VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

[Kabindra Burlakoti]

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

 

A National Level Agriculture conglomerate with an aim to self reliant in agriculture and goal to organic farming invites applications for the post of Project Head from interested eligible candidates who are a dynamic, high caliber professional and have ability to deliver results with highest level of integrity.

Position: Project Head

Post Type: Full time                                                       

Work Station: Kathmandu and frequently visit to project sites in districts.

Salary: NRs 18 to 24 Lakhs per annum pro rata (all inclusive)

Contract Type: Two years with 3 months probationary period, extension - based on performance.

 

S/he will establish partnership with local organizations, farmers, cooperatives and government stakeholders, and will work closely with relevant actors in the agriculture value chain to ensure successful introduction of national level agricultural company. S/he will work in close collaboration with the CEO who will lead and guide the project.

Key responsibilities

·          Lead on the delivery of the project design phase that is tailored to the local farming activities’ methods, crop seasonality, needs and challenges, including:

·         Lead on the identification of project target regions with high potential.

·         Work with the relevant government agencies to ensure alignment with their priorities, as well as to reach out to small farmers communities

·         Build alliance and coordinate partnership with local agro-focused organizations with significant extension network to help with farmer mobilization and buy-in during implementation phase

·         Conduct baseline assessment/farmer needs assessment to inform project design.

·         Identifying appropriate suppliers, assessing their needs and initiating engagement with them

·         Design a financial mechanism that is appropriate to the needs of farmers and start engagement with financial institutions

·         Establish partnership with other relevant stakeholders as appropriate such as farmer cooperatives

·         Produce an action plan and procurement process for the implementation phase based on the findings and recommendations provided in the design phase

·         Lead on the delivery of the project implementation phase and provide technical inputs in close collaboration with other team members

·         Lead on project mobilization and outreach to farmers. Organize, promote and manage outreach events.

·         Support in final selection and engagement with required agricultural equipment (including preparation of tender documents specifying product requirements and evaluation criteria)

·         Lead on setting up with suppliers and distribution agents a process to provide support to farmers before, during and after the purchasing cycle.

·         Participate in mainstreaming gender in activities to ensure women among the target beneficiaries of the project

·         Strengthening and maintaining relations with relevant government line ministries and private sector/research institutions to coordinate the adoption of new products and/or approaches in agriculture development and marketing

·         Design a strategy to strengthen linkages with any other NGO’s, private sector and service providers or government agencies in supporting and addressing various farmer’s needs

·         Develop project work plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities in line with work plans and activity schedules

·         Provide support and guidance to the junior managers to develop, review, oversee and review project strategy and activities related to the implementation of the project according to the project design, risk and challenges encountered during implementation;

·         Provide technical assistance for the design of the project’s monitoring and evaluation strategy. Support in developing M&E system to measure profitability and relevant business indicators of targeted farmers.

·         Monitor, identify and advice on challenges and risks facing the implementation of the project

·         Ensuring the provision of quality data on a timely basis for internal project management and external reporting purposes;

·         Contribute to dissemination of good practice and lessons from the organization’s work and promote experience sharing and learning in the organization and among partners

·         Supporting project reporting and assisting program management in other activities as and when necessary.

·         Organize and assist with management of project budgets.

·         Team management

 

Required skills and experience

·         Postgraduate in agricultural economics, agribusiness management or agronomy,

·         10 years’ experience in agro-business development and management of agriculture focused projects in developing countries like Nepal.

·         Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers, processors in agriculture value chain)

·         Experience with commonly used tools for market analysis and program design such as sub-sector analysis, gross margin analysis and business planning.

·         Knowledge of agronomic principles and practices, including crops, soils and nutrients.

·         Experience in the practices, principles and operations associated with modern production agriculture.

·         Proven experience delivering agriculture focused program to improve livelihood and reduce poverty of smallholder farmers in Rwanda

·         Knowledge of the agriculture sector in Nepal and its regulation and stakeholders

·         High level of computer literacy (primarily in Microsoft Office packages).

·         Excellent planning and time management skills and ability to meet deadlines

·         Ability to work calmly under pressure to deliver as part of a team

·         A high level of attention to detail and accuracy in working with numbers;

·         Strong analytical ability, able to evaluate and to appraise critically quantitative and qualitative information.

·         Fluent in Local languages and English.

·         Knowledge of the energy sector and its challenges preferred

·         The position will require regular travel within remote rural areas of Nepal

 

Applications and Deadlines:

·         Qualified candidates are requested to email the following documents  at hamrone...@gmail.com

·         A cover letter

·         An updated CV with recent passport size photo

·         A brief approach paper of no more than three pages highlighting on the current situation of Agriculture in Nepal with major ideas on agro economy, self reliant agriculture and uplifting farmers in the country.

·         The application deadline for this position is 17:00 hrs, 7^th August 2020

 

Interview and Presentations:

·         Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for the further selection process including presentation and interview. There might be a session for quick project development as well.

The organization reserves all rights to qualify/disqualify applications in any case; all applications will be treated with the highest confidentiality.

 

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