting capability
• Project management and coordination

Why FSSS?

• At FSSS, we believe that lasting change begins with empowering smallholder farmers.
• Our work combines innovation, data, and community engagement to develop sustainable agricultural systems that nourish families and support local economies.
• Joining our team means being part of a purpose-driven organization that values learning, collaboration, and lifelong impact. You’ll work with passionate people who care about growth, both yours and the communities we serve.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected] using the job Title as the subject of the email.

Application Deadline 1st December, 2025.