Job Announcement: Input Supply Specialist

Fintrac Global Inc. (FGI) is a US-based, Small Business Administration (SBA)-certified small business specializing in agricultural development in emerging markets. Using localized knowledge, technologies, and inputs, we support farming families, entrepreneurs, and agribusinesses to improve productivity and availability of nutritious foods, increase incomes, strengthen resiliency to climate change, and reach new markets. Our objective is to prepare the next generation of smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to sustainably meet the world’s rising food security demands.

In Tanzania, FGI is implementing a subcontract with ACDI/VOCA under the USAID-funded Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Activity, which aims to transform the Tanzanian horticulture market system into a more vibrant, competitive, resilient, and inclusive one capable of fueling sustained growth and drawing in new market opportunities. Under this subcontract, FGI is seeking Input Supply Specialists in Iringa, Mbeya, and Zanzibar Regions.

SUMMARY:

Support input supply companies, agro dealers, youth groups, lead farmers and VBAAs through establishing commercial linkages. Facilitate product knowledge training, technical assistance in distribution, market linkages, and compliance to environmental safety and safe handling of pesticides, seeds and other farm inputs regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assessment of the input suppliers and youth groups eligible for participation in Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Program.
Liaise with input supply companies to plan, organize, and conduct public information and marketing campaigns to support demand creation for productivity enhancing technologies.
Support the establishment of linkages between input companies, agro dealers, cooperatives, VBAAs, farmers’ associations, and youth groups to strengthen last mile access to inputs and other productivity enhancing technologies.
Support agro dealers, working with VBAAs and youth producers to comply with environmental and safety requirements for pesticides per USAID requirements.
Facilitate provision of technical support to input companies, youth groups, lead farmers, VBAAs, hub- agro dealers, rural agro dealers in the implementation of the milestone deliverables as per grant agreements.
Liaise with Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Business Development and Partnerships Teams to facilitate alternative financing mechanisms for rural agro dealers, VBAAs, and youth-led enterprises for accessible and affordable financing of rural input suppliers.
Profile and facilitate preparation of training materials for youth groups, agro dealers, VBAAs, and lead farmers in product knowledge in collaboration with input supply companies.
Follow up on the available productivity enhancing technologies from input companies, research institutes and model farmers and liaise with stakeholders and Feed the Future Tanzania Kilimo Tija Partnerships and Business Development teams to support their commercialization.
Liaise with Senior Agronomist and input supply companies to support establishment and follow up of technology demonstration sites as platforms for demand creation and training.
Follow up on collection of M&E data from input suppliers, youth groups, and farmers’ organizations to ensure quality and completeness of data collection forms and address all gaps based on supervisors’ input.
Submit timely field data related to indicators and quarterly reports to Productivity and Technology Commercialization Manager.
Work with supervisor to plan and implement work plans in designated region.
Undertake other activities and duties as may be assigned from time to time.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in agriculture, agronomy, botany, horticulture, or related field
At least 5 years’ working experience in agro input supply industry or institution supporting scaling seeds and technology in the agriculture sector
Must have excellent knowledge in horticulture production, as well as possess strong leadership skills and have a proven track record in agriculture development projects
Previous or current experience in the horticulture industry in Tanzania is an added advantage.

Excellent writing skills and oral communication skills

Ability to work independently and produce quality communications under tight deadlines
Complete fluency in oral and written Kiswahili and English
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other media creation/editing programs