Post-harvest and Marketing Officer at Ngoma Outgrower Service Company Ltd: (Deadline 25 January 2025)

Vacancy for ambitious and knowledgeable professionals with a passion for rural development 

Project: Ngoma Outgrower Service Company Model

The mission of the Ngoma Out grower Service Company Ltd is to  ”Facilitate farmers’ access to agricultural inputs and extension services including post-harvest handling operations, aggregation and access to agricultural produce markets“. In this regard, the company is hiring

1 post-harvest and marketing officer to work with farmers in Ngoma and Kirehe districts.  The recruited staff shall report to the General Manager of Ngoma OSC Ltd.

Introduction of the project

Ngoma Outgrower Service Company model is a project funded by Enabel in the framework of PRISM (Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Stock Market Project) which aims to contribute to the reforms and transformation of the Pork, Poultry, and Animal feed value chains in Rwanda. The OSC model for maize and soybean in Rwanda started initially in 2021 as a pilot project which had the main objective of increasing the soybean and maize productivity and supplies of raw materials for animal feed production. The Outgrower Service Company model was set up to provide solutions to challenges faced by both smallholder farmers and animal feed processors. Agriterra implemented the model for a period of 3 years (2021-2023) with funding of Enabel and the project resulted in Ngoma OSC Ltd becoming as a successfully operating maize aggregation company led by multiple coops.

By building on the success of phase 1, Enabel has allocated new funding to Agriterra in the framework of PRISM II,  to keep strengthening the OSC project for a period of 24 months (2024-2026). The main objective of the new project is to position the OSC company as a stable business model benefiting smallholder farmers grouped in 13 maize cooperatives located in two districts of the Eastern province of Rwanda, Ngoma and Kirehe.

To achieve that, the project will support the company’s venture into value addition to increase the farmers’ ability to anticipate price fluctuations and increase the value they capture from the value chain. Additionally, different trainings and services will be provided to the farmers to ensure that they embrace best The targeted number of direct beneficiaries is 4,000 maize farmers.

Duties

• To support the cooperatives to progressively improve their post-harvest handling and storage while anticipating market demand.
• Proactively establish and maintain relationships with value chain partners, in the interest of the affiliated farmers.
• Train the team of agronomists, and farmer promoters and lead farmers on post-harvest handling and storage techniques.
• Oversee the post-harvest handling and storage training of farmers to be conducted by farmer promoters and lead farmers.
• Focal person for all queries related to delivery and quality of the production.
• Support the follow-up on payment of the production delivered to buyers by cooperatives
• Ensure proper recording, reporting and analysis of the production, aggregation and sales data of beneficiary cooperatives.
• Develop monthly reports indicating the progress of assigned responsibilities.
• Serve as the focal person for all queries related to delivery and quality of the production.
• Ability to work in an innovative business model, with loyalty to farmers, cooperatives.
• Ability to work in Ngoma District and Kirehe .
• Strongly developed analytical abilities and commercial insight.
• A robust personality combined with the ability to work independently.
• Support the follow-up on payment of the production delivered to buyers by the OSC.
• Ensure proper recording, reporting and analysis of the production, aggregation and sales data.
• Organize the contract negotiation and signing meetings between OSC and buyers.

Expected results

• Improved post-harvest handling techniques, from farm to firm.
• Knowledge transfer in post-harvest handling practices.
• Improved quality of produced and aggregated maize.
• Efficient access to reliable and profitable markets for maize.
• Carry out other relevant tasks as assigned by Agriterra Rwanda

Your profile

• A0 in Agriculture Sciences, Food Sciences, Agribusiness, or a related field with at least 2 years of working experience in post-harvest handling and storage.
• Working knowledge in computer skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good interpersonal and writing skills in Kinyarwanda, French, and English.
• Good level of organizational skills.
• Ability to work in an innovative business model, with loyalty to farmers, and cooperatives.
• Ability to work in Ngoma and Kirehe districts.
• Strongly developed analytical abilities and commercial insight.
• Having the ability to work independently.
• Experience in post-harvest handling and storage techniques for maize and soybeans is an advantage.

Are you interested?

Are you interested in this position, and do you fit the profile? Apply before the 25^th   of January 2025 with a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and academic and service certificates in one PDF file, by sending an e-mail to [email protected] to the attention of Mr. Majyambere Viateur Chairman of the Board. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.