SUA 500 Temporary Vacancies November 2024

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: 500 TEMPORARY POSITIONS THROUGH A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR CASHEW DEVELOPMENT IN TANZANIA, SUA 500 Temporary Vacancies November 2024

Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Cashew Board of Tanzania (CBT), is implementing the Building a Better Tomorrow in Cashew Farming (BBT-Cashew) program. As part of this program, SUA-MoA-CBT plans to recruit 500 agricultural extension officers and assistant officers for a one-year contract to support the development of cashew farming in Tanzania. The initiative will be implemented during the 2024/2025 agricultural season in preparation for the 2025/2026 cashew production season. The project will focus on Mtwara, Lindi, Ruvuma (Tunduru), and Pwani regions.

The BBT program aims to create 20,000 employment opportunities for youth and women through skill development (internships) and establish 12,000 village-based economic activities and block farming systems by 2030. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture intends to strengthen agricultural extension services through the BBT Agricultural Extension Entrepreneurship Scheme (BBT-AEES), where 500 qualified graduates will be employed on a temporary basis to provide cashew-related extension services.

The available positions are as follows:

1. Position: Agricultural Officer (100 Positions)

Key Responsibilities:

Provide professional advice to farmers and other stakeholders in the cashew value chain by:
Educating farmers on good cashew farming practices, from field preparation, farm management, harvesting, value addition, storage, to market access.
Ensuring quality control of raw cashews from the farm to storage facilities.
Monitoring compliance with cashew farming regulations.
Preparing and submitting weekly progress reports.
Identifying input needs, including seeds/seedlings, for farmers and submitting requests to the Tanzania Cashew Board.
Overseeing the proper distribution and usage of farm inputs.
Update databases of farmers and other stakeholders in digital systems.
Supervise the distribution of government-subsidized cashew inputs to farmers.
Train farmers on proper and safe use of pesticides.
Verify the quality of cashews at cooperative societies (AMCOS).

Establish demonstration plots and training farms in the assigned area.
Forecast raw cashew production based on existing productive cashew trees.
Collect and report data on home-based and small-scale cashew processing activities.
Collaborate with stakeholders and ensure farmers access the services provided.
Maintain records of services provided to farmers.
Assist with selecting lead farmers in collaboration with village authorities.
Advise on other crops grown in the village or area of assignment.
Evaluate production and processing outcomes at the end of the season and submit reports.
Supervise assistant extension officers.
Undertake any other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Qualifications:
Applicants must have:

A degree in Agricultural Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or Crop Production from a recognized institution.
Integrity, self-motivation, and excellent interpersonal skills.
Tanzanian citizenship and be aged between 18–40 years.
Willingness to work in rural areas under minimal supervision.
No prior employment or termination from public service.
No criminal record.
Willingness to work on a contractual basis with a monthly allowance.

Experience in cashew farming is an added advantage.

2. Position: Assistant Agricultural Officer (400 Positions)

Key Responsibilities:
The responsibilities mirror those of Agricultural Officers, with additional focus on hands-on support in:

Educating farmers on good cashew farming practices.
Monitoring compliance with farming regulations.
Assisting in the supervision of input distribution and usage.
Establishing and managing demonstration plots.
Collecting and updating data related to farmers and cashew processing activities.

Qualifications:
Applicants must have:

A diploma in Agricultural Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, or Crop Production from a recognized institution.
Tanzanian citizenship and be aged between 18–35 years.
Willingness to work in rural areas under minimal supervision.
No prior employment or termination from public service.
No criminal record.

Experience in cashew farming is an added advantage.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit:

Copies of their birth certificate, NIDA, secondary school certificates, and diplomas/degrees from recognized institutions.
Two recent passport-size photographs.
A curriculum vitae (CV) including complete contact details and references from three reputable individuals.

Submission:
Applications should be sent to the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sokoine University of Agriculture, via email at [email protected] with a copy to [email protected]. While email submissions are encouraged, applications can also be delivered in person to the mentioned offices.

Application Deadline:
Applications must be submitted by December 2, 2024.

For inquiries, contact: +255760485718