Syngenta Group is one of the world’s leading sustainable agriculture innovation companies, with roots going back more than 250 years. Our 53,000 people across more than 100 countries strive every day to transform agriculture through tailor-made solutions for the benefit of farmers, society and our planet – making us the world’s most local agricultural technology and innovation partner.

Syngenta Group is committed to operating at the highest standards of ethics and integrity. This is a commitment that we are making to investors, customers, society and employees. Syngenta Group is also committed to maintaining a workplace environment free from discrimination and Harassment.

Role Purpose

• Accountability and co-ordination of successful NPI registration & technical trials in East Africa contributing to the future profitability and growth of the business by means of:
  • Efficient registration trials program to ensure fast and effective registrations of NPI’s
  • Technical trials to localize and position NPI’s based for local need.
  • Training and knowledge transfer to internal and external stakeholders on Syngenta technologies and NPI’s.
• Lead, grow and shape direct team members. 
• Build and strengthen relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Internal: CPD TMD Lead, CPD PB, Regulatory team, commercial and marketing teams.
  • External: CRO’s linked to PCPB, CropLife, key researcher influencers & research organizations.
• CPD input into PDC cycle.

Accountabilities

• CPD representation during PDC (Portfolio Definition Cycle) - business case contribution and project prioritization.
• Identify technical portfolio gaps and define the technical profile of potential options.
• Overall this role will be responsible for CP registration and technical trialing execution on a country level.
• Engagement with Product Biology team: Protocol demand decision and requests.
• Proactive participation in and contribution to protocol design.
• Trial prioritization and allocation. Timeous Timely trial planning and execution.
• Successful trials: Strive to achieve a 100% success rate of allocated trials in terms of quality (conclusiveness) and on-time delivery – KPI13.
• Ensure all registration trials with contract trialists are executed well and data utilization for these trials is maximized for building solid technical value propositions.
• Reporting of trial results. Also, any observations/results not specified in the protocol.
• Responsible for arranging key meetings: e.g., protocol, IRBM, Tech conference, status report meetings with local team and CRO’s.
• Validates results and give recommendations / insights on performance of tested products and solutions at single and combined trial levels.
• Arrange physical, virtual and/or trial field information days to train internal and external stakeholders to influence them positively on Syngenta portfolio.
• Responsible to engagement with local and other BA colleagues (Regulatory, CPD, marketing and Sales) and technical support.
• Establish good relationships with relevant external stakeholders, e.g. CRO’s linked to PCPB, CropLife, key researcher influencers & research organizations and distribution (where relevant).
• Keep abreast of market, trade and competitor activities in order to adapt to changing environments.
• The Senior Field Scientist can also have expert responsibility within BA or country, which creates the following additional accountabilities:
  • Owner of technical expertise per product, crop or subject matter.
  • Drive standardization and transformation of ways of working
  • Spread expertise through result meetings, training and sharing of best practices
• Ensure that all operations under direct control comply with Syngenta Health, Safety & Environment policies and guidelines as well as any other relevant Syngenta or statutory policies.
• Support sustainably and stewardship activities in the country.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

Experience and qualifications

• Minimum B.Sc. Degree in Agriculture with majors in plant pathology, entomology, agronomy or weed science
• Preferably with at least 5 years product development experience.
• Proven track record of technical knowledge in the agronomical field (crop protection focused), having a influenceable reputation in the agricultural industry. 
• Leadership and management experience.

Critical Knowledge

• Product development procedures and field trialing methodology.
• Good knowledge of crop protection products, diseases, pests, nematodes, weeds and crops.
• High level knowledge on agricultural/agronomy practices and crop protection.
• Good interpersonal relationship skills, building relationships with commercial and other stakeholders.
• Ability to lead and direct on local level.
• Ability to present in front of audience and influence stakeholders.

Critical Skills

• Identify opportunities, recognize threats and to be pro-active (problem identification and solving)
• Reliable and trustworthy
• Work independently
• Innovative mindset
• Results driven for commercial impact
• Communication in English with stakeholders.
• Trialing methodology
• Report writing, interpretation and presentation (formal and field - English and local)
• Planning and organizing
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Ability to initiate first contacts
• Strong networking and relationship-building skills
• Self-starter.
• People management/leadership skills.

Location: Kenya, preferably Nairobi with mobility across East Africa.