Vegetable Agronomist

About the role

The World Vegetable Center is seeking a Vegetable Agronomist to be based in Côte d'Ivoire. The role will support a five‑year program aimed at building an inclusive and competitive vegetable and potato seed sector for smallholder farmers.

Key responsibilities

• Plan, establish and manage multi‑location variety adaptation trials for vegetables and potatoes.
• Collect, manage and ensure quality of agronomic, phenotypic, pest, disease and environmental data.
• Analyze trial results and contribute to variety evaluation, including preparation of DUS and VCU data and technical reports.
• Facilitate participatory variety assessments with farmers, seed companies and other stakeholders, ensuring gender‑inclusive participation.
• Monitor, identify and diagnose pests and diseases to support breeding and integrated pest‑management strategies.
• Develop, validate and disseminate agronomic, pest and disease management practices, farmer guides and seed‑production protocols.
• Provide technical training to seed companies, extension services and farmer organizations.

Required profile

• Master’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Sciences, Soil Science, Agricultural Production Systems or a related field.
• Minimum three years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven ability to collaborate with national research systems, seed companies and consortium partners.
• Strong communication skills for training and stakeholder engagement.

Required skills

• Data collection and management for agronomic trials.
• Trial design and implementation across multiple locations.
• Pest and disease diagnosis.
• Agronomic practice development and dissemination.
• Data analysis of trial results.