Director, Fertilizer & Soil Health Hub

About the role

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is seeking a senior leader to direct the Fertilizer & Soil Health Hub for West Africa and the Sahel. Based at IITA’s Ibadan campus, the Director will oversee hub operations across 21 countries, driving large‑scale initiatives that improve soil health, increase yields, and enhance climate resilience for smallholder farmers.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and manage public‑private partnerships with governments, fertilizer industry, development investors and technical partners.
• Lead a multidisciplinary technical team and coordinate national focal points in 11 target countries.
• Define and implement the hub’s strategic vision, ensuring alignment with regional agricultural priorities.
• Oversee the design, financing and execution of investments exceeding $1 billion aimed at soil health improvement.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing, capacity building and technical support across the value chain.
• Monitor and report on hub performance, impact metrics and resource utilization.

Required profile

• Proven senior leadership experience in agricultural development, preferably in Africa.
• Demonstrated success in managing large, multi‑country programs and complex stakeholder ecosystems.
• Deep understanding of fertilizer technologies, soil health practices and climate‑smart agriculture.
• Strong track record of building and sustaining public‑private partnerships.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with high‑level decision makers.

Required skills