JOB DESCRIPTION

PERSONAL DETAILS:

Position: Project Manager

Department/Programme: Biovision Farmer Communication Programme

Project/Section: Mkulima Mbunifu

Supervisor (Position role reports to): Farmer Communication Programme Coordinator technically and administratively to Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) Director.

Positions Supervised: 3

Date of Appointment: February 2019

Terms of Appointment: Contract

Location: MkM office, Arusha

ROLE COMPLEXITY:

No. of Direct Reports: (Staff supervised directly): 3

No. of Indirect Reports: (Staff supervised indirectly)

Critical positions the role interacts with directly to deliver objectives: (e.g. other departments, media, donors, partners, farmers, Trustees, Government, etc)

Internal: SAT Director, BvAT ED, other FCP project staff, TOF Radio, Outreach, Infonet-Biovision; etc.

External: Scientists from ICIPE, ILRI, ICRAF, World Vegetable Centre, TOFARI, donors (Biovision Foundation, SDC, SSNC, etc), partners, farmers, agricultural research institutions, Regional governments, Ministry of Agriculture Livestock

DUTIES:

Job Purpose & Scope:

The Project Manager, reporting to the Farmer Communication Programme Coordinator technically and administratively to Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania (SAT) Director, is responsible for the planning, publication, printing and distribution of the monthly MkM magazine to target groups in Tanzania. Doubling as the Editor-in-Chief or Editor, the Manager has to ensure that the MkM magazine is carefully proofread, edited and checked for accuracy, easy reading and relevance. This position will be tenable in Arusha, Tanzania.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

Solicit, plan content themes in response to target groups’ needs and publishing schedules for each MkM issue in consultation with the assistant editor and other relevant project staff.
Solicit, write and manage contributions of articles tailored to the themes of each issue of the magazine. In so doing, be responsible for the quality management for the content and design of the magazine and therefore consult with the parties and contributors involved.
Discern and ensure that contributions made, both solicited and unsolicited, are consistent with development partners’ ecological development strategy and publisher’s policy and positions and support the principles of ecological and sustainable agriculture;
Ensure that all space advertisements purchased and sponsorship packages, or otherwise provided are in line with the ethical and internally set guidelines for MkM magazine;
Oversee the copy-editing, layout, formatting and proofreading of the magazine together with the MkM Assistant Editor and Designer, according to the planned schedule;
Present the draft magazine to BvAT Executive Director and the FCP Coordinator for editorial review, quality control checks and eventual approval before taking to the Press for printing;
Ensure timely printing and requisition for payment of the MkM magazine;
Supervise and monitor the distribution of the MkM magazine by all the enlisted distributors and subscribers;
Support and supervise the MkM Assistant Editor, Administrative Assistant, MkM Radio Assistant, contributors, and other project staff in line with their responsibilities and contracts;
Develop grant or award winning project concept notes and proposals including budgets for MkM Magazine and any other related project activities;
Report to the executing and coordinating organizations (BvAT and SAT) as required periodically and as on the agreed schedules on the progress/performance/budget execution against the M&E framework and budget lines of the project;
Collaborate with other active like-minded individuals and organizations to improve production and distribution of MkM magazine to target groups in order to promote organic and sustainable agriculture and environmental management in Tanzania.
Undertake any other relevant responsibility as may be assigned by the SAT Director or BvAT ED/FCP Coordinator.

COMPETENCIES:

Education & Knowledge

Essential Skills

Preference is to have someone with a Master’s degree in Mass Communication, Development Studies, Broadcast Journalism or related field from a credited institution of higher learning. Candidates with knowledge in both communication and agricultural background are most preferred.

Work experience

At least 5 years’ progressive experience in agricultural or community communication development, publishing and agricultural broadcast/ journalism.
Experience in handling publishing projects
Experience in working with creative teams and printing firms
to develop print resources such as magazines and booklets
Experience in monitoring implementation of project activities
Experience in writing winning project concept notes and proposals
Experience in supervising staff.

Specialized Knowledge and skills required for the job

Good understanding of the publishing process
Excellent writer and editor with ability to interpret and communicate complex scientific ideas through simple messages and formats
Proven ability to work with multiple teams
Excellent reporting and proposal writing skills
Sound knowledge of project monitoring and evaluation
Networking and partnership building skills
Proficiency in using Windows Operating System as well as Microsoft Office applications (Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint).

Personal Attributes

Understanding of and personal commitment to ecologically sustainable agriculture
Fluency in oral and written Swahili and English
Have strong relationship management.
Excellent time management.
Team player with excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to prioritize workload and demonstrate deliverables/outcomes.
Good understanding of financial management and reporting processes.
Willingness and ability to travel locally and internationally.

WORKING CONDITIONS/WORK ENVIRONMENT/RESOURCES

Office space with facilities – desk, workstation computer and laptop, printer,
chair and book shelves
Access to phone facility for official use
The incumbent will be required to work in the office and field in Kenya.
The job entails national and regional travel.
May be required to occasionally work overtime to meet set obligations and deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIRMENTS/DEMANDS:

Physical ability to travel long distances
Mental and visual ability to work on computer

Biovision Trust Africa Website