Job Title: Field Technical Advisor (FTA)

Company: Asili Agriculture

Type: Full-time

Industry: Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources

Category: Admin & Office

Deadline: Wednesday, May 22, 2024

Duty Station: Within Uganda (Masindi, Kiryandongo, Hoima, Buliisa)

Date Posted: Thursday, May 09, 2024

Base Salary: Not Disclosed

About Asili Agriculture: Asili Agriculture is a fully-mechanized largescale farming company with an integrated food security platform for East Africa. Operating since January 2014, Asili manages dual-season production of high-quality maize and soybeans on over 7,000 hectares of land in Western Uganda. Their approach focuses on conservation agriculture and precision farming to maximize yields sustainably. Asili’s mission is to deliver integrated agricultural land management and marketplace solutions that empower farmers and food system stakeholders to increase profitability, resilience, and nutrition sustainably.

The Purpose of the Role: The Field Technical Advisor (FTA) is integral to Asili’s Producer Services Business Unit. They lead agricultural operations from input procurement to market sales, acting as educators and mentors. The FTA guides Village Technical Experts, Lead Farmers, and individual farmers in adopting best practices and emphasizes the importance of quality agroinputs. Additionally, they advocate for superior inputs’ availability and facilitate farmers’ access to financial resources, empowering them to make informed choices in the market.

Roles and Responsibilities:

1. Farmers Registration and Onboarding: Collaborate with Village Technical Experts (VTEs) and Lead Farmers to qualify farmers during registration and recruitment processes.
2. VTEs & Lead Farmers’ Agronomic Training: Provide training to new VTEs and Lead Farmers, offer regular refresher courses to existing ones, and support their agronomic advice based on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
3. Farmers Agronomic Training: Train registered farmers in GAP, emphasizing the use and benefits of quality agro-inputs.
4. Grain Sourcing on AMSAF: Estimate and manage farmer grain delivery potential on the AMSAF (Asili Marketplace App), communicating with Asili’s grain collection centers.
5. Credit Management: Contribute to the development and implementation of a credit scoring system for farmers, provide credit, monitor repayment, and facilitate loan recoveries.
6. Perform other key responsibilities as may be required from time to time.

Personal Specification: Essential:

• Senior 6 certificate with 2+ years of experience in agriculture, trade, or sales.
• Fluent in English with effective communication skills.

Desirable:

• Proficiency in riding a motorbike.
• Experience or knowledge in sustainable agricultural practices.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to mentor effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team.

Competencies:

1. Proficiency in agricultural practices.
2. Knowledge of agro-inputs.
3. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
4. Ability to convey complex agricultural concepts clearly.
5. Strong interpersonal skills.
6. Empathy and cultural sensitivity.
7. Analytical mind-set and problem-solving skills.
8. Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

Working Conditions:

• Field-Based Role.
• Extensive travel to rural and remote agricultural areas.
• Variable Schedule with irregular hours.
• Physical activities may be involved, such as walking long distances and working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Asili Agriculture is an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workforce. Candidates from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Work Hours: 8

Experience: 24 months

Education: High School

How to Apply: Interested applicants should send their CV and a Cover Letter to recruitment@agilis-partners.com by May 22, 2024. Please include the reference “Field Technical Advisor (FTA) 08-05-2024” in the subject line. Hard copy applications will not be accepted.