Agronomist TechnoServe Uganda

GENERAL INFORMATION

TechnoServe Uganda is implementing a four-year pilot project, titled Project Nurture that will demonstrate the ability of smallholder farmers to increase their fruit incomes at least two- fold by becoming long-term sustainable suppliers of mango and passion fruits both for sale in Fresh fruit market as well as processing value chains. The goal of this program is to improve smallholder farmer incomes through productivity improvements; development of farmer based organizations and facilitate market linkages sustainably. TechnoServe now seeks to hire highly competent individuals for the following position:



Agronomist



REPORTS TO: Senior Business Manager

POSITION LOCATION: This is a field based position. The job holder will be based in Mbale with frequent travel to Soroti, Kumi, Budaka, Pallisa, Bukedea, Manafwa, Sironko and other districts where the project operates.



PRIMARY PURPOSE:

Implement and refine agronomy strategies that will enable smallholder mango and passion fruit growers to increase fruits quality and yields. This person will be responsible for the physical set-up and maintenance of the demo plots including pruning, weeding, scouting, IPM, harvesting, etc. according to the crop protocol.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Advise and train farmers on best agronomy practices in order to improve mango and passion fruits yields and quality.
* Support the hiring and coaching of Community Extension Service Providers (CESPs) supporting demo-plot hosts.
* Ensure that farmers, organized into Producer Business Groups, are trained effectively in sustainable mango and passion fruit management systems including soil management and conservation, integrated pest, disease and weed management, environmental conservation and shade systems
* Support the mango and passion fruit crop protocol and agronomy best practices lesson plan development and revision;
* Ensuring that demonstration plots (for KH7 passion fruit, local purple and mangoes) are established and maintained correctly, including sourcing of inputs for the demos.
* Ensuring farmers have appropriate linkages to suppliers of inputs and other farm requirements.
* Study and advise on correct /best harvesting and post harvesting techniques to ensure successful and high quality yield.
* Ensuring farmers have proper record management and budgeting processes to allow understanding of production costs
* Help develop strategies to teach effective means of land resources management in a sustainable and optimal manner both environmentally and commercially. Manage demo-plot budget in an appropriate and prudent manner to reach our targets Report to the Senior Business Manager (SBM) on demo-plot progress in order to identify issues and come up with a plan to improve demo-plot performance. Ensure the Agronomy team (CESPs) produces and maintains necessary data for Monitoring and Evaluation purposes.
* Actively engage in industry initiatives and partnership with key industry stakeholders, including agro-chemical suppliers, fertilizer suppliers, fresh produce regulatory bodies etc.

Requirement:

REQUIREMENTS:

* Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field -, agriculture, horticulture, botany and other crop sciences.
* At least 3 years’ professional experience – ideally private sector – in one or more of the following areas: farm management or agronomy, SME development, project or agribusiness.
* Experience working with farmers in the specific district fluency in English,
* Strong planning skills and experience working to strict time-guidelines
* Strong interpersonal and cross-cultural skills
* Proven leadership ability combined with excellent communication skills
* Willingness to spend significant time in rural areas
* Computer literacy
* Business Acumen

Salary: - USD/month
How to apply:

If you are interested and you meet the requirements, apply by EMAIL ONLY to the Country Director at: ugandajobs@tns.org with the position title placed in the subject line and on the application letter. Send ONLY your application letter and resume with names and telephone contacts of three professional referees. All applications must be received by close of business Wednesday 30th November 2011.