Fairtrade Africa- West Africa Network Vacancies 2019

Fairtrade Africa (FTA) is the umbrella network organisation representing Fairtrade certified producers and workers in Africa. It has four (4) regional networks – Eastern & Central Africa; Southern Africa; Western Africa; and the Middle East and North Africa. Established in 2005, FTA aims to effectively represent producers and workers within the International Fairtrade system and provide services to them that contribute to the improvement of their livelihoods. The FTA Board directs policy and strategic development of the organisation.

Job Description

Job Title: Field Support Assistants

REPORTING LINES

• Post holder reports to: Business Development  Advisor – Sankofa Project
• Staff reporting to this post: None

BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY:  No

BACKGROUND
The Sankofa Project is a 5 year, multi-stakeholder collaboration of partners in support of Kuapa Kokoo Farmers Union (KKFU) to improve their livelihoods through sustainable production and sale of cocoa and associated crops. It involves the establishment of 400 hectares of Dynamic Agroforestry Plots within 4 years of the Project duration.

Main Purpose of Job
Seeking to engage 3 personnel on 6 months renewable service contract basis, to support the implementation of field activities of the Sankofa Project.

Key Performance Areas
Plots Installation

• Assist the famers in the demarcation of their plots
• Train lead and second ring farmers on seed yam preparation (cutting, treatment and pre-sprouting)
• Acquire and distribute planting materials of annual crops e.g. plantain, cocoyam, cassava etc.
• Assist in the distribution of other planting materials that will be provided by the project such as cocoa seedlings, timber trees, economic trees etc.
• Guide farmers to replace dead seedlings or seeds that did not germinate
• Support the Agronomic DAF Project Coordinator during the Lead and second ring farmers’ workshops.

Monitoring and Data Collection

• Visit the plots of lead and second ring farmers regularly
• Take records of the situation of each of the plots visited e.g. seedlings that are dead, seeds germinated and those that did not germinate, bushy or weeded plot, pruned or not pruned plots etc.
• Submit a report on the situation of each plot visited according to prior agreed template
• Record and submit data on all crops harvested
• Ensure records are kept on all activities carried out in the farm
• Supervise data collection and documentation of all activities, including harvest volumes of all harvested products
• Support weak Lead Farmers in fulfilling their tasks

Selection of Lead and Second Ring Farmers 

• Ensure the second ring farmers are registered members of KKFU
• Ensure they own the land
• Ensure they have a minimum of 2.5 acres of land for DAF cocoa production
• Any other requirement that will be needed for selection of second ring farmers

Required Skills or Experience

Minimum Academic Requirement
Certificate or Diploma in General Agriculture.  Bachelor’s Degree in Development studies, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management or related fields will be an added advantage.

Other Specialist qualification (Desired)

• Basic knowledge and understanding of the Fairtrade system
• Basic Knowledge in Project Management

Knowledge of Systems and Procedures

• Skills in using MS Office applications especially Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
• Knowledge in Program and project monitoring and evaluation
• Ability to ride motor bike
• Valid riding licence
• Presentation, training and facilitation skills

Competencies 

• Good Interpersonal Skills
• Good Negotiation Skills
• Good Communication and reporting Skills
• Supportive and versatile
• Results oriented and focused
• Respectful and a person with integrity

Communication demands and Competencies

• Knowledge of the cocoa value chain in the region
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to speak the local languages
• Ability to speak and write in English

How to Apply

APPLICATION

An application form (CVs will not be accepted) can be found on the jobs and volunteering page of our website http://www.fairtradeafrica.net/about-us/jobs-and-volunteering/  If you have any queries, please e-mail [email protected] or call (+233) 243029418, or +2542667669 and ask to speak to a member of the HR team . Qualified applicants will be subjected to background checks as a pre-condition of employment.

Completed applications should be saved in the applicant’s name and the position (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer), and be e-mailed to [email protected] .All applicants should state how they meet essential requirements of the post and include their email address, telephone contacts and three referees with contact details on the application form.

This job description is intended as a guide and should not be viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time based on discussions with the post holder and the line manager. The post holder will be expected to work to agreed objectives, which should facilitate achievements of key responsibilities in accordance with the Performance Review Process