Agronomy Adviser 1 - CASH Project

Zanzibar, Tanzania 12 Month Kizimbani Agricultural Training Institute (KATI)

About VSO

VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.

Role overview

VSO – Tanzania (Tz) has more than 50 years of operations delivering livelihoods projects supporting vulnerable people via promoting of small to medium business enterprise; supporting vocational training and skills development in local trades; and strengthening structures and networks of community-based organisations that are involved in economic development. The VSO Secure Livelihoods program would like to recruit dynamic and qualified personnel to fill a vacancy position of agronomy adviser. The adviser will work in a project named Commercial agriculture for Smallholder Farmers (CASH) in Zanzibar, Tanzania that aims to contribute to strengthening value chain linking smallholder farmers to markets, in view of increased productivity, competitiveness and income in the horticulture sector in Zanzibar. The adviser will work closely with the project team and the main goal of the role is to providing technical assistance to local partner organizations in strengthening technical capacity of farmers on horticulture production. More specifically, the adviser will: o Provide training and advice to registered farmer groups on good agricultural practices and management in Pemba and Unguja o Formation and train new farmers groups in Ugunja and Pemba respectively on good agriculture practices o Ensure all farmer groups records, notebooks, demonstration farms and maps are updated o Coordinate the functioning of lead farmers o Support the promotion of (rain) water harvesting structures for sustainable water management in irrigation agriculture o Support the organisation of learning visits for local producers to agricultural exhibition shows, to related project sites or other region o Ensure farmer groups are sensitize to use agriculture production information system

Skills, qualifications and experience required

Essential - Qualified graduate in Agriculture/ Horticulture or related subjects with at least 2 years of experience in agricultural development ideally supporting producer groups/ associations - Experience in crop husbandry in the agricultural sector Desirable - Previous experience of working on similar project - Experience in value chain development methodologies - Experience in Fair-trade and Organic horticulture

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How to apply

If you’re interested in applying for this role, please download the job description to read more details about the position and the skills and experience we’re looking for. To submit your application, click on ‘Apply now’ and complete all relevant fields on the online application form.

Application closing date

13 Mar 2015

Interview/Assessment date(s)

To be confirmed

Start date

asap

Click here to download the job description in PDF format

Agronomy Adviser 1 - CASH Project