Agronomist

Job details

Description

Program Description

Employing a market-led approach, TechnoServe plans to implement a legume and oilseed value chains project in Lilongwe and Dedza, Malawi. The program will focus on creating sustainable and inclusive market systems that benefit smallholder farmers. By facilitating partnerships and fostering linkages between smallholder farmers and these market actors, TechnoServe will improve access to quality inputs, technical knowledge, and financial services. Through continuous capacity building and leveraging local institutions, the project aims to build resilient value chains that drive long-term economic growth, improve food security, and promote environmental sustainability in Lilongwe and Dedza 

Job Summary:

The Agronomist will take part in overall design and conceptualization as well as implementation of agriculture  activities and will provide technical support to achieve expected results. S/he will provide program implementation direction in Operational areas on program activities within agriculture space. S/he will establish and maintain close and effective liaison with relevant government officials, partners, and other stakeholders to facilitate effective program implementation and achievement of results.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and capacity development for nutrition-focused agricultural production components of the project, ensuring linkages with other project components.

• Guide the effective activity implementation and achievement of agricultural production and market systems objectives including working with private sector in relevant agricultural value chains using a market systems approach.
• Provide Technical Assistance to support work plan implementation on smallholder farms, including, storage, processing, marketing, and transport.
• Attend partner coordination meetings as appropriate. Ensure that activities are coordinated with relevant stakeholders, including communities.
• Identify areas for additional TA or other support from consortium partners.
• Work closely with field officers in the assigned EPAs to ensure farmers are applying recommended improvements, and implementing strategies to enhance crop yields and overall farm productivity.
• Integrate gender-sensitive approaches into the agricultural practices that include addressing gender disparities, empowering women and marginalized groups, and ensuring equitable access to agricultural resources and opportunities.
• Collaborate with research institutions and agricultural organizations to stay updated on the latest agronomic research and innovations.
• Other tasks as may be assigned for successful achievement of agriculture and livelihoods objectives.
• Develop an annual workplan and strategy to deliver outputs and objectives against agreed targets
• Ensure strict compliance with TNS’s objectives, strategies, policies and procedures.
• Take part in reporting including M&E to meet project and TNS requirements
• Active participation on regional team meetings and program reviews, sharing learnings, challenges faced and solutions identified.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or masters in Agriculture or related field
• Minimum 5 years experience working with farmers in the field, providing technical assistance and training
• Experience working in remote areas and with different stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications and Experience:

• Familiarity with sustainability and organic farming practices.
• Strong data collection and reporting capabilities.
• Experience with Seed Oils and Legumes

Travel:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to production management.

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at recruitment@tns.org