IFA is hiring

Director, Market Intelligence

Position Overview

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is looking for a highly qualified Director to head its Market Intelligence Service, which collects, processes, analyses, reports on and monitors fertilizer capacity, production, trade, and demand related data and statistics. The ideal candidate will have knowledge about plant nutrition and the fertilizer industry, be familiar with data collection and market analysis, possess great people skills, and have excellent management and communications skills.

The Director reports to the Director General of IFA and will work in close cooperation with the other colleagues of the Market Intelligence Service, as well as with the other IFA services.

The Director will be based at the IFA’s office in Paris as a preferred location and will commence his/her duties as soon as possible in 2020. EU/UK nationality or work permit preferred.

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is the only global fertilizer association, with a membership of over 450 entities, encompassing all sectors in the fertilizer value chain: producers, traders, distributors, service providers, advisors, research organizations and NGOs. IFA promotes the efficient and responsible production, distribution and use of plant nutrients to enable sustainable agricultural systems that contribute to a world free of hunger and malnutrition.

Main Duties

  • Coordinating and overseeing IFA’s statistical collection programs from IFA members and additional sources pertaining to fertilizer capacity, production, trade, demand (both for agricultural and industrial applications; for main commodities and special products).
  • Overseeing IFA’s multiple statistical reports, data management, data integration and optimization.
  • Providing market analysis for short- and medium-term global market outlooks and regional market outlooks, staying up to date on major industry trends, technology innovations and associated relevant sectors (incl. energy, decarbonization, agriculture, policies).
  • Producing and overseeing other supply and demand related materials (presentations and papers) and organizing meetings and events for IFA members and external audiences (incl. an international Annual Committee Conference).
  • Leading the activities of IFA’s Market Intelligence Committee, as well as Task Forces and Working Groups.
  • Strengthening IFA’s unique value proposition in the field of market intelligence, e.g. by integrating new digital technologies in the product portfolio.
  • Managing a staff of six and having a close collaboration with other IFA Services.
  • Interacting with a broad range of IFA members and stakeholders from around the world and representing IFA at high level meetings, as well as taking part in external public speaking engagements and webinars.
  • Reviewing and providing support to all internal and external documents with fertilizer market scope (demand/supply).
  • Oversee and continue the development of one of IFA’s regional initiatives.
  • Monitor antitrust developments and ensure that all market intelligence efforts carried out by IFA are fully compliant with IFA’s antitrust policy.

Required Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in economics, commodity markets, mining, industrial chemistry, agriculture, or statistics.
  • Professional experience in carrying out as well as supervising market intelligence activities (supply and demand) for a particular industry segment for a trade association, consultant, or other entity.
  • Good knowledge of the global fertilizer industry, fertilizer products, feedstocks and production processes, trade and distribution logistics preferred.
  • Knowledge of plant nutrition concepts and fundamental drivers of fertilizer demand is an advantage.
  • Excellent writing and oral communication skills.
  • Fluency in English (the working language of IFA). Other languages would be an advantage.
  • Management experience and experience in public speaking.
  • International experience (ability to travel internationally a few times a year).
  • Digital tech savvy.

The candidate must have a valid working permit, eligible to work in EU/UK.

Application

To apply, please send a CV and a cover letter to: recruitmentDirMI@fertilizer.org. We will contact only the candidates whose profile meets our requirements.

Market Analyst - Phosphates

Please, note that this is an active recruitment campaign despite the covid-19 pandemic.

Position Overview

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is looking for an experienced analyst and enthusiastic individual to support IFA’s phosphate statistics programs, with a primary focus on supply and international trade, as well as phosphate demand (including industrial, agricultural and special products within the phosphate sector). This position is part of the Market Intelligence Service of IFA. The Analyst will report to the Director of that service and will work in close cooperation with other colleagues, including other Services at IFA. The position is based at IFA’s office in Paris.

Main Duties

Under the supervision of the Senior Director of the Market Intelligence Service and in close collaboration with the Programme Manager for the Supply, the Analyst will perform the following activities:

  • Manage phosphate statistics programs both on supply and demand, maintaining IFA’s comprehensive global phosphate database up to date, expanding, improving and further optimizing data management;
  • Ensure comprehensive data collection of phosphate statistics from multiple/primary sources on production, trade, consumption and capacities and timely publication of regular annual and quarterly phosphate reports covering phosphoric acid, DAP, MAP, TSP, SSP and phosphate rock in compliance with IFA’s anti-trust guidelines;
  • Monitor the developments in the feedstock markets, including sulphuric acid and sulphur;
  • Maintain and develop a global network of active phosphate correspondents/contributors, expanding it further, as well as take part in launching new surveys as and when required;
  • Contribute to the statistics collection of complex NPK compound fertilizers and Special Products within the Phosphate Sector;
  • Improve the coverage of the industrial phosphates data;
  • Contribute to the global phosphate market analysis, monitor key and new trends, policy developments, innovations in the sector;
  • Represent IFA at conferences, including public speaking with presentations and webinars;
  • Respond to IFA member enquiries in the phosphate sector.

Required Qualifications

  • Advanced degree in economics, agriculture/agronomy, statistics.
  • 5+ years of relevant professional experience in the fertilizer analysis/statistics.
  • Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills. Attention to detail.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage projects and analyze data.
  • Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Fluency in English (the working language of IFA). Other languages would be an advantage.
  • Demonstrated ability to build a network of contacts and collect information using this network.
  • Ability to create new industry surveys from scratch.
  • Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural context.
  • Excellent team player.
  • Ability to travel internationally a few times a year.

The candidate must be a citizen of a European Union (EU) Member State, eligible to work in France.

Application

To apply, please send a resume and a cover letter to: recruitmentMI@fertilizer.org. We will contact only the candidates whose profile meets our requirements.

The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is the only global fertilizer association, with a membership of about 500 entities, encompassing all sectors in the fertilizer value chain: producers, traders, distributors, service providers, advisors, research organizations and NGOs. IFA promotes the efficient and responsible production, distribution and use of plant nutrients to enable sustainable agricultural systems that contribute to a world free of hunger and malnutrition.