About the job
Business Overview:
Kokoa Kamili is a social enterprise producing some of the best organic cocoa in the world. We have a strong emphasis on quality control and ensuring strong relationships with our 4000+ smallholder farmers. The head office is in Msasani, Dar es Salaam.
The successful applicant will be joining a small, exciting team, and will have the opportunity to grow with the business while having input into business development strategy.
Position: Head Agronomy Officer (Full-time) Reports to: Operations Manager, Kilombero
Duty station: Mbingu/Njage (Mlimba District, Morogoro Region), with occasional travel
Main Responsibilities:
- Supervise extension staff in support of training farmers in organic practices
- Design, supervise, and evaluate an improved cocoa material grafting program for nursery operations
- Design and supervise an impact/cost-benefit evaluation of solar-powered irrigation systems for smallholder cocoa farmers
- Design and supervise a demo plot program testing different organic inputs for impact and cost-effectiveness
- Review and revise organic cocoa farming manual. Create a version that is farmer specific and print ready
- Design, implement, and monitor demonstration plots for potential new crops
- Assist with development of food safety plan guided by Current Good Manufacturing Practices as outlined by the USDA
- Responsible for implementation and team adherence to food safety plan
- Other administrative tasks that may be occasionally required
Qualifications:
- Undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science, or relevant field required
- 3-5 years tree (perennial) agronomy extension or farming experience, preferably with an organic crop
- Experience with agricultural M&E design or data-driven agricultural research
- Experience with food processing facilities
- Experience with food safety plans a plus
- Excellent computer skills in business software (Gmail, Google Sheets, Asana), including accurate typing skills
- Strong problem solving and analytical skills, detail-oriented
- Excellent communication skills in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili
TO APPLY:
Send an application letter to HR@kokoakamili.com. In the subject line please write “Head Agronomy Officer_First Name_Last Name” (e.g. if your name is Rashid Shija the subject should be “Head Agronomy Officer_Rashid_Shija).
You application letter should include:
(1) cover letter describing your interest, salary history, and names/contacts for three professional references (including most recent employer)
(2) curriculum vitae
Applications will be treated confidentially. Note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
