Job Announcement: Sr. Agronomist

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 a Senior Agronomist in Iringa.

SUMMARY:

Supervise Agronomist and Extension Specialists in supporting 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. The Senior Agronomist will provide leadership and technical and strategic guidance to the Agronomist and Extension Specialists.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Lead production-based, value chain initiatives within the region(s).
Provide technical support and management to agronomist/extension specialists within the selected region(s) by conducting regular, programmed visits to their areas of work. Ensure that agronomist/extension specialists are properly trained, professional, and carrying out all tasks assigned to them, including proper adoption of agricultural technologies and support to assigned partners.
Provide regular feedback to the agronomist/extension specialists on their performance and inform the Productivity and Technology Commercialization Manager of their progress in a weekly report.
Provide training and technical assistance to partner field staff and other key technical stakeholders.
Assist agronomists in planning, budgeting, and conducting successful, well-attended farmer field days and other public events like Farmer-to-Farmer events, Nane Nane, etc.
Supervising the development of technical materials for training courses, workshops, marketing/trade events, and other activities.
Ensure that agronomist/extension specialists in the region(s) understand their strategic contributions under the project design – to expand smallholder commercial horticulture and strengthen linkages with the sub-sector.
Take a proactive role in ensuring that the project meets its targets for significant involvement of women and youth in the commercial horticultural value chain.
Drive market linkages and relationship building between regional stakeholders to stimulate the supply of inputs, technology adoption, financial service provision, sales, and value addition.
Support and interact with regional stakeholders from the private sector, government extension officers and partners as necessary.
Assist project management in understanding the production potential of the region(s) and the means of unlocking it. This includes the identification of regional constraints and opportunities within the horticulture market system, as well as relevant stakeholders.
Provide input for work plans and budgets, quarterly and monthly reports, program success stories, etc., as required.
Follow up on collection of M&E data from input suppliers, youth groups, and farmers’ organizations and ensure quality and completeness of data collection forms and address all gaps based on supervisors’ input.
Submit timely field data related to indicators and quarterly reports to Productivity and Technology Commercialization Manager.
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 10 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