Sustainable Harvest at Origin/Africa is a non-profit organization that partners with specialty coffee producers. We increase coffee quality, create market linkages, and build capacity in order to improve the livelihoods of smallholder coffee farmers.
Our office in Kigoma, Tanzania is currently looking for a Project Agronomist with expertise in community training and smallholder irrigation systems to implement a vegetable garden growing project in the field. This position will be based 90% in the village setting, with 10% travel time to the head office. The Agronomist must exhibit strong leadership qualities and the ability to work independently. Must be flexible, and experienced living and working in remote, rural settings.
Specific responsibilities include:
• Gauge community interest in new technology, and build coalitions among village government and individual households to promote irrigation
• Conduct training with up to 500 community members, to quickly and clearly explain technical and agronomical aspects of irrigation
• Develop a train-the-trainers curriculum, and create a network of community trainers
• Work with irrigation technicians to create an installation and troubleshooting curriculum
• Manage data collection, following strict monitoring and evaluation protocol
• Make visits to individual farms to troubleshoot technical problems, provide farming advice, and collect production data
• Assist with development of community water management committees
• Communicate closely with the Kigoma office to provide weekly reports, and quickly assess the situation in the field
• Assist with other tasks as needed
Qualifications:
• Advanced degree in Agronomy, Irrigation, Rural Community Development, or other related degree
• Experience working in rural areas of Tanzania
• Fluency in Swahili and English
• Experience working with irrigation systems
• Knowledge of smallholder crop production needs and strategies
• Experience as a community trainer
• Must be highly organized, independent, and trustworthy
• Strong computer skills including experience with word processing and spreadsheet applications
To apply, email your English CV with cover letter and a list of three references to lpaslawski@sustainableharvest.com
with the subject heading “Project Agronomist” by October 29, 2010.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Project Agronomist
