Summary
Date Posted: Thursday, May 09 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:

Reports To: PSBU Manager
Department: Producers Services Business Unit (PSBU)
Location: Masindi / Kiryandongo / Hoima / Buliisa
Tier: 5b
Contract Duration: 1 year
Direct Reports to this Position: None
Assets Controlled: Motor cycle, Smart Phone

Asili Agriculture is a fully-mechanized largescale farming company with an integrated food security platform for East Africa that manages dual-season production of high quality maize and soybeans for supply to regional food processors. Asili became operational in January 2014 and is currently farming on over 7,000 ha of land in Western Uganda under a conservation agriculture and precision farming approach to maximize yields efficiently and sustainably.
● Our purpose: To catalyse a more equitable, resilient and regenerative food system.
● Our mission: To deliver integrated agricultural land management & marketplace solutions that empowers farmers and food system stakeholders to sustainably increase profitability, resilience and nutrition.
● Our vision: A food system in harmony with nature that empowers farmers, nourishes communities, and creates local prosperity.

Our Farm Hubs operate the largest staple foods farming enterprise in Uganda. We also operate grain storage and trading activities serving over 15,000 farmers and supplying over 40,000 MT of food annually. Our Producer Services Business Unit (PSBU) provides bundled services—agronomy, quality inputs supply, grain marketing and financial services—to smallscale producers (also known as smallholders) as well as customized farming services to large landowners. Our Digital Division develops AMSAF – a resilient food marketplace connecting all stakeholders - and implements digital solutions employed across our Hubs and PSBU. Today, we employ 230+ individuals and employ over 800 temporary employees. We are an ambitious and growing business with a vibrant and dedicated workforce committed to expanding equitable, resilient and regenerative food systems in the region.

The Purpose of the role
The Field Technical Advisor (FTA) plays a pivotal role within Asili's Producer Services Business Unit, spearheading agricultural operations from input procurement to market sales. Acting as both educator and mentor, they guide Village Technical Experts, Lead Farmers, and individual farmers in adopting best practices, emphasizing the importance of quality agroinputs. Moreover, FTAs advocate for the availability of superior inputs and facilitate farmers' access to financial resources, empowering them to make informed choices in the market. Their multifaceted role blends agricultural acumen, business acuity, and mentorship to foster sustainable agricultural practices and foster economic independence among farming communities.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities of the Position
The successful candidate will be expected to perform the following tasks with respect to this position:
1. Farmers Registration and Onboarding:
• Collaborate with VTEs (Village Technical Experts) and Lead Farmers to qualify farmers during registration and recruitment processes.
2. VTEs & Lead Farmers' Agronomic Training:
• Provide training to new VTEs and Lead Farmers, offer regular refresher courses to existing VTEs and Lead Farmers, and support their agronomic advice to farmers based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
3. Farmers Agronomic Training:
• Train registered farmers in GAP, emphasizing the use and benefits of quality agro-inputs such as improved seeds, herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and fertilizers to ensure adoption.
4. Grain Sourcing on AMSAF:
• Estimate and manage farmer grain delivery potential on the AMSAF (Asili Marketplace App), communicating with Asili's grain collection centers.
5. Credit Management:
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a credit scoring system for farmers, provide credit, monitor repayment, and facilitate loan recoveries.
6. Perform other key responsibilities as my be required from time to time

Personal Specification for this Role
Essential
• Senior 6 certificate with 2+ years of experience in agriculture, trade, or sales.
• Fluent in English with effective communication skills.

Desirable
● Proficiency in riding a motorbike, facilitating efficient travel to remote agricultural areas and enhancing accessibility to farmers and communities.
● Experience or knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices.
● Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to mentor and train others effectively.
● Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team

Competencies for this Role
1. Proficiency in agricultural practices, including crop cultivation, pest management, soil health management, and post-harvest handling.
2. Knowledge of agro-inputs, including seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, with the ability to assess quality, recommend suitable products, and advocate for access to reliable inputs.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
4. Ability to convey complex agricultural concepts in a clear, concise manner, tailored to
the audience's level of understanding, and facilitate productive discussions and knowledge sharing sessions.
5. Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust, rapport, and positive relationships with farmers and community members.
6. Empathy and cultural sensitivity
7. Analytical mind-set and problem-solving skills to identify challenges and opportunities within agricultural systems
8. Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams

Working Conditions
• Field-Based Role: primarily operating in rural and often remote agricultural areas
• Need to travel extensively to engage directly with farmers and community stakeholders.
• Variable Schedule that entails irregular hours.
• The role may involve physical activities such as walking long distances,
• Working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Interpersonal Engagement
• Adherence to Safety Protocols

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Asili Agriculture is an equal opportunities employer and seeks to provide equal-opportunity employment to all employees and applicants. Asili Agriculture strongly believes in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within its workforce. At Asili Agriculture, diversity refers to all the ways in which we differ. This includes but is not limited to age, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion and nationality. Asili Agriculture encourages qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply to become part of our organisation.

Any candidate offered a job with Asili will be expected to comply with Asili’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: High School

Job application procedure

Does this sound like an exciting role and company to work with? Do you have any questions? We would be happy to hear from you.

Interested applicants please send your CV and a Cover Letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate for this role to recruitment@agilis-partners.com  by 22nd May 2024. All applications should have the reference Field Technical Advisor (FTA) 08-05-2024 in the subject line. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.

Please note this is an ongoing recruitment process. Candidates will be contacted and assessed on a rolling-basis.

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