Technical Assistants- Agronomists - Meru, Laikipia and Kirinyaga County

REPORTS TO: Project Officer (PO) - SAVES

STAFF REPORTING TO POSTHOLDER: None

LOCATION: Meru, Laikipia and Kirinyaga County

DURATION: Fix term, full-time, renewable based on performance and availability of funds. 

REQUIRED: 3 Agronomists (One in Meru, One in Kirinyaga and One in Laikipia)

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

To provide agronomic training for “Sustainable Agricultural value chains Enterprises in Central Kenya (SAVES) by supporting the beneficiaries in providing technical trainings to the SAVES agronomic function including: demonstration establishment, crop management, Good agricultural practice trainings, record keeping, pre and post-harvest handling, mobilization of farmer groups and/or organizations capacity development to participate in CBOs and SACCOS for resource mobilization and management; and working alongside Markets to ensure required volumes of produce are reached. Work to establish Village based advisor model.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Project implementation

•      Mobilise and recruit farmer groups in Meru/Laikipia/Kirinyaga Counties

•      Organise groups into clusters for ease of delivery of trainings and any other information

•      Deliver agronomic trainings to all the groups and formed clusters. The trainings delivered according to the set curriculum

•      Work with farmers and/or VBAs to identify demonstration areas for agronomic trainings; Demarcate and establish demonstration plots according to the demo guide; Monitor demo management and follow up on the crop management of the crops in the demo

•      Enhance and facilitate market relationship between the farmers and the new or existing market players

•      Offer expertise advice to SAVES farmers in order for them to improve on crop husbandry and management practices within their vegetable farms in consultation with the Senior Project Officer.

•      Work alongside the Business development officer to ensure that the farmers are growing the crops as a business entity

•      Establish volumes demanded and product specifications and communicate the same to farmers

•      Validate and report on SAVES farmers’ farm records as may be directed by the Senior Project Officer/Project officer 

•      In collaboration with the SPO/PO – liaise with implementing partners for GAPs to establish projected volumes for proactive planning for market engagement

•      Support farmers in developing logistics for aggregation and active marketing

Monitoring and Reporting 

•      Support M&E team in conducting field surveys (e.g. sampling, data collection and reporting) and actively participate in preparations of farmer field days and linkages forums within the county.

•      Regular data collection and reporting according to the project monitoring and learning plan

•      Occasionally assist in data entry and analysis as may be required by the project staff

•      Document success stories on market linkages, productivity and sales

•      Participate in M&E meetings/sessions 

•      Write reports on deliverables using the formats provided 

•      Participate in community feedback sessions and take lessons for improving project delivery

Other Roles

•      Support the project in organising and facilitating market linkage forums and field days

•      To participate and represent the project and Farm Africa in relevant forums as directed by PC/PM

•      Any other related duty as directed by line manager or Farm Africa management team

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

Education, qualifications & other knowledge

Degree/ diploma level in Horticulture / General Agriculture or any other related field

Experience of working with commercial enterprises 

Knowledge of the agriculture sector in Kenya

Desirable 

Experience in working with small holder farmers 

Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in the agricultural crop input sector Previous experience working in the horticultural sector in Kenya

Experience

Establishing small holder schemes for vegetable production

Knowledge & practical experience of economic horticultural models

Skills & abilities

Communication (both verbal & written)

Multi stakeholder facilitation skills Organizational skills

Intercultural sensitive

Mastery Adult learning methodologies and training skills

Our Values 

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa. 

EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does. 

GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.

BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.