Duties and Tasks
- Identifying candidate for future farm roles, undertaking the interview process and building the sparkle farm team.
- Having direct input into the design of the farm, what crops are grown and in what quantities.
- Analyzing existing operations, crops, livestock, staff, and financial documents and recommending improvements.
- Preparing plans and schedules for planting and harvesting and ensuring staff understand expectations.
- Inspect crops, livestock, and perform tests on soil and water.
- Ensuring seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and other supplies are regularly restocked as required.
- Scheduling repairs, maintenance, and replacement of equipment and machinery.
- Handling the marketing and sale of products produced on the farm like fruit, vegetables, meat, and grain.
- Ensuring all staff adheres to health and safety regulations.
- Scheduling and undertaking regular training sessions with the Sparkle Farm team.
- Collaborating with senior staff to prepare budgets and financial reports.
- Building professional networks and keeping abreast of developments in agricultural science.
- Submit progress reports to donors per agreed timelines.
Qualifications
- Diploma in Agriculture or Agriculture Extension
- Additional qualification in agribusiness management or administration shall be an added advantage.
- A passion for agriculture.
- Extensive experience in a farming-related field.
- Management experience would be a plus.
- Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
- The ability to make decisions in stressful environments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Willingness to work overtime as required.
Desirable personal attributes
- Reliable, accurate and systematic
- Goal-oriented, problem solving, independent, committed, innovative and motivated.
- Able and willing to learn and acquire new knowledge relevant to the offered position.
- Excellent social and interpersonal communication skills.
- Knowledge and experience of introducing new agriculture innovations to communities.
- Team working
- Trust/reliability
- Flexibility
- Ability to assist in community events and activities.
- Strong affinity with the mission and values of The Sparkle Foundation and the voluntary and charity sector
- Friendly, positive, and personable manner with a high level of energy and enthusiasm
- Strong multitasking abilities and abilities to work to meet objectives and to meet deadlines
- Ability to work without lots of supervision and make decisions
- High English proficiency for both speaking and writing
- Excellent IT skills including MS Office, experience of database use, with proven ability to learn new systems.
- The Country Director, The Sparkle Foundation, P.O Box 1122, Zomba. Alternatively, you can submit via the following email address.
