Equatorial Guinea: Agriculture 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 is implementing a project seeking to support and grow base-level entrepreneurship on the mainland region of Equatorial Guinea, through value chain upgrading 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 objective of the project is 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 Value Chain Development in targeted base-level entrepreneurship subsectors (pineapples, horticulture and cocoa), provision of training and technical assistance for the cocoa sector and business development support for new and existing base-level entrepreneurs.

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

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

· Support the design and planning of the agricultural value chain upgrading components of the project.

· Manage the implementation of the agricultural value chain upgrading 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 value chain 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 components of the project.

· Develop and maintain positive relationships with relevant local stakeholders related to agricultural value chain 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 is essential and English advantageous

· 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, horticulture and cocoa

· Direct experience of working in one or more of the following agricultural development frameworks: Value Chain Upgrading, Farmer Field Schools, Markets for the poor, food security and nutrition

· Experience living and working in developing countries essential

· Practical agricultural skills, preferably applied in the tropics

· Strong organizational 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 at hruk@montroseint.com by 30 April 2019.