Hail & Cotton (Malawi) Limited
HAIL & COTTON (Malawi) LIMITED, a fully owned subsidiary of HAIL & COTTON International B.V. based in Netherlands, a company that supplies premium leaf tobacco and value-added services to manufacturers
of tobacco products worldwide, is urgently looking for qualified candidates to fill the position of Field Technician.
The main purpose of the position
This is a strategic position that requires agility, focus, entrepreneurship drive, full commitment and proactiveness of an individual to drive the transformative business agenda of Hail & Cotton (Malawi) Limited and manage business risks i.e., volume, financial exposure, and reputational risks.
Reporting directly to the Agronomy Production Manager, the Field Technician shall ensure the efficient delivery of all activities/programs related to Sustainable Tobacco Production (STP), Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and any other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time. Full understanding of the Integrated Production System (IPS) model as a tool to address all ESG challenges and that Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) implementation is key in achieving farmers continuous improvement in Yields, Crop Integrity, Quality Index, Crop Throw and Net Returns. Ability to guide and motivate tobacco farmers to adhere to ESG protocols. Contribute to the implementation and execution of STP Initiatives and Best Practices to ensure productivity and efficiencies are achieved at farmer level.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ROLES
- Responsible for sensitization, identification, registering, and provision of technical and administrative support to the IPS Contracted growers to produce a compliant tobacco crop from seedbeds to the market.
- Ensuring full loan and tobacco recoveries for their designated scheme.
- Supervision of Farmers
- Conducting routine supervision visits to IPS contracted growers in collaboration with zone/scheme leaders.
- Documenting Best Practices and ESG performance and provide real-time solution in liaison with Agronomy Production Manager.
- Establishing robust and resilient validation criteria that farmers have sufficient curing facilities, land availability and loan recovery history prior to contracting to Hail & Cotton (Malawi) Limited.
- Field verification to ensure that the inputs provided match the size of the field and are delivered timely thereafter.
- Monitoring that the IPS growers are practicing and observing all ESG guidelines as provided by the company to ensure Productivity and Sustainability.
- Provide real-time technical and administrative support to the farmers through increased grower contact
- Ensure that all GAP, ESG initiatives/practices are followed by all contracted growers to achieve STP through routine or scheduled meeting or interactions.
- Good Agricultural Practices extension on seedbeds, soil preparation, fertilization, field, topping, harvesting, and curing.
- Data Collection and Management
- Responsible for building farmers profile and capturing of crop data throughout the crop production cycle and updating in the Management Information System as appropriate.
- Ensuring that the collected data is correct, accurate, complete and is timely done with high confidence level as an information source upon which company can make informed decisions.
- Studying the survey reports and responding accordingly to mitigate all adverse impacts identified.
- General Scheme Administration.
- Facilitate the establishment and development of cohesive, strong, reliable grower clubs in a village concept set-up.
- Building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders in the scheme to promote Hail & Cotton (Malawi) Limited’s image and integrity.
- Identifying opportunities, risks/challenges that will impact on the company and suggest solutions.
- Ensuring that registered growers have been trained and oriented on the loan management and requirements and that they are allocated to an appropriate bank with a local network.
- Ensure that contracted IPS growers have a valid Tobacco Commission registration number.
- Ensure that all tools for the work are in place to promote efficiency.
- Ensuring that all crop production inputs to the contracted IPS farmers and other corresponding services are efficiently and timely delivered.
- Ensuring and facilitating deposit of loan collateral with appropriate banks and submitting proof of the same to the Agronomy Production Manager.
- Raising input requisition according to the registered hectarage and timing of the operation
- Coordinating, collecting and distribution of farm inputs to the clubs/grower as per requisition.
- Training smallholder farmers with realistic skill sets so that they are able to adjust and implement strategies based on prevailing local conditions on Seedbed Management, Land/Field Management, Planting, Pests & Disease Control, Growing, Reaping & Curing and Post-Harvest Handling and Marketing.
- In liaison with Management, propose training needs for farmers based on gaps identifies to foster the culture of growing tobacco as business.
- Coordinate and liaise with the Agronomy Production Manager on transport arrangement to collect tobacco ready for the market.
- Implementation of customer programs and Social Responsibility Programs as advised by management.
- Ensuring the full recovery of loan and tobacco produced by all farmers in the scheme.
- Attending to growers administrative and technical queries from time to time.
- Facilitate periodic GAP assessments (audits) for the assigned production area according to plan, provide guidance and follow-up to ensure corrective actions are appropriate and completed.
- Loan and Tobacco Recoveries
- Develop a loan and tobacco recovery strategy in liaison with the Agronomy Production Manager and zone/scheme leadership.
- Conduct real-time tobacco estimates which are accurate to guide/inform the recovery plan and establishment of a resilient transport and marketing models to safeguard the crop volume and loan recovery.
- Maintenance of relationships with farmers and societies as a representative of Hail & Cotton (Malawi) Limited from time to time.
- Ensuring that all company materials and assets are prudently and efficiently used and taken care of.
- Ensuring that all incidences which could impact the business – positive or negative are properly recorded and timely communicated.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- A minimum of Diploma in Agriculture from a recognized university or college.
- Knowledge and experience in Agriculture Extension, Tobacco Production and Marketing.
- Knowledge and Experience in Agriculture Labour Practices (ALP) and GAP.
- Proficiency in MS Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and other Application Packages.
- Willingness to provide extension services to the contracted farmers focusing on tobacco production and other companion crops with transformative attitude towards the communities in which one operates.
- Dynamic self-starter with excellent communication, written and oral and interpersonal skills able to interact with farmers workers, managers, smallholder farmers and rural communities.
- Ability to anticipate problems and the agility to address them.
- Digitally and technologically savvy and the ability to use smartphones, e-mail, and Internet.
- Be of sober habits and willing to work at odd hours or on weekends where required.
- Farmer centric with a passion for improving farmer livelihoods, and contractual obligations.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle with valid drivers’ license will be an added advantage.
Remuneration
An attractive package will be offered to the successful candidates.
Method Of Application
Applications with a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV), copies of certificates, and names and contact details of three traceable and reputable referees should reach the undersigned no later than Thursday, 28th March 2024.
The Human Resources Manager
HAIL & COTTON (Malawi) LIMITED
P.O. Box 40214
Kanengo
LILONGWE 4
Email: [email protected]
Please clearly mark on the envelope/email ‘Field Technician’
HAIL & COTTON is an equal opportunity employer, however, only short-listed applicants who meet the above specifications will be contacted with regard to interviews.