Equatorial Guinea: Agricultural Specialist

MONTROSE is an international development project management and consultancy company providing support to clients operating in the developing world. Specialised in the sectors of health, education, rural livelihoods and private sector development, our clients include bilateral and multilateral development agencies, the private sector, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other development stakeholders.

Background

Montrose has been contracted to support and grow base-level entrepreneurship on the mainland region of Equatorial Guinea, through strengthening of base-level agricultural sub-sectors and direct support to new and existing base-level entrepreneurs. Base-level enterprises are small scale, income-generating enterprises generally operating in the informal sector.

The objectives of the project are to support the establishment and growth of base-level enterprises in mainland EG and contribute to a positive culture of entrepreneurship, and through these objectives to support long-term diversification and strengthening of the EG economy.

The major body of the work will comprise of several work streams. These consist of strengthening of targeted base-level subsectors, provision of training and technical assistance for the cocoa sector and business development support and training for new and existing base-level entrepreneurs.

Montrose is seeking to identify an Agricultural Specialist who will hold a full-time position in the Equatorial Guinea office.

Role and Responsibilities:

The Agricultural Specialist will be responsible for providing technical assistance to the strengthening of identified agricultural subsectors (initially pineapples and aquaculture). The Agricultural Specialist will work in collaboration with an Entrepreneurship and Value Chain Specialist who will lead value chain development in the identified subsectors along with the entrepreneur capacity development component of the project. The Agricultural Specialist will also work in close collaboration with the Programme Director who has overall responsibility for the implementation of the programme.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support the design and planning of the agricultural/aquaculture subsector strengthening components of the project.
• Manage the implementation of the agricultural/aquaculture subsector strengthening components of the project
• Draft reports on completion of project activities and inputs into narrative project reports
• Draft, monitor and manage activity budgets for agricultural/aquaculture components of the project with support/oversight from Programme Director
• Support the design and implementation of the monitoring framework and plan as it relates to agricultural/aquaculture components of the project
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with relevant local stakeholders related to agricultural/aquaculture components of the project
• Work closely with, mentor and develop the capacity of national counterparts on the project team
• Provide support, guidance and advice to national counterpart in the development and implementation of activities
• Support the Programme Director in the programme management and administration of the project as needed
• Liaise closely with the Programme Director, keeping him up to date on progress and problems as they arise
• Represent the project and company in the absence of the Programme Director as required
• Any other duties that arise as appropriate

Skills and Experience:

• Fluency in Spanish essential and English an advantage
• A relevant university degree in agriculture
• A minimum of five years’ experience in small-scale agricultural strengthening programmes required
• Direct experience of working in one or more of the following sectors an asset: pineapples, aquaculture, horticulture
• Experience living and working in developing countries essential
• Practical agricultural skills, preferably applied in the tropics
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent computer skills
• Ability to work to tight deadlines and under pressure
• High degree of initiative, flexibility and creativity
• Ability to work well within a small team and able to work independently with minimal supervision
• Experience in capacity development and/or mentoring an asset
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

If you meet the above qualifications and are interested in this opportunity, please submit a detailed CV together with a covering letter explaining how you are suited for the position to hruk@montroseint.com by 25^th March 2016.