Vacancy Announcement – Farmer Liaison Officer
Services Company Outgrowers Nyaruguru (North) Ltd (SCON (N)) was established to support the planting of tea on approximately 3,400 Ha of land by 6,000 smallholder farmers. This is achieved through the provision of agronomic advice, Farmer Field School training, Finance, and Production Logistics and it is anticipated that our contribution shall have a significant systemic impact on the sector by providing at least 75% of the tea supply to Unilever’s new factory.
SCON(N) is seeking to recruit a qualified, detail-oriented, dynamic and self-motivated individual to take up the role of Farmer Liaison Officer. Reporting to the General Manager, the role shall be responsible for handling smallholder farmer queries and coordinating the Farmer Field Schools programs.
Key Responsibilities:
Liaison
- Raise awareness on SCON(N)’s mission, vision, and objectives to its Outgrowers and key partners;
- Build a good working relationship between SCON (N) and the local community and the Outgrowers;
- Receive, record, and proactively resolve farmer queries or conflicts that may arise between SCON(N) and farmers or other staff and local authorities and escalate where necessary to General Manager;
- Collect and analyze feedback from SCON(N) farmers to identify opportunities to improve the relationship between SCON and Outgrowers and to monitor how farmer livelihood is improving through working with SCON(N); and
- Maintain up-to-date Outgrowers files (Contract and other related documents).
Farmer Field School Coordination and Administration
- Monitor and evaluate the quality of the training courses and the work of the trained facilitators at all levels to ensure that the training follows the basic principles;
- Contribute to the production of training materials and ensure their timely availability to the FFS participants;
- Provide advice on post activities follow-up of graduated FFS members;
- Assess and advise on SCON(N) Outgrowers family grievances that may arise and which are related to tea planting under SCON(N) scheme;
- Monitor and report health and safety issues within SCON catchment’s activities and households of SCON(N) outgrowers;
- Coordinate social welfare activities among SCON(N) stakeholders, draft applicable welfare policies, and assess compliance against existing ones;
- Emphasize on how SCON(N) farmers and partners should comply with rainforest alliance certification requirements, and health and safety matters;
- Compile reports on particular incidents, events, meetings, or updates on important issues for the business; and
- Do any other tasks assign by the supervisor
Qualifications, Skills, and Competencies.
- Sound tea farming knowledge, ideally with a Bachelors’ degree in an agricultural-related discipline.
- Familiarity with practical tea farming and farmers Field Schools (FFSs) matters is a must.
- At least three years proven working experience in a similar role.
- Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Must have good problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
- Good organization skills with the ability to multi-task.
How to apply
Interested candidates should send their application file (CV, Academic certificate, and cover letter) via the ” Apply for this job” button not later than the 17th of September 2021.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
