Standards and Packhouse Coordinator

Job Description

Job Category: Programs
Requisition Number: STAND003041
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Position Overview

TechnoServe Zimbabwe has integrated farmers into the fresh produce export markets by providing them with technical assistance and linking them with exporters. Two main pillars for the next phase are capacitating the farmer groups to comply with market standards as well as strengthening a Trust to operate a new Packhouse which is under construction. TechnoServe is developing innovative approaches and building relationships with both corporate and public partners to enable more smallholder horticultural households to achieve livelihood security.

The position is conditional on TechnoServe securing funding to implement the program.

The Standards and Packhouse coordinator will build the capacity of the farmer groups to comply with Good Agricultural Practice requirements, with GLOBALGAP certification being the minimum; as well as strengthening the Packhouse operations team to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices, with BRC certification being the minimum requirement. The role will also strengthen the capacity of both the farming and packing operations to comply with ethical standards as well as setting a platform for Fairtrade certification, based on market requirements. Reporting to the Program Manager, the role will train Farmer Trainers, government Agricultural Extension Officers, lead farmers as well as private sector actors to comply with market standards. The position should result in the following milestones being achieved:

• GLOBALGAP and SMETA certifications for the farmer groups.
• BRC certification for the Packhouse
• Fairtrade certification, conditional on market demand

Primary Functions and Responsibilities

Build the capacity of Takura to comply with market requirements

• Organise farmers and farmer groups to comply with GLOBALGAP and SMETA requirements, working in liaison with government Agricultural Extension Officers, Management Committees, Farmer Trainers and Agronomy Coordinators.
• Support the setting up of a Packhouse management team. Train the team to comply with Food Safety standards, including BRC.
• Develop Quality Management Systems for farm production as well as Packhouse processing, in compliance with GLOBALGAP, BRC, SMETA and Fairtrade standards.
• Conduct quality internal audits for the above standards, being a coach and mentor to Farmer Trainers and Agricultural Extension Officers.
• Spearhead the certification process in liaison with the Agronomy Coordinators

Packhouse Management

• Develop systems to manage the Packhouse operational activities including infrastructure, packaging, people and budgets. Capacitate the Packhouse team to implement the system.
• Mentor a team of core Packhouse personnel to manage short and medium term Packhouse activities.
• Communicate with different exporters to ensure their quality and volume requirements are met.
• Implement a traceability system at the Packhouse.
• Assist the Administrator to manage farmer payments through a good volume, quality and packout tracking system.
• Establish a communication system with all the farmers, capacitating the Packhouse core personnel to implement the system.
• Produce daily, weekly, monthly and annual productivity reports as is necessary in a Packhouse set up.
• Manage SHEQ systems. Capacitate the Packhouse team to implement the system.

Reporting

• Facilitate the conducting of scheduled business meetings between different stakeholders
• Develop tools including business KPI reporting spreadsheets to be used during the meetings
• Provide analytical reporting to be integrated into TechnoServe internal and donor reports.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Degree in Food Sciences, Natural Sciences or Agriculture with three years’ professional experience in GAP certifications
• A GLOBALGAP registered trainer
• Food Safety and Quality experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• An understanding of GLOBALGAP, SMETA, BRC, Food Safety, HACCP, Fairtrade and organic standards.
• Export horticulture value chain exposure
• Coaching and mentoring skills
• An analytical mind: you know how to break a problem into easily understandable pieces of information. You use your intuition and logic to guide your research and find solutions.
• Ability to tell stories with data, educate effectively, and instil confidence, motivating stakeholders to act on recommendations
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.

Education

• Bachelors or better in Agricultural Science or related field.

Experience

• 3 years:
• Degree in Food Sciences, Natural Sciences or Agriculture with three years’ professional experience in GAP certifications
• A GLOBALGAP registered trainer
• Food Safety and Quality experience