Value Chain Development Assistant (Internship position)

Reporting to: Value Chain Development Officer
Duty station: Mbeya (1), Morogoro (1), Njombe (1), Tanga (1) & Unguja-Zanzibar (1)

Company Overview

TAHA is an apex private sector member-based organization mandated to develop and promote horticulture (flowers, fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs and horticultural seeds) in Tanzania. TAHA’s goal is to improve the growth and competitiveness of the horticultural industry in the country for social and economic gains. TAHA is a unified voicing platform for Tanzania horticulture, representing farmers at all levels, processors, exporters and service providers in the horticultural industry in Tanzania.

Project Background

TAHA is currently implementing a 5-year USAID funded project called “Tuhifadhi Chakula”. The purpose of the Project is to reduce food loss and waste and resultant climate effects for improved food security and livelihoods. The project focuses on reducing food loss and food waste by addressing post-harvest handling issues within key value chains with major contributions to Tanzania’s food security basket. The project will implement interventions around four (4) main thematic areas: improve food handling, storage and value addition at producer and commercial levels; facilitate market access to ensure agricultural goods reach consumers; inform and promote policy and regulatory frameworks that reduce food loss and waste; and strengthen local organizations’ capacity to lead on post-harvest management.

Position Overview

The Value Chain Development Assistant is responsible for supporting and ensuring on-ground operational efficiency of the project value chain components. This role encompasses supporting the definition of project operational activities, in alignment with the project value chain framework and the Overall Workplan implementation.

Scope of Work

• Under the guidance of VCDOs, support and provide agronomic skills and knowledge to project beneficiaries, especially farmers, in collaboration with project partners including the government.
• Lead on developing and managing beneficiaries/stakeholders’ databases and share with the Value Chain department.
• Support VCDOs to plan, prepare activity plans and organize on-ground activities implementation.
• Undertake on-ground Project activities implementation of all project components, including building the capacity of all project beneficiaries in post-harvest management, value addition, and climate-smart Agriculture.
• Work closely with the Value Chain Development Department Administration to support on-ground administrative activities.
• Under the guidance of VCDOs, support the implementation of strategies to reduce food loss and waste, focusing on post-harvest handling, storage, and processing practices.
• Collaborate and work closely with Value Chain Development department staff in planning the implementation of various activities on the ground.
• Identify on-ground available post-harvest technologies and link them with farmers, processors, and other stakeholders.
• Support the development of training programs (TOTs) for stakeholders (farmers, processors, distributors, and community-based organizations (CBOs/AMCOSs)) involved in the value chains, aiming to enhance their skills and knowledge on post-harvest management for a cascading effect.
• Participate in the technical implementation of on-ground sub-awardees’ activities, ensuring adherence to implementation and achieving project objectives.
• Support in the development of quarterly reports and other regular reports on the progress of value chain development activities.

Qualifications and Skills

• Degree Level: A bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, General Agriculture, or Extension Services.
• Experience: At least 1 year of experience working in the agricultural sector.
• Key Skills: High level of leadership, interpersonal, technical, and analytical skills, including a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and collaboratively with a broad range of public and private sector counterparts and other key stakeholders.

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified individuals should send their applications enclosing:

• Application letter.
• Curriculum vitae (not exceeding 4 pages).
• Copies of qualification certificates.

The cover letter should be addressed to: Human Resources and Administration Manager, TAHA, P.O. Box 16520, ARUSHA.

Submission: All applications must be submitted via email to recruitment@taha.or.tz.

Subject Line: In the subject line of your email, clearly state the position you are applying for. For example: “APPLICATION FOR VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANT POSITION.”

Deadline: The deadline for submitting your application is Sunday, 29th December 2024.

Remuneration: The successful candidate will be remunerated according to the TAHA salary scale, and in alignment with the candidate’s qualifications and professional experience. Other employment benefits will be as per the organization’s policy.