Project Senior Agronomist at Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS)

Project Senior Agronomist at Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS)

Title of Position: Project Senior Agronomist

Organization, Country: Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung Africa –Tanzania

About Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung

Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung (HRNS) is a non-profit foundation. HRNS is headquartered in Germany while the organization is active worldwide. With the objective of promoting sustainable development, HRNS implements hands-on projects to improve working and living conditions of farmers and their communities. 

Working for HRNS you will find yourself surrounded by colleagues who are passionate about and dedicated to the mission and vision of the Foundation. Joining HRNS means being part of a diverse team with varied backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. We follow the principle of equal opportunity and are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment.

Hanns R. Neumann Stiftung Africa has a strong presence in Tanzania with projects currently being implemented in Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Ruvuma, Songwe and Mbeya Regions. 

For its office in Mbeya, Tanzania, HRNS is recruiting Project Senior Agronomist.

Purpose of Position

The expertise to be provided covers strengthening the capacity of smallholder farmers and their organizations to see coffee farming as a business opportunity, enhancing diversification of their farming activities, to effectively respond to changing climatic conditions in a sustainable resilient way, as well as of public and private stakeholders on implementing programs on climate smart agriculture for coffee and food crop production. Within the initiative for coffee&climate HRNS Tanzania as an implementing organization has the mandate to develop approach for systematically addressing climate change at a landscape level and facilitate its roll-out within Tanzania.

Key responsibilities

• To enhance agronomical understanding of Farmer groups and their members.
• To supervise and support FFS facilitators and CFs in the preparation of PO agronomical work plans.
• Conduct monthly feedback meetings with CFs, LFs and FFS facilitators.
• To monitor the progress and improvements of coffee demonstration plots in the assigned areas.
• To enhance maintenance and supervision of the improved coffee nurseries.
• To coordinate the collection of all demonstration plots and nursery records for M&E purposes.
• To participate in survey data collection and support external consultants in monitoring activities.
• Training of GAP for QEP adopters to POs and selected AMCOS. 
• Facilitate farmer field day and regular field days.
• To manage all Agronomical activities of the program in collaboration with the Team Coordinator – Agronomy and climate.
• To enhance the farmer-to-farmer extension system by training AMCOS LCFs, CFs, and FFS Facilitators on agronomical practices and conservation agriculture technical trainings.
• Backstop and supervise planning, implementation and reporting of agronomy and conservation agriculture activities conducted by AMCOSLFs, FFSFs and CFs at AMCOSs and POs level.
• To monitor the performance of FFSFs on regular basis and submit their reports timely for the M&E updated.
• To facilitate AG feedback meeting for FFSFs and CFs.
• To supervise and monitor the performance of agronomist as instructed by the Team Coordinator.
• Conduct coffee and shade tree nursery establishment and management trainings.
• Supervise the distribution of nursery inputs for supported nurseries and records keeping for all nurseries.
• Backstop seed sowing and seedling potting.
• Assist in marketing activities of supported nursery in your area.
• Conduct nursery assessment to all nurseries.
• Support the day-to-day implementation of c&c Activities
• Dissemination of knowledge generated under coffee & climate innovation via the coffee & climate toolbox.
• To monitor the progress and improvements of coffee and climate demonstration plots in the assigned areas.
• To participate in developing and establish trial plots sites, data collections, monitor the progress and report as directed by the supervisor.
• Facilitate the distribution of the tree’s seedling to the identified areas.
• Monitor and supervise the implementation of the coffee and climate activities.
• Facilitate the implementation of the agreed community adaptation plans at the landscape level.
• Assist to facilitate the Local Expert Committee meetings and to facilitate exchange and learnings on various climate change adaptation tools and technologies.
• Facilitate exchange, learnings, and cooperation with climate smart agricultural programs in Tanzania.
• Adapt relevant training and information materials.
• Assist to supervise c&c activities.
• Report to the Agronomy Team Leader in a timely and efficient manner on a weekly and monthly basis and additionally as required. 
• Prepare and share quarter targets as discussed by Agronomy Team Leader.
• Prepare monthly and weekly work plans, reports, and quality checks of collected and provided data.
• Monitoring and compiling field reports.
• Participate in survey data collection and support external consultants in monitoring activities. 
• Coordinate the collection of all demo plots and nursery records for M&E purposes.
• Support to provide inputs on bi-annual work plans and resource allocation for the AG activities.
• Support compile and submit the consolidated monthly and weekly work plan for the AG team to AG – TC
• Backstop facilitation farmer field day and regular field visits.
• Support backstopping on GAP for QEP adopters to POs and selected DCs.
• Support to compile and crosscheck monthly reports for the AG team.
• Support to compile and submit quarterly District and regional reports for the AG activities.
• Support AG TC to compile and crosscheck biannual reports on AG activities for the project partners.
• Support AG-TC in preparing the donor reports through provision of input on AG activities conducted and result achieved.
• Facilitate the team monthly meeting for feedback and reporting in absence of Agronomy team coordinator.
• Support Quarterly preparation of demo performance reports.
• Adopt approaches and methodologies that are gender sensitive and promote gender equality.
• Facilitate equitable participation of men and women in all activities of the program and projects.
• Promote ideas of gender equality in communications with partners and stakeholders. 
• Carry out any other duties as required by management or TC for the successful implementation of the program and to always act with honesty and integrity.
• To cooperate closely and support the OD team.
• Assist in cross checking attendance forms to ensure they are properly filled by Agronomists.
• Supervise the distribution of demonstration inputs and keep annual records for all demonstration inputs and recipients.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Minimum of bachelor’s degree in Agronomist. An advanced degree such as master’s will increase an applicant’s chance of getting hired, and probability of a promotion.
• Minimum of Five (6) years’ experience in agronomy related field. Experience in working with donor funded projects.
• Experience of managing and coordinating large and complex projects, preferably related to rural development.
• Experience of interacting with stakeholders, including senior government officials, regional and local authorities, consultants, NGOs, and communities.
• Excellent team leader and team player, strong interpersonal and soft skills
• Fluent in English language, oral and written.
• Excellent Computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Excel spreadsheets, word processing, and electronic mail along with data entry experience). Excellent communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, ability to work effectively in a diverse team.
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

How to apply

If you are interested in the position and feel you match the above qualifications and experience, we welcome you to apply. Please send your CV and a cover letter with salary expectations and preferred date of commencement in English to: [email protected]  by Jan 31, 2024.

While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Kind regards, HRNS