Job Announcement: Agronomist and Extension Specialist

Fintrac Global Inc. (FGI) is a US-based, Small Business Administration (SBA)-certified small business specializing in agricultural development in emerging markets. Using localized knowledge, technologies, and inputs, we support farming families, entrepreneurs, and agribusinesses to improve productivity and availability of nutritious foods, increase incomes, strengthen resiliency to climate change, and reach new markets. Our objective is to prepare the next generation of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to sustainably meet the world’s rising food security demands.

In Tanzania, FGI is implementing a subcontract with ACDI/VOCA under the USAID-funded Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Activity, which aims to transform the Tanzanian horticulture market system into a more vibrant, competitive, resilient, and inclusive one capable of fueling sustained growth and drawing in new market opportunities. Under this subcontract, FGI is seeking Agronomist and Extension Specialists in Iringa, Mbeya, Unguja, Pemba, and Morogoro Regions.

SUMMARY:

Support farmers, input supply companies, agro dealers, women and youth groups, and VBAAs to help them use and apply appropriate technology and skills and sustainably increase productivity and profitability of their enterprises and farming business.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Identify appropriate clients and stakeholders in the horticulture sector and recommending them to the Senior Agronomist or Partnership Specialist for program assistance.
Assist with the formation and/or support of smallholder grower groups and ensure their successful development and participation in out grower schemes or other group activities relevant to program objectives.
Coordinate with other specialists along the value chain (finance, postharvest, processing/value addition, market facilitators, partnership technical coordinators) to address lead farmer and partner constraints.
Identify constraints in the local horticultural value chains so that the program and its partners can begin identifying and introducing solutions.
Liaise with Senior Agronomist and input supply companies to support establishment and follow up of technology demonstration sites, and Farmers Field Days, as platforms for demand creation and training.
Facilitate provision of technical support from input companies to youth groups, lead farmers, VBAAs, hub- agro dealers, rural agro dealers in the implementation of the project grants milestone deliverables.
Follow up on collection of data from women and youth groups and farmers’ organizations to ensure quality and completeness of data collection forms and address all gaps based on supervisors’ input.
Collect all the necessary data and information required and submit it to Senior Agronomist and any other staff in the project as required.
Submit timely field data related to indicators and quarterly reports to Senior Agronomist.
Work with supervisor to plan and implement work plans in the designated region
Undertake other activities and duties as may be assigned from time to time.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, botany, horticulture, or related field
At least 5 years’ working experience in agro input supply industry or institution supporting scaling seeds and technology in the agriculture sector
Must have excellent knowledge in horticulture production, as well as possess strong leadership skills and have a proven track record in agriculture development projects
Previous or current experience in the horticulture industry in Tanzania is an added advantage.
Excellent writing skills and oral communication skills
Ability to work independently and produce quality communications under tight deadlines
Complete fluency in oral and written Kiswahili and English
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other media creation/editing programs