Overview

Fintrac, a leading US-based agriculture-consulting firm with long-term programs in Africa, Asia, and Central America, is seeking a Value Chain Services Manager for the Feed the Future Tanzania Mboga na Matunda activity. 

POSITION (1)- SENIOR AGRONOMIST

Fintrac, a leading US-based agriculture-consulting firm with long-term programs in Africa, Asia, and Central America, is looking to hire the Senior Agronomists for Feed the Future Tanzania Mboga na Matunda program. 

Location: Iringa

Responsibilities:

The Senior Agronomist will be responsible for al the agronomic activities for Iringa region. He/she will report to the Senior Production Advisor and will provide leadership, technical and strategic guidance to the Project Agronomists. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, he/she is expected to contribute fully as a program team member, conducting him/herself in a proper manner at all times as a representative of the program, and being responsible for the safe-keeping and care of all program assets assigned to him/her. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that Junior agronomists in the region(s) understand their strategic contributions under the project design – to expand smallholder commercial horticulture and strengthen linkages with the sub-sector.
• Assist project management to understand the production potential of the region(s) and the means of unlocking it. This includes the identification of regional constraints and opportunities within the horticulture value chain as wel as relevant stakeholders.
• Drive market linkages and relationship building between regional stakeholders to stimulate the supply of inputs, technology adoption, financing, service provision, sales and value addition.
• Provide technical support and management to the field agronomists within the selected region(s) by conducting regular, programmed visits to the agronomists’ area of work. Ensure that agronomists are properly trained, professional and carrying out all of the tasks assigned to them, including proper adoption of agriculture technologies, M&E/reporting activities, and support to assigned partners.
• Provide regular feedback to the agronomist on their performance and inform the Production Manager of their progress in a weekly report.
• Provide training and technical assistance to partner field staff and other key technical stakeholders
• Collaborate with the Regional Technical Coordinator (RTC) and other operational managers for the efficient and coordinated outreach of other Mboga na Matunda field specialists to Activity farmers. This includes the work of marketing, nutrition, processing and finance specialists.
• Take a proactive role in ensuring that the project meets its targets of significant involvement of women and youth into the commercial horticultural value chain.
• Support and interact with regional stakeholders from the private sector, government extension officers and partners as necessary. This wil require representing the project in dealings with buyers, exporters, trade associations, government agencies, universities, research agencies, relevant donor programs, and strategic partners to help further the activities and objectives of the project.
• Identifying and recommending strategic partnerships or alliances in the region(s) for the expansion of MnM-supported activities to MnM management.
• Assist agronomists in planning, budgeting and conducting successful, well-attended farmer field days and other public events like Farmer to Farmer events, Nane Nane, etc.
• Taking responsibility for all Technology Fund procurements that are arranged in his/her region, ensuring that the transactions are properly executed and documented.
• Supervising the development of technical materials for training courses, workshops, marketing/trade events, and other activities.
• Providing input for work plans and budgets, quarterly and monthly reports, program success stories, etc., as required.
• Taking the lead in the production-based, value chain initiatives within the region(s). This requires the timely implementation of all activities described in the project work plan, e.g. market-led production, aggregation initiatives, inputs supply issues, etc.
• Performing any other duties as may be required by the Senior Production Advisor.

Key Qualifications & Characteristics:

• University or Diploma level in Agriculture or related fields.
• Must have at least 3 years’ work experience in the production of commercial horticulture crops.
• Ability to provide training and extension to farmer groups and partner staff.
• Must be able to drive standard gear 4X4 pickup trucks.
• Computer knowledge.
• Physically fit and capable of a demanding work schedule in the field.
• Ability to work without daily direct supervision.
• Honest and responsible work ethics.

Mode of Application;

Candidates should submit a CV and Cover letter to mnmrecruit@fintrac.com. Deadline for submission is Friday, April 12, 2019. Candidates should indicate the position for which they are applying in the subject line. Learn more about Fintrac and our work at www.fintrac.com