Agronomist Trainer

Based at: Ruaka - Kiambu County with 80% of time in the field

Start Date: March 15th 2013

Reports to: Farm Shop COO

Contract Period: 1 year renewable

About Farm Shop trust:

Farm Shop is a social enterprise with the mission of increasing small holder productivity by providing farmers high quality products, services and information.

We believe that smallholder farming is about opportunity, choice and knowledge.

We are accomplishing this by establishing a franchise network of agro dealers located in rural, underserved areas of Kenya.

Our retail shops are clean, modern, and professionally managed.

We provide all the tools that the farmers of the future need to be successful, whether that's high-quality hybrid seeds, affordable financing, soil-testing services, or cutting-edge training and information.

Each of our franchisees is an emerging leader in their community and their shop becomes the hub of everything new and innovative.

Overall Purpose

To provide training of franchisees and farmers in Kiambu county and participate in promotional events, farmer’s clinics and demonstration days.

Main Activities/Key tasks

The Agronomist will report to Farm Shop’s COO. The following tasks will be undertaken on behalf of Farm Shop:

To provide training of Farm Shop’s existing franchisees and shop assistants
Participate in promotional events, market days and farmer’s clinics
Perform monthly bank reconciliation and inventory control.
Provide technical input on the set up of demo farms and train farmers is best practices during demonstration day events
Support field agents in farmer group visits
Develop training curriculum for franchisee and shop assistants
Advise management and franchisees on agricultural product suppliers
Standards of Performance and Behavior
Honesty, integrity and transparency in dealings with stakeholders and clients.
Great communicator and trainer
Analytical and pro active attitude towards problem solving
Professional conduct in all operational matters

Education/qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture and 5 years of experience working with small holder farmers. Previous experience as a trainer is a plus.

Skills:

Fluent English and Swahili
Analytical and writing skills
Communication and interpersonal skills
Use of MS Word, Excel, Power-point and Outlook

Personal Qualities:

Honesty, integrity and a set of values that encourages productive work in others
Willingness to travel extensively in Kenya and beyond and to work long hours if required
Ability to engage with a diversity of audiences both within target communities and beneficiaries.

Interested candidates please send CV and cover letter to Julio.desouza@farmshop.co.ke copy to vwaithaka@mkazi.co.ke before February 15th 2013