National Crop Production Specialist 86 views2 applications

Project Description:

The Feed the Future Ethiopia Value Chain Activity is part of the US Government’s Feed the Future Initiative and the Government of Ethiopia’s (GoE) Agricultural Growth Program II (AGP-II), and represents a major United States Agency for International Development (USAID) investment in the agricultural sector over the next five years. Agribusiness consulting firm Fintrac Inc. will implement the activity from January 2017 to December 2021. The activity will support the commercialization of smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia by improving the ability of smallholder farmers to meet both international and domestic demand and quality standards in chickpea, coffee, dairy, maize, and livestock (meat and live animals) value chains.

Position Summary:

The Crop Production Specialist, based at the program’s office in Addis Ababa, reports directly to the Crop Value Chain Advisor.  In addition to the specific tasks stated below, S/he is expected to contribute fully as a program team member, conducting her/himself in a proper manner at all times as a representative of the program, and is responsible for the safekeeping and care of all program assets assigned to the agribusiness unit. The Crop Production Specialist respects the leadership and guidance provided by the Crop Value Chain Advisor and actively contributes to the welfare and working environment of the FTFE-VCA office.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

VALUE CHAIN SUPPORT

• Technical and agronomic backstopping on market-oriented production of maize and chickpea across all of the regional work plans.
• Identification and implementation of the interventions and field-based training regimes needed by maize and chickpea producers and cooperatives to increase the production volume, productivity, consistency, quality, and overall profitability of their farming systems.
• Train the activity staff and its partner field technicians and counterparts in improved crop packages and extension approach that incorporates the latest recommendations on agronomic and commercial best practices and new technologies.
• Provide a lead science-based role in coordinating responses to new and emerging threats from peats and disease in maize, chickpea, and fodder crops, with a particular focus on the Fall Armyworm (FAW) and Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND).
• Design and implement technologies and productivity models that can be adopted and/or scaled up by producer groups/Associations, SMEs, Cooperatives and Unions, in targeted areas.
• Coordinate crop-related technical linkages with research institutions, local and international consultants, Government agencies, and key private-sector organizations.
• Plan, facilitate, coordinate and monitor a wide range of crop development activities from the farm level to the processor and markets.
• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge base on new varieties, production systems, agrochemical and fertilizer input specifications.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the activity PERSUAP and provide technical and training support to ensure consistent compliance across the activity scope of work.
• Monitor any specific pesticide issues and provide a rapid-response function to prevent and/or mitigate adverse risks to persons, crops, livestock, and the environment.
• Monitor and ensure consistent high-quality agronomic standards are applied across all project-sponsored crop demonstration sites and field days.
• Conduct crop assessments at regional and organizational level to identify and address production bottlenecks and resolve areas where these are disconnected or functioning inefficiently.
• Identify sustainable business models that can be promoted during the project to maximize farmers’ returns, encourage private-sector investment, and provide assured backward / forward linkages.

PARTNERSHIP SUPPORT

• Provide technical support for implementing partners, private sector actors including selected cooperatives and unions and other stakeholders through systematic coaching and mentoring approach
• Provide technical oversight across the regional sub-contractors, grantees and agribusiness clients that are involved with target crops and assist the regional teams in developing a consistent performance monitoring system and proper documentation of expected outputs/results.
• Assist grantees and partners to conform to international protocols and facilitate access to new market avenues, and help to improve knowledge and skills in new technologies.
• Communicate and participate in crop meetings with partners including the private-sector associations and crop-platforms, Federal and Regional AGP-II coordination offices, MoANR, EIAR, ATA and others.
• Assisting the Regional Managers in responding to crop-related information requests and presentations for USAID, Ministry staff and other counterparts.
• Contribute in the documentation and dissemination of learning from the interventions of value chains and agro dealership development
• Prepare monthly progress reports on crop activities and contribute to the normal USAID and AGP reporting requirements.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the Crop Value Chain Advisor and senior managements.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) in related field of study from a recognized University;
• 5 to 7 years of experience in a senior technical position within a crop production sector directly relevant to maize and/or chickpea production
• Clear understanding of the farming community and extensive work experience within a commercial or Development contractor environment, preferably with experience working within USAID projects; at least 3 years is in a management position;
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and to work with minimum supervision in order to meet changing deadlines;
• Good analytical and writing skills with the ability to synthesise and integrate data into reports;
• Excellent team building and organizational skills together with the ability to interact across a multi-cultural environment;
• Fluency in English, Amharic and other local language;

How to Apply

On the subject line, please clearly write the position and region you are applying for

Candidates should submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Telephone communication will result automatic disqualification.

Application deadline is June 26, 2019