project will enable Liberia to take advantage of the positive international market trends on demand and prices for cocoa and coffee. The project will focus on both production and marketing in an inclusive manner through a value-chain and market-oriented approach. STCRSP will foster production of high quality produce and will support smallholder farmers in linking with the market in order to receive higher price for their produce, increase their income and improve their livelihoods. The STCRSP will be implemented over 5 years. The total cost of the project is USD24.26 million.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
Working under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and in collaboration with the Tree Crop Specialist, the Agri-Business Specialist will in ensuring that the project targets small scale producers through the implementation of production enhancement activities.
Specific Duties:
• Responsible for the coordination and supervision of the Component 1 of the project (cocoa /coffee revitalization);
• Work in close collaboration with the PMU staff;
• Provide guidance to NGOs/Service providers hired to implement the activities and oversee the overall process of selection of target FOs and beneficiaries in close collaboration with the Rural Institutions and Gender Mainstreaming officer;
• Liaise with other relevant programmes and technical departments in the Public sector;
• Liaise with any other stakeholder such seed companies, agro-dealers (distributors and sub distributors), equipment suppliers, cocoa/coffee buyers, cocoa/coffee exporters;
• Supervise the service providers and NGOs in charge of implementing the activity;
• Promotion and dissemination of sustainable agricultural practices through the FFS approach;
• Prepare and monitor the pay back mechanism;
• Contribute to the drafting of periodic project progress reports;
• Contribute to the annual work plan and budget for component 1;
• Undertake other activities as requested by the Project Coordinator of STCRSP, Director of the PMU and the Minister of Agriculture.
JOB REQUIREMENT:
• Masters or higher level university Agricultural Economic, Agri-Business and other relevant discipline;
• Minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience including at least 2 years in implementation of agricultural productivity enhancement projects;
• Knowledge in participatory approaches, gender mainstreaming and Farmers ‘Field School approach will be appreciated;
• Proven record in the field of project implementation of productivity enhancement projects; and
• Good writing skills and computer literacy will be an advantage.
Application Procedure
Applications, with detailed curriculum vitae (CV), including telephone and email contacts, copies of educational diplomas/certificates and names and contact details of three references should be sent by courier or E-mail to:
Director, Program Management Unit Ministry of Agriculture Somalia Drive, Gardnersville
Monrovia, Liberia E-mail: mmzinnah57@yahoo.com
Application Deadline: January 27, 2012
