Coastal Agronomist

Description

• Agriculture represents 24% of GDP and employs 80% of the population, making it a key driver of economic growth in Mozambique. With increasing external changes ranging from the macro-economic environment, market fluctuations, weather-related events and social context, building systems and skills to support and develop resilience has never been more important. Smallholder farmers, particularly women, play a critical role in any efforts to increase resilience
• A high percentage of farmers (99%) in Mozambique cultivate 10 hectares or less. As the core of its program activities, FTF RAMA-Nacala Corridor selects and supports private and public-sector project partners to identify, pilot, and scale access and adoption of a range of agricultural technologies for improving household resilience
• The project uses grant funding and strategic partnerships to support existing networks and value chain stakeholders for dissemination and commercialization of prioritized technologies, through channels that will facilitate sustained long-term scale
• Women comprise 87% of the agricultural labor force and are responsible for making decisions directly impacting household nutrition. USAID baseline analysis indicates that women are not empowered to make decisions about land management and agricultural output. FTF RAMA – Nacala Corridor will target smallholder farmers, emphasizing an increasing role for women in making decisions about resilience, productivity, and land management
• The position will be based at the FTF RAMA-Nacala Corridor office in Nampula, with significant travel required to the field. Visits to partner operations may require substantial car travel, although the distance and the need for overnight stays will vary. The working week tends to be from Monday to Friday, although variations in workload relate to seasonal demands - some long and unsocial hours may be necessary during busy periods
• This assignment will be in Nampula, with local travel, and may include regional travel as needed. The duration of this position will be through the life of the project

Duties

• The Coastal Agronomist provides leadership and expertise in designing, managing, adapting, replicating, and scaling partnerships for disseminating and commercializing prioritized technologies and resilience related critical information. The agronomist will supervise and lead the technical activities implemented by the partners and responsible for the portfolios within the coastal areas
• He/She will also: Collaborate with the team on the identification of high potential agricultural technologies (products, services, and/or practices) and document within agricultural technology briefs. The technologies should be scalable and affordable for easy adoption by farmers and serve to increase their resilience (decrease labor, increase productivity, increase margins, and/or mitigate risk)
• Manage a portfolio of partnerships under a grants fund. Identify, co-design activities, and conduct due diligence with new potential partners
• Specialist will work with identified partners to facilitate farmer access and application of critical decision-making skills and resilience related information including related to financial management and business strategy, and effective utilization of land, irrigation technologies, and agricultural resources
• The aim of this position is to balance the commercial viability of agricultural land with resilient sustainable development
• The Specialist will work principally but not exclusively with 4 commodities: sesame, cashew, groundnuts, and cowpea
• Regular partner visits to ensure that access and application objectives are being met and facilitate the iterative replication and scaling can occur and achieve the intended results
• Coordinate efforts made by the project to promote and implement irrigation technologies and good management practices
• Help the grantees/partners to construct a broad implementation strategy for all pilot interventions/technologies to meet the project objectives for scalability
• Provide personal consultation with partners as needed
• Identify an explicit set of achievable targets in terms of FTF RAMA – Nacala Corridor target indicators and partner business objectives in conjunction with the partners, technical and management team
• Work closely with the Resilient Agriculture Manager to provide weekly updates and timely communication
• Conduct analysis on the scalability of the technologies as requested by the management team, drawing on the partner’s expertise and experiences during the pilot
• Work closely with the M&E team and ensure that data is collected and analyzed based on estimated targets and scenario analysis
• Summarize challenges and accomplishments for Progress Reports
• Participate in pause-and-reflect meetings
• Help identify technologies for potential adaptations for continuous improvement
• Analyze data against targets and adjust program activities accordingly
• Develop, maintain, and manage client contacts
• Maintain awareness of developments in resilience, technology development and dissemination, as well as the wider agricultural corridor
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by the FTF RAMA-Nacala Corridor Resilient Agriculture Manager and Chief of Party

Requisites

• Specific knowledge and experience in coastal region and relevant or related value chains
• Commercial, business, or marketing experience
• Proficient computer skills - Microsoft Office, email, internet, spreadsheets
• Good diagnostic and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to effectively communicate in both English and Portuguese– verbal & written skills
• Relationship and customer management skills
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives without close supervision
• Desire to serve farmers through partnership arrangements and others involved in the agriculture industry
• Willingness to work as a team member
• Desire to remain updated with new agricultural trends and technology
• Self-motivation, willingness to learn and good work ethic
• Experience leading a team and working in collaboration both within an organization as well as with strategic partners
• A degree in agribusiness, agricultural economics, or an agricultural science is a minimum academic requirement. Postgraduate qualifications in a business or agricultural science may be useful. Prior experience in agricultural industry and/or markets is essential
• Supervision and Reporting: The Coastal Agronomist shall report to FTF RAMA-NC Resilient Agriculture Manager/Team Leader

Notes

• Only short listed applicants will be contacted

How to Apply

1. Documentation

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae

2. Application

• Send your Documentation via email to RamaJobs@winrock.org with the Subject line “Coastal Agronomist”