Position: Senior Horticulture Specialist – MCA Lesotho HTGSD
Opportunity Type: Full-Time Job
Location: Maseru, Lesotho
About the Organization:
Connexus Corporation is an international development consulting firm that provides consulting services in the areas of agriculture, finance, and enterprise development. Connexus’ mission is to provide high quality global consulting services to transform international development and build local capacity. Connexus is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or gender identity.
Position Description
Connexus is seeking a Senior Horticulture Specialist for the anticipated MCA Lesotho Horticulture Training, Gender, and Social Development (HTGSD) opportunity. The core objective of this initiative is to design and implement training and capacity building activities for smallholder farmers and emerging agribusinesses across the horticultural value chain, with a particular focus on the inclusion of women and youth. Falling under the Market-Driven Irrigated Horticulture (MDIH) Project, HTGSD seeks to improve the social, institutional, and business enabling environment for commercial horticulture production and to optimize the utilization of irrigation infrastructure investments.
As the Senior Horticulture Specialist, you will be tasked with providing technical leadership to tailor capacity building activities to the challenges and opportunities of horticulture production in Lesotho.
The position will be based in Lesotho This position is contingent upon project award and approval by MCA Lesotho.
Tasks and Responsibilities
- Provide subject matter and local smallholder knowledge expertise in the horticultural production and trade including knowledge of key stakeholders in best practices for commercial horticultural production, producing according to commercial standards, use of improved horticultural techniques, crop treatments, regenerative agriculture, climate sensitive strategies, efficient irrigation and water management, food safety, and improved post-harvest handling, logistics and storage techniques as well as crop cleaning, sorting, grading practices.
- Help smallholder groups work effectively with the private sector to improve production and trade of horticultural produce.
- Identify and analyze opportunities for the capacity development and integration of smallholder producers in Lesotho, especially women and youth, into the various links in the horticulture value chain.
- With the private sector, assist in the implementation of key capacity building approaches including demonstration farms, experimental plots, and training on best practices for horticulture production.
- Identify challenges of horticulture production in Lesotho and leverage opportunities to support transition from subsistence to commercial-based production.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in horticulture and post-harvest handling is required.
- 10 years of experience in commercial agricultural project management, in low or lower-middle income countries, with at least five years of experience in commercial irrigated horticulture.
- 5 years of experience in the horticulture field, including training and capacity building for emerging commercial farmers and work with the private sector.
- Experience in at least 2 projects involving nursery management and protected agriculture is desirable.
- At least five years of experience conducting modern agricultural research in an agricultural development context.
- Legally authorized to work in Lesotho.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills in English and Sesotho.
Deadline: January 31, 2024
How to Apply
Interested candidates can send their resume and cover letter to [email protected] with “Senior Horticulture Specialist – HTGSD” in the subject line. No phone calls please.