Location: Mali
Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is seeking an experienced Senior Program Officer: Postharvest and Agro-processing Extension (PHAP). The successful candidate will likely be stationed in Mali, but will be overseeing the entire program in SAA’s four focus countries: Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. The Postharvest and Agro-processing Extension (PHAP) program of SAA aims to demonstrate economically viable value-adding postharvest and agro-processing technologies in clearly defined crop value chains to contribute to improve the incomes and livelihood of smallholder farmers in Africa.
The Senior Program Officer, will provide backstopping to the PHAP program in areas related to post-harvest handling, drying and storage. S/he is expected to assist in developing, managing and monitoring the program activities in SAA focus countries. The Senior Program Officer is directly responsible to the PHAP Theme Director.
About SAA and SAFE
The Sasakawa Africa Association was established in 1986 and registered in Geneva, Switzerland as a Swiss NGO. Its administrative headquarters are in Tokyo, Japan. SAA spearheads efforts to modernize the techniques small farmers use to produce food and help them organized to obtain credit, acquire inputs, and market their harvests more successfully.
The SAA mission is to help sub Saharan African governments reduce poverty, enhance food security, and protect the natural resource base through the accelerated adoption of productivity enhancing agricultural technology.
The Sasakawa Fund for Extension Education (SAFE) was established in 2002 and registered in Geneva, Switzerland as a Swiss NGO. Its administrative headquarters are also in Tokyo, Japan. SAFE identifies outstanding mid-career extension workers who have strong field level technical and leadership skills and offers them the opportunity to study for a BSc or MSc degree in agricultural extension. These efforts are underpinned by SAFE’s work with selected African universities to reform and modernize their agricultural education program.
SAA and SAFE have highly complementary objectives and work closely together to improve the delivery of extension services to Africa’s smallholder farmers. Both organizations have Managing Directors who serve as Chief Operating Officers responsible for day-to-day implementation of their Board approved programs of work. The two organizations have overlapping Boards of Trustees.
Board oversight of both organizations is exercised on a continuous basis by two Executive Directors, one focused on programmatic matters and the other on management –related issues. These EDs are full members of the SAA and SAFE Boards. For more information, go to www.saa-tokyo.org.
Primary Role and Responsibilities
While the specific responsibilities of the Senior Program Officer: Postharvest and Agro-processing Extension will largely depend on the prevailing operational environment, his/her role in the organization entails a generic set of responsibilities that include:
1. Provide technical expertise in developing and implementing an extension program to solve various issues on postharvest, drying and storage in the focus countries;
2. Analyze and report on economic feasibility of various postharvest, drying, storage and agro-processing options promoted to farmers and agro-processors;
3. Design and prepare pack training packages (modules, leaflets, handouts, etc.) for use in the focus countries;
4. Write project proposals and reports for meeting and strategy planning in consultation with the Theme Director, and prepare background briefings for developing the thematic program in the SAA focus country; and
5. Promote extension services and provide feedback among colleagues and to partners from other agencies through presentations, reports and dialogues.
We are seeking a dynamic and motivated candidate who has:
1. Worked in agricultural-related projects, particularly in the area of crop postharvest handling, drying and storage issues in developing countries, as well as expertise in the following areas:
• Knowledge of value-chain approach as applied to agricultural development
• Knowledge of quality control in processing and storage
• Knowledge of renewable energy applied to agricultural processes
• Working knowledge of extension methods and approaches, including strategies for effectively communicating research results and linking to policy-makers
• Knowledge of project monitoring and evaluation.
2. Competence with basic computer programs for word and data processing, and webpage design and management.
Work Experience
At least five (5) years relevant experience, which includes:
• Designing and delivering capacity-building technologies on postharvest handling, drying and storage technologies
• Establishing and building partnerships
• Communicating technologies to different audiences including farmers and policy-makers
• Work experience in African countries
• Familiarity with matrix management
• The candidate must be conversant in both written and spoken English and French.
Personal Competencies
• Strong planning, organization, problem-solving, coordination, negotiation and leadership skills
• Ability to work under pressure, as a member of a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team
• Ability to establish, manage, guide and monitor work relationships with different stakeholders
• Ability to provide specialized advice and guidance to external contacts
• Awareness of and sensitivity to individual, gender and cultural differences
• Ability to write technical reports evidenced by publications
• Innovative and resourceful
Additional Information
This position requires travelling to the SAA focus countries at least 60 days in a year.
How to apply:
If you wish to apply, send by email an up-to-date CV and cover letter describing why you are interested and why you feel you are especially qualified for the position of Senior Program Officer: Postharvest and Agro-processing Extension. Emails should be sent to:
Ms. Karen Bromham (kdbromham@gmail.com)
NOTE: SAA provides an internationally competitive salary package, is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages women applicants. Closing date for application is December 18th, 2010.
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