Project Coordinator , Seeds of Expertise for the Vegetable Industry in Africa (SEVIA)

Project Coordinator – Tanzania

STARTING DATE:  March 1, 2014 or earlier (to be agreed)

OPPORTUNITY:

The purpose of the project SEVIA (Seeds of Expertise for the Vegetable Industry in Africa (SEVIA)) is to contribute to the food security strategy and vegetable industry development for Africa. The driving force behind SEVIA is a consortium of two leading vegetable seed companies, East-West Seed and Rijk Zwaan, and Wageningen UR, Applied Plant Research. The partners have an interest to develop the African vegetable sector by providing adapted varieties to the farmers and by setting up an African Institute for Vegetable Technology (IVT) for the development, implementation and dissemination of farm innovations and the screening of genetic vegetable resources for Africa.

The Dutch horticultural industry expects interesting future business opportunities In Africa. However, to yield these opportunities the sector needs to be uplifted to a more professionalized vegetable value chain. Africa’s farmers and rural population are confronted with low productivity and poverty. The currently available vegetables seeds and varieties are of poor quality, there is little knowledge of modern crop management, pest & disease control, food safety aspects, responsible irrigation, post-harvest handling, marketing strategy and fresh logistics. Market linkages between producers, traders and consumers require new initiatives, which will be addressed by SEVIA.

SEVIA is a seven-year project with a dominant role of the private sector in vegetable farming extension with the ambition to actually support African vegetable farmers with improved varieties and adapted innovations. The project is co-financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through a Public Private Partnership agreement.

SEVIA is presently in its inception phase. The project is a pioneering effort. It involves building from scratch agricultural extension programs, forming a team and setting up trial and demonstration farms in locations throughout Tanzania. The project partners are now looking for an experienced project coordinator who will be based in Tanzania and will be responsible for organizing and managing the project’s operations, both in the start-up phase and going forward.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Project Coordinator will be responsible for organizing and developing the Institute for Vegetable Technology (IVT), including organizing the establishment and operation of multiple variety screening and demonstration farms in locations throughout the country and building the agricultural extension project team in Tanzania, so that it can effectively transfer improved vegetable production and post-production technologies to farmers and would-be farmers, organize and manage variety screening locations and demonstration farms, and link producers to markets through project management and training / extension activities. The Project Coordinator will report to the SEVIA Steering Committee and will work closely together with Tanzania based staff of the SEVIA partners.

PROJECT LOCATION: Tanzania (various locations)

KEY RESULT AREAS:

The key result areas for this position are:

1. IVT Strategy – assess the opportunities and needs in the vegetable industry development and food security of Tanzania; provide direction and leadership in building and developing the IVT organization, including setting up variety screening and demonstration locations and agricultural extension strategy and activities for SEVIA; build strategic partnerships in the area for the transfer of vegetable growing technology.

2. Development of IVT Programs / Projects – meet with vegetable farmers and gather relevant information; generate proposals for agricultural extension programs for the review of the Executive Management Committee; this may include farmers’ field schools and vegetable growing training modules; develop and execute detailed work plans for organization of trial and demonstration farms throughout Tanzania; secure the necessary funding and resources; ensure effective coordination of technical inputs in proposal development; build capacity to transfer vegetable growing technology from scratch, as relevant in the socio-cultural and economic situation in Tanzania; steer agricultural extension programs and projects from conceptualization to conclusion; develop and maintain productive working relationships with project sponsors and donors; develop strategic alliances and act as contact between local and international partner-NGOs, organizations, government and funding agencies officials.

3. Management of IVT Programs / Projects – acquire, establish, develop and maintain farming facilities, land and equipment for effective and efficient functioning of all variety screening, farmer demonstration and agricultural extension programs and provide guidance to staff; organize lectures and hands-on training regarding cultural management of different vegetable crops and other related training; ensure that programs and projects remain within the scope of their initial design, budget and purpose; support vegetable farms and field sites in the fulfillment of their duties according to program/project design; ensure that appropriate systems and plans are in place for dealing with emergencies, provide leadership for staff in case of emergencies; establish systems and standards for evaluating projects against objectives; ensure there is a regular, documented forum/meeting for all key staff to discuss and plan program objectives and plans

4. Staff Management and Development – attract, recruit, train and manage agricultural field staff effectively; coordinate and support project management teams, ensure effective teamwork among staff, develop and apply project policies, ensure that staff are funded according to the project budgets; responsible for the security of staff.

5. Representation / Public Relations – represent SEVIA to local and national authorities, international donors, NGOs, both local and international, civil society organization; support the project’s technology transfer strategy and the development of the vegetable industry in Africa; contribute to its food security strategy.

6. Finance Management – oversee budget preparation for the SEVIA project and the relevant programs and training activities; ensure that projects are implemented within their budgets, ensure and anticipate donor reporting schedules, including spending plan projections, establish and maintain field accounting systems.

7. Administration and Logistics – ensure that appropriate logistic, administrative and financial structures and procedures for SEVIA are established and maintained.

QUALIFICATIONS:

SEVIA is looking for an experienced project coordinator with the following key qualities:
- Ten years of experience in agro-project management in Africa
- Knowledge of the horticultural sector on a BSc, MSc or equivalent level
- Fluent in English, writing, reporting skills
- Preference for candidates from Africa, who speak, read and write Swahili
- Ability to organize a complex new organization
- Practical attitude, hands-on and people manager; a practical background in horticulture will be a strong advantage
- Ability to maintain relations with Government Institutions and Authorities as well as with the local community
- Affection with business oriented development cooperation
- Interest in small scale farming sector and commercial horticulture
- Ability to motivate and manage multi-disciplinary organization, both of high educated and lower educated staff. 
- Motivated to invest in a long term assignment in the vegetable sector of Africa
- Willingness to travel within Tanzania and in the East African region

For further information or to apply, please contact Mr Francis-Ferdinand C. Cincofrancis.cinco@eastwestseed.com