/ / / / Job Opportunity at Fintrac Inc Tanzania - Iringa

Job Opportunity at Fintrac Inc Tanzania - Iringa


New Job Vacancies at Fintrac Inc Tanzania - Iringa | Deadline: 12th April, 2019

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.

JOB VACANCIES
POSITION (1)- VALUE CHAIN SERVICES MANAGER
Location: Iringa

Responsibilities:

  • The Value Chain Services Manager will be based in Iringa and reports to the Chief of Party. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, he/she is expected to contribute fully as a program team member, conducting himself/herself in a proper manner at all times as a representative of the program, and is responsible for the safe-keeping and care of all program assets assigned to him/her. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Supervise, manage, mentor and coordinate a team of value chain services specialists, consisting of regional coordinators, market facilitators, finance and credit specialists, agronomists, and processing specialists across four regions of the Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar.
  • Ensure that the work plans for each component (Regional Coordination, Agronomy, Marketing, Processing, and Finance and Credit) are executed on a timely basis and with high quality. This requires constant monitoring of activities, frequent communication with staff, and frequent visits to the field for supervision and problem-solving.
  • Synchronize the activities of these specialists with the Activity’s partners (e.g. agro-input companies, processors, & exporters), the nutrition and social inclusion component, the monitoring and evaluation team, local governments and other value chain stakeholders.
  • Ensure that major events are properly planned, and executed on time.
  • Assist the value chain services components in developing strategic plans and interventions for the achievement of FTFT-MnM targets and the growth of the horticulture sector in general.
  • Regular reporting (at least weekly) to the Chief of Party on all value chain service components.
  • Support the COP and DCOP in representing the Activity informal events, meetings, conferences, as required.
  • Support the COP / DCOP in the development of quarterly reports, presentations, and other communications materials, as needed.
  • Supervise and report to the Human Resources manager any challenges in the general operation of the Iringa office and the Iringa carpools.
  • Collaborate with senior managers to achieve FTFT-MnM’s higher-level outcomes.
  • Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Chief of Party. 

Key Qualifications & Characteristics:

  • Candidates must have a minimum of 10 years of proven experience in the management of multidisciplinary teams and in-depth knowledge of the horticulture value chain and its challenges. In addition, she/he must have the following:
  • University degree in agriculture, rural development, marketing, business administration & management or a related field.
  • At least ten years of experience in similar positions in the agriculture sector or in rural development in Tanzania. Strong preference is given to candidates with proven private sector credentials.
  • Excellent organizational and management skills.
  • Strategic thinker.
  • Good communicator with the ability to work with people from different backgrounds.
  • Dynamic, self-starter who is always looking for work and who sets goals and makes sure they are achieved.
  • Physically fit and capable of a demanding work schedule in the field.


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