Agriculture Training Specialist at PYXERA Global

PYXERA Global, a Washington, D.C. based nonprofit organization, PYXERA Global is currently implementing an agriculture development program in Nigeria funded by The Rockefeller Foundation that aims to reduce post-harvest loss along the tomato value chain.

We are seeking qualified candidates for the position below to be based full-time in Kano, Nigeria:

Job Title: Agriculture Training Specialist

Location: Kano

Summary

• The Agriculture Training Specialist will provide technical expertise to the Farmer Aggregation and Training team, and will lead all training activities to support smallholder farmers in reducing post-harvest loss of tomatoes.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Agriculture Training Specialist will report directly to the Nigeria YieldWise Deputy Director and will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop training lesson plans, modules and training guides for all project training activities.
• Develop a clear training work plan based on tomato seasonal calendar, farmer availability, project deadlines and targets.
• Develop a training curriculum on improved pre- and post-harvest agronomic practices, access to finance, and farmer association capacity building with the end goal of reducing post-harvest loss of tomatoes for farmers in northern Nigeria.
• Incorporate adult learning skills objectives and techniques to prepare training modules to follow adult learning quality standards.
• Develop and lead training of trainer (“ToT”) workshops for extension agents and lead farmers to become trainers in their designated local government areas.
• Monitor performance of trained trainers and provide regular feedback for effective implementation of trainings.
• Analyze and document tomato farming systems, with a specific focus on how to reduce loss on farm, in transit and as a result of seasonal glut
• Liaise with Market Linkages team to incorporate specific buyer standards and requirements into training curriculum to support farmers in becoming ready suppliers
• Provide regular agronomic advice to inform trainings and other program activities with respect to market linkages, access to finance, and PHL technologies
• Identify opportunity to increase female integration and participation in trainings and develop specific capacity building programs for women where needed
• Coordinate with subject matter experts, industry providers and academic institutions to regularly update training curriculum and leverage additional resources for added value to trainings
• Document field achievements, innovations, failures and lessons learned to integrate into subsequent project activities and inform project expansion strategy.
• Provide input on monitoring & evaluation tools to ensure accurate data collection, verification and analysis of training activities, and to avoid duplication of efforts
• Develop post-season reports to be submitted to the YieldWise Deputy Director and shared with HQ.
• Support the development of other program reports on training activities, as needed.
• Conduct frequent site visits to observe trainings, monitor adoption of practices, and collect farm data from farmers.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agribusiness or related field, M.Sc preferred.
• At least 7 years’ experience in agriculture or agribusiness, with a minimum of 3 years in training/capacity building of farmers.
• Previous experience designing and implementing adult learning training modules including curriculum, lesson plans, objectives and learning assessments.
• Excellent facilitation skills, familiarity with ToT approaches and methodologies, and competencies to use tailor-made and diversified facilitation/ training methods and tools.
• Demonstrated expertise in agronomic practices, financial literacy, farmer loans and credit, on-farm technologies and farmer association capacity building.
• Fluency in English and Hausa, required.
• Professional experience in northern Nigeria, preferred.
• Nigerian national, preferred.

Application Closing Date
12th July, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and CV/resume to: [email protected] In the subject line of the email please write, "PYXERA Global Nigeria YieldWise - Agriculture Training Specialist."

Note

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please indicate your availability and earliest start date in your email and/or cover letter.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered and phone calls will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.