Job Description
- The Agronomist Intern will provide crucial support to Ikore's agricultural projects, contributing to research, field operations, and the implementation of sustainable farming practices. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a budding agronomist to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic international development setting, with a strong focus on soil health and climate-smart agricultural solutions.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist in the planning, execution, and monitoring of agricultural field trials and demonstrations.
- Conduct soil sampling, testing, and interpretation of soil data for crop nutrition planning.
- Support the development and dissemination of best agricultural practices to farmers and project beneficiaries, with an emphasis on regenerative agriculture principles.
- Participate in farmer trainings and capacity-building activities related to crop production, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling.
- Conduct literature reviews and research on relevant agricultural topics, including soil health, soil fertility management, soil conservation techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and specific crop value chains.
- Assist in linking soil analysis results to practical crop management recommendations.
- Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, presentations, and other communication materials.
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure the successful implementation of agricultural interventions.
- Assist in the identification and assessment of suitable farming technologies and innovations that contribute to climate-smart agricultural solutions.
- Monitor and report on crop health, yield, and other relevant agricultural indicators.
- Support data entry and management for agricultural activities, potentially using GIS tools, soil mapping software, or digital agronomy platforms.
- Connect agronomic findings to market or value chain recommendations, aligning with Ikore’s market inclusion strategy.
- Adhere to all safety protocols and environmental guidelines during field work.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the project lead or supervising agronomist.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Agronomy, Crop Science, Soil Science, Agricultural Extension, or a closely related field.
- 0-1 year of experience; recent graduates or individuals with prior agricultural internship experience are encouraged to apply.
- Basic understanding of agricultural principles, crop production, and sustainable farming practices.
- Knowledge or experience in soil health, soil fertility management, soil testing, and soil conservation techniques is preferred.
- Familiarity with data collection methods and basic agricultural tools.
- Experience with or willingness to learn GIS tools, soil mapping software, or digital agronomy platforms.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a field-based environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
- Passion for sustainable agriculture and international development.
- Knowledge of local agricultural contexts and practices (desirable).