Job Opportunities~TACRI July 2012

Tanzania Coffee Research Institute Jobs

The Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI), incorporated in 2000 as a company

limited by guarantee under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 212), became legally constituted and

operational in September 2001 with the major objective of rejuvenating the Tanzania coffee industry

to sustainable prosperity, placing new emphasis on stakeholder-led, demand – driven RESEARCH

FOR DEVELOPMENT. TaCRI is in the process of implementing its second phase project under

Trade and Agriculture Support Programme (TASP II) in all coffee growing zones in Tanzania to

improve the competitiveness of smallholder coffee growers in 12 major coffee growing districts.

TaCRI provides crucial and relevant practical technological innovations and advice that will improve

coffee productivity and quality, reduce costs of production, improve profitability and livelihoods for

coffee producers, and increase competitiveness of Tanzania’s coffees.

TaCRI is now seeking to employ dynamic, committed, responsible and self-motivated persons to fill

the following exciting vacant positions.

1. Research Agronomist (1 post)

Location: TaCRI Lyamungu with responsibilities in all six TaCRI sub-stations

Reports to: Programme Manager, Appropriate coffee crop productivity & quality improvement

research programmes continue to be developed & implemented

Key responsibilities:

The Research Agronomist is responsible for Result 1.4 activities as stipulated in TASP II, particularly

addressing sub-result 1.4.5: To refine, fine-tune and package good agricultural practices for new

varieties in diverse agro-ecologies (as a core responsibility) and sub-result 1.4.8: To partner in

evaluating and packaging information on climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies for

coffee smallholders (as a shared responsibility).

Specific functions:

�� To plan, execute and monitor experiments on coffee husbandry (including pruning,

plant density and shade management).

�� To plan, execute and monitor experiments on coffee farm rehabilitation (including

replanting, stumping, side-pruning, and grafting).

�� To plan, execute and monitor activities on horizontal and vertical diversifications to

improve and stabilize incomes of smallholder coffee growers.

�� To plan, execute and monitor activities related to mitigation and adaptation to climate

change (including liaison with the TMA to ensure that weather data are properly

captured, managed and utilized for the benefit of coffee growers).

�� To plan, execute and monitor experiments on coffee ISFM, including the fertilizer

requirements of the new hybrid varieties

�� To prepare weekly, quarterly and annual reports as per sub-results

�� To prepare progressive reports for Board, TAP and AGM

�� To perform any other related duties as assigned by supervisors

Specific requirements:

�� Computer literacy

�� Familiarity with on-station and on-farm experiments

�� Design and analysis of agronomic experiments – familiarity with statistical packages (SAS &

GENSTAT).

�� Commitment to Teamwork and experience working with farmers for impact.

2

�� Ideal candidate will need to have strong understanding of agronomic and extension principles

associated with production and marketing of good quality coffee or any other perennial crops.

Qualification and Experience:

�� Academic qualification: A minimum of MSc. degree (Crop Science/Agronomy) from a

recognized university.

�� Work Experience: At least 3 years work experience in research/extension and/or

climatology/meteorology will be an added advantage.

2. Extension Agronomist (1post)

Location: TaCRI Ugano sub-station in Mbinga District, Ruvuma region

Reports to: Zonal Programme Manager – TaCRI Ugano- Sub-station

Key responsibilities:

The key function of the Extension Agronomist, as a member of TaCRI’s Result 4 Team, is to support

the rejuvenation of the coffee industry in the respective zone by promoting and disseminating

appropriate and financially viable proven technologies to farmers and associated agencies; to

facilitate two way linkages between researchers, district extension staffs and farmers by encouraging,

for instance, the use of participatory research techniques; to support the development of nurseries

producing new varieties for replanting program; to develop and deliver training courses (training of

trainers); to promote market awareness, including an appreciation of cup quality.

Specific functions:

o To support the development of the coffee industry by:

�� Disseminating proven technologies to district extension staff, farmers and estates through the

provision of training courses for sustainable and profitable coffee production

�� Identifying training needs and support TaCRI’s training centre as income generating centre

�� Promoting relevant and appropriate extension messages for growing coffee as business

�� Supporting the central research programme by facilitating on-farm and on-station research

�� Supporting the development and up-grading of respective district, ward, farmer groups,

estates and other stakeholders’ clonal coffee nurseries

�� Promoting market awareness including an appreciation of cup quality

�� To test viable business models to produce coffee, i.e, horizontal/vertical diversification

�� Monitoring the implementation of Result 4 activities in the respective zone

Specific requirements:

�� Commitment to Teamwork and experience in working with farmers

�� Application of extension skills to disseminate proven research technologies to farmers

�� Computer literacy

�� Management of research experiments

Qualification and Experience:

�� Academic qualification: At least BSc in Agriculture/Agronomy/Horticulture with proven

records of achievement. Candidates must be computer literate with outstanding

communication skills.

�� Work Experience: Preferred candidates should have a minimum of THREE years work

experience with relevance in extension and/or agricultural research activities. Outstanding

candidates fresh from college will also be considered

3. Field officers (2 posts)

Location: TaCRI Mwayaya Sub-station in Kigoma region & Lyamungu Sub-Station, Hai

district

Reports to: Zonal Programme Manager – TaCRI Mwayaya Sub-station/Programme Manager

Result 4, TaCRI Lyamungu.

Key responsibilities:

The key function of Field officer is to support the rejuvenation of the coffee industry in respective

zones by promoting and disseminating appropriate and financially viable proven technologies to

farmers and associated agencies; to facilitate two way linkages between researchers, district

extension staffs and farmers by encouraging, for instance, the use of participatory research

techniques; to support the development of nurseries producing new varieties for replanting program;

to develop and deliver training courses (training of trainers) and to promote market awareness,

including an appreciation of cup quality.

Specific functions:

o To support the development of the coffee industry by:

�� Disseminating proven technologies to farmers through the provision of training courses for

sustainable and profitable coffee production

�� Identifying training needs and support TaCRI’s training centre as income generating centre

�� Promoting relevant and appropriate extension messages for growing coffee as business

�� Participating in agricultural shows and other related events

�� Supporting the development and up-grading of respective district, ward, farmer groups,

estates and other stakeholders’ clonal coffee nurseries

�� Organizing farmers exchange visits, training courses and field days

�� Promoting market awareness including an appreciation of cup quality

�� Carrying out field work outside his or her working duty station

Specific requirements:

�� Experience in working with farmers

�� Use of proper extension skills to disseminate coffee research technologies to growers

�� Care and data collection from experimental plots

Qualification and Experience:

�� Academic qualification: At least a Diploma in Agriculture/Horticulture/Agronomy with

proven records of achievement. Computer literate with good reporting skills.

�� Work Experience: Should have a minimum of 2 years work experience with relevance in

extension and/or agricultural research activities. Experience with the private sector hands on

participatory approach and especially working with coffee farmer groups/ in coffee industry

will be an added advantage.

4. Liquorer/Cupper (1post) – RE ADVERTIZED

Location: TaCRI Lyamungu

Reports to: Programme Manager, Appropriate crop improvement research programmes continue

to be implemented

Key responsibilities:

The key functions of the Liquorer/cupper, as a member of TaCRI Team are:

• To manage/operate TaCRI’s coffee liquoring laboratory.

• To lead TaCRI’s advisory programme for coffee quality, certification and verification.

Specific functions:

�� To evaluate beverage quality of breeding samples in pipeline for official release

�� To conduct advisory work on coffee quality management, tasting and grading

�� To give on-farm advice to cooperatives unions, primary societies, farmer groups and other

stakeholders on proper coffee husbandry and processing so as to improve coffee quality

�� To plan, conduct and evaluate TaCRI’s training programmes for quality, certification and

verification

�� To advise management on issues related to coffee farming and marketing with emphasis on

quality and standards

�� To compile regular reports on aspects of coffee quality and standards for use by stakeholders

�� To test and promote viable primary processing technologies

Specific requirements:

�� Computer literacy

�� Commitment to Teamwork and experience working with farmer for impact

�� Ideal candidate will need to have strong understanding of beverage evaluation and extension

principles associated with production and marketing of good quality coffee or any other

perennial crops.

Qualification and Experience:

�� Academic qualification: At least a Certificate/Diploma in coffee beverage quality

evaluation. Applicant with BSc in Food Science will have an added advantage. Candidates

must be computer literate with outstanding communication skills.

�� Work Experience: Should have a minimum of THREE years work experience with

relevance in liquoring. Ability to work with farmers, coffee exporters, roasters and other

stakeholders and advise them on coffee quality.

Remuneration: TaCRI is an equal opportunity employer and offers attractive and competitive

remuneration.

Core competency:

Change acceptance

Adapts readily to change and establishes organisational processes that fosters responsiveness,

readiness to change and work under diverse conditions

Customer focus

Understanding and meeting the needs of internal and external customers; strong demand-led, market

oriented, and participatory process of technology development and dissemination.

Team orientation

Shows commitment to the teamwork and finds the best solutions by working positively and

cooperatively with others, good leadership, high standards of performance, a sense of urgency, and

mutual respect and integrity.

Mode of application:

�� An application letter in your own handwriting or typed

�� Fully typed Curriculum vitae

�� Certified copies of relevant certificates

�� Full postal address including telephone contact details and e-mail address if any

�� Three contactable references

Deadline of application:

All applications must reach the Chief Executive Director through the address below (or by email:

info@tacri.org ) by 31 July 2012.

Chief Executive Director,

Tanzania Coffee Research Institute (TaCRI),

P.O. Box 3004,

Moshi.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.