Deadline of this Job: 31 October 2022.
JOB DETAILS: Purpose of the role
• The Field Associate (Field officer) will be responsible to support direct implementation of project activities based on skill and competency requirement for each assignment such as farmer mobilization and training, SME support, market linkages and ensuring planned project deliverables are achieved.
Key tasks and responsibilities
Project Implementation
• Plan and ensure all project outputs, as listed in the project documents, are effectively achieved.
• Map, register, recruit, profile and on board potential FOs, AMCOS, agro-dealers and SMEs.
• Conduct a capacity needs assessment/capacity diagnostics and determine and assess gaps in knowledge, skills, and their capacities to effectively implement the plan outcomes of the project.
• Strengthen the technical and business acumen of the SMEs, FOs, AMCOS, agro-dealers and entrepreneurs in collaboration with private sector actors and BDS providers.
• Facilitate recruitment and registration of farmers whilst capturing critical data on farmer profiles, commodities and acres under production, yield estimates and forecasts, farm management and good agriculture practices etc.
• Conduct field-level farmer outreach and mobilization to raise awareness of project activities
• Organise, coordinate and convene B2B meetings between private sector players and other market actors and facilitate business deals for critical farm inputs, output markets and auxiliary services to farmers.
• Facilitate and showcase of potential services and products from private sector partners through demonstrations.
• Organise and coordinate extension advisory service provision from private sector partners covering GAP, GMP, PHH, CSA and leverage on extension services for SHF outreach.
• Support the aggregation and facilitate access to critical demand driven farm input and services by smallholder farmers (seed, fertilizer, PHH kits, soil testing, ploughing/threshing services etc).
• Map and profile commodity off takers at regional, district level for rice, maize, sesame, sunflower and beans, identify off takers' procurement demand and link them to farmers.
Monitoring and Reporting
• Support the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) team in acquiring high level quality data for the project.
• Work closely with the PC and MEL team to ensure data collection tools are aligned to
• project’s M&E activity plan and indicators.
• Perform regular monitoring and provide updates to donor on the project activities (eg. improved seeds sold, post-harvest technology provision, aggregation and marketing, mechanization services delivered, gender participation etc).
• Provide information for Farm Africa work plan, field reports, quarterly reports and donor reports to the PC in the agreed format and according to organisational deadlines.
• Document case studies.
• With support from the MEL team, participate in community feedback sessions and document lessons for improving project delivery.
Other Roles
• To participate and represent the project and Farm Africa in relevant forums as directed by Project Coordinator
Person specification
Essential Desirable
Education, qualifications & other knowledge
• Bachelor’s degree in related activity (i.e. Agriculture, Agribusiness, Rural Development, Market Engagement, Social Development, Business administration etc.)
• Knowledge of the agriculture sector in Tanzania, including value chains and enabling environment Experience in agribusiness and market engagement
• Minimum 2+ years of experience Experience working in NGO’s
Experience
• Project management, planning & implementation Knowledge and practical experience of agribusiness
• Practical experience and knowledge around organisational Capacity Assessment.
• Knowledge of farmers’ needs, input supply, aggregated marketing, B2B linkages, PHHS, advisory services/GAP and value addition.
• Experience in marketing and access to digital financing model
Skills & abilities
• Agribusiness Intelligence Market linkages
• Proficiency in spoken English & Kiswahili
• Strong communication (both verbal & written) & Interpersonal Skills
• Excellent in stakeholder management and networking
• Ability to work under pressure
Our Values
• Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.
EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm
Africa does.
GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local
communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.
IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.
BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.
Deadline of this Job: 25 October 2022
JOB DETAILS: Responsibilities
Overseeing all aspects of plantation management and development, particularly in regards to the vanilla crop and other inter cropped species (e.g., banana, tutor trees,etc). This will include;
• Managing all plantation performance (data based), ensuring the security of the plantation and the whole premise that the plantation is built on
• Assessing the viability of external/Joint Venture commercial plantations
• Coordinating the development of the plantation and related infrastructure,on time and on budget
• Running a nursery, and ensuring the successful propagation of healthy and productive vines within the plantation and to out growers
• Ensuring the environmental and economic sustainability of the plantation,including the development of financial and agronomic models, managing
• towards target harvest forecasts, and ensuring the quality (maturity), quantity (yield), and integrity of the harvest
• Conducting trials and investigations of improved agronomic practices and acclimatization for vanilla
• Performing all the required activities for the achievement of organic farming certification, and adhering to organic vanilla farming practices
• Providing technical, data-backed recommendations to VCOEs, out growers,
Performance, Talent & career management of all plantation staff at all levels ensuring that;
• Performance appraisals are done in a timely fashion, adhering to standards,and do add value to the overall company performance.
• Employees are supported with coaching, mentoring, and training needed to develop the right knowledge and skills needed by the company.
• Salary increments, promotions, and bonuses are fairly awarded based on performance and are aligned to helping the company grow
• Conflicts are resolved in a timely fashion, and with minimal disruption to business
• Contracted companies (e.g. security) are performing and adding value to the business as per their contracts All approvals (e.g., leave, procurement, salary advance, etc) are handled in a timely fashion, with the highest discretion, integrity, and without violating any company policies
• People processes such as hiring, PIPs, and disciplinary actions are conducted according to policy and with consultation from HR department
Planning, forecasting, and strategizing to ensure that;
• There is always sufficient resources for running the plantation.
• There is alignment between the plantation and other related departments such as production, QA, & Engineering in running operations
• Vanilla yields are optimized year over year to ensure the maximum possible output
• Risks to business continuity are assessed, mitigation strategy formulated, and agreed recommendations implemented as per the SWOT framework
• Annual budgeting is done and adhered to for all aspects of running the plantations (both main, and satellite)
Requirements
Knowledge and Experience
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Agronomy, Horticulture, or Agricultural Sciences, with a Master’s degree preferable;
• At least 6 years of experience in a managerial position; ideally with at least one leadership level reporting to them, and having interacted with various stakeholders i.e., government officials, farmers, etc.
• At least 3 years of experience in plantation-based value chain management;
• Experienced in smallholder farmer & plantation operations management, IT systems, budgeting, report narrative writing and how to use software applications/analytics for data reporting;
• Demonstrated strong leadership, able to inspire and influence others, set their teams’ strategy and lead their work independently;
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills, able to relate to multiple foreign cultures, and manage people effectively in difficult circumstances
• Ability to resolve conflicts, & negotiate effectively with 3rd parties, including government officials, contractors and farmer groups, following correct policies and procedures