1. KEY INFORMATION

Post: CFP Unguja Zone Horticulture Officer

Location: Mwana Kwerekwe Unguja Island, Zanzibar – Tanzania

Hours: 7:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday (variable)

Annual Salary: Confidential

Reporting: Unguja Zone Operations Manager

Contact: jobs@forestsinternational.org

Application Deadline: Friday, Jan 21st, 2022 (24:00 EAT)

2. MISSION, VISION, VALUES

Mission: To overcome poverty and adapt to climate change by sharing knowledge, advancing sustainable livelihoods, and restoring the natural environment.

Vision: Zanzibar communities thrive in harmony with the natural world.

Values:

• Trust is essential to strong relationships, and relationships are the foundation of our work. We act with honor and integrity to preserve trust between all members of our community.

• Solidarity. Tuko pamoja – we are together. Everyone is equal and has a role to play in creating positive change. We believe in sharing our challenges and working as one.

• Impact. We believe that we can change the world through innovation in Zanzibar. We share our local lessons and stories widely to maximize our positive impact globally.

3. JOB SUMMARY

The Agricultural Officer will work directly with farmers and farmer groups in the field to deliver technical climate-smart horticultural training, supports and capacity building to improve skills and production in new or pre-existing livelihood assets, including horticulture nurseries. They will lead the implementation of horticultural activities to enhance food security and restoration, create improvement plans for identified areas, and assist with farm-business management. Based full-time on the main island of Unguja, Zanzibar, the Horticulture Officer will work closely with field staff and the management to implement a multi-year project funded by the European Union.

4. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Deliver continuous in-field training on increasing climate-smart horticulture productivity and production for more than 700 small scale farmers per year (52% women, 50% youth) through a Training of Trainers (TOTs) and Farmer Field School (FFS) framework.

• Provide intensive off-site instruction at partner training centres to more than 165 small scale farmers per year (55% women, 50% youth).

• Establish at least 2 model climate-smart organic farms at the ward level with leading small-scale farmers.

• Oversee the nursery propagation and field planting of more than 25,000 horticulture crops and tree seedlings per year.

• Ensure achievement of world-class outcomes including increased diversity of production for 90% of small-scale farmer trainees and an average 50% increase in farmer yields.

Job Responsibility # 1: Lead and supervise Viungo Project Horticulture Programs

• Work closely with relevant project field staff and target farmers to implement the horticulture-related project activities
• Facilitate Need Assessment Survey for project beneficiaries within Project working areas.
• Conduct mobilization meetings with target farmers and promote sustainability through farmers’ participation and involvement in all horticulture activities.
• Conduct regular visits to farmer’s fields to identify technical problems investigate causes advise effective solutions to farmers to assure crop quality and low crop damage and ensure increased crop production levels.
• Provide information or recommendations to farmers or other landowners regarding ways in which they can promote best land-use practices and plant growth.
• Facilitate experiments to develop new or improved varieties of field crops focusing on characteristics such as yield quality, pests disease resistance, nutritional value or adaptation to specific soils or climates.
• Document and share case studies, success stories and field visit reports as required.
• Discussion with the community regarding the extension of new methodology and introducing new varieties and techniques in their respective areas.
• Support M&E section in data collection and analysis through various tools that Viungo Project uses. (including participating in Baseline, Semi-annual and Annual Surveys and End line surveys)
• Record data through the agreed electronic monitoring system
• Report and review activity charter on a quarterly basis

Job Responsibility # 2: Support and link project partners and community

• Facilitate good working relationship between local government authorities (LGA) community level stakeholder and target beneficiaries.
• Contribute to farmers’ access to seeds and other farm inputs, post-harvest processing and market linkage for smallholders farmers.
• • Collaborate with others staff and partners to ensure that farmer-owned and operated horticulture value addition organizations and enterprises created and accelerated.
• Organize and facilitate beneficiaries learning visits in and outside project areas.

Job Responsibility #3: Participate in the development of CFP

• Contribute to the development of CFP’s programme at the local and national level
• Participate in proposals and concept papers writing in regard to opportunities for areas of expansion
• Act as an active member on various CFP task forces to further the development of CFP
• Participate in Project Quarterly, Semi-Annual and Annual participatory Viungo planning sessions
• Contribute to the organisation through documentation of lessons learned and best practices.

Staff Development

1. Develop mechanism to ensure accountability and recognizing your own performance achievement indicators
2. Develop a culture of continuous learning through performing something new always
3. Broaden your understanding of CFP policies, Viungo project strategies and plans
4. Consistently demonstrate CFP’s Core Values on the work you do.

Problem Solving

Despite the fact that the job description is in place, there are many activities necessary within the project that are not covered or for which specific guidance and methodology are provided such as short notice of visiting or representing CFP in workshops. In that situation, the incumbent will need to use his/her own personnel skills and experiences in solving the situation

5.  QUALIFICATIONS & ABILITIES

Education/Training:

University degree or technical diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture with additional training in land management, conservation, community development, or related natural sciences considered an asset.

Experience and Technical Skills

• At least three (3) years previous professional experience working in the field in a similar position
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience working directly with small-scale farmers in the field
• Practical experience in small to medium scale technology in agriculture including irrigation and mechanism
• Strong skills in Excel, Word, and Powerpoint to report data and sharing reports

Core Competencies

• Communication. Effectively explain complex concepts in simple, clear language and accurately interpret the ideas, information, and needs of others.
• Accountability. Holds self and others accountable for all decisions and interpersonal relationships while following through on commitments and focusing on those activities that have the greatest positive impact.
• Focuses on impact and results for the project partners and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational and Viungo project goals; is willing to learn from others; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibilities for team shortcomings;
• Innovation and creative problem solving . Ability to develop new and better ideas or solutions that result in improvement of team performance or outcomes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Swahili and must be able to communicate and coordinate effectively with project partners.
• Willing to work alone, with irregular hours and in a field setting.

Living Conditions

The incumbent will be positioned in Mwana Kwerekwe Jumba kla Kificho – Unguja, Zanzibar Tanzania where the project office is located. Despite that, however, a considerable time (2 – 5%) will be used travelling outside the working area for various purposes including representing the Project/CFP in various events

6. APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please send a cover letter and Curriculum Vitae (CV) outlining your experience as it relates to this job description to jobs@forestsinternational.org with the subject heading ‘Unguja Agriculture Officer’.

Community Forests Pemba is committed to diversity in our work environment and we encourage applications from both women and men, young and old, and persons living inside and outside of Zanzibar. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.  To learn more about our work please visit:

www.forestsinternational.org