Job Title: Agronomist/Coffee Farming Consultant
Location: Taiz
Reporting to: Reports to the Field Coordinator and to the FSL Manager in Aden.
Contract Type: Full Time

BACKGROUND

Dorcas Aid International is a global, humanitarian, non-profit organization that works with people affected by poverty, exclusion, or crisis in three regions around the world: the Middle East, Africa, and Eastern Europe. In all the three regions, we are locally present and work together with our partners to implement programmes designed to support people before, during and after crisis.
 Dorcas Aid International Yemen was successfully registered as an NGO in the South of Yemen in 2021, with offices located in Aden, Aldhalee & Taiz governorates. Currently Dorcas is implementing projects   in the FSL/Cash, DRR, WASH, Protection and Health mainly in Aden, Aldhalee and Taiz Governorates

JOB SUMMARY

Objectives:

Agronomist/Coffee Farm Consultant (s): she/he would provide a range of services to coffee farmers including advising on best farming practices, providing solutions to problems related to coffee production, and assisting with the overall growth and development of the farm(s).
This role involves field work and will require travel to various coffee farms.
He/she guarantees the proper execution and the quality of the implemented program and, if applicable, suggests adjustments or developments to ensure its relevance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Evaluating and analysing the existing practices and processes on the coffee farms.
• Advising farmers on the best practices to improve coffee production, including introducing intercropping new technologies and farming methods.
• Assisting in developing and implementing strategic plans to increase productivity and profitability.
• Advising on sustainability and environmental impacts, including the use of organic farming methods and water conservation techniques.
• Helping farmers understand and comply with local and international coffee standards and regulations.
• Providing training and education to farm owners and workers on modern farming techniques and equipment’s.
• Identifying and managing pests and diseases that may affect coffee crops.
• Assisting the farmers' association in sourcing and negotiating with suppliers and buyers.
• Conducting ongoing research to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in the coffee industry in country and globally.
• Contribute to organize and facilitate assessments & evaluation.
• Contribute to define DAI’s local strategy and contribute to the annual programming by proposing new activities. 
• Participate in proposal writing in his/her zone as per request of line and technical manager.
• Implement activities in compliance with the annual operational strategy, DAI’s technical requirements and donors’ requirements.
• Evaluate the relevance of the activities carried out, as well as the effectiveness of the interventions and their appropriateness with respect to contextual developments and the populations’ needs.
• Ensure that program objectives meet sustainability requirements and, if required, compliance with established norms and standards.

Responsibilities

• Assess coffee farms and identify areas for improvement.
• Advise clients on sustainable farming practices.
• Provide recommendations on coffee variety selection based on local conditions.
• Guide farmers on disease control measures and pest management.
• Assist with quality control and post-harvest processing.
• Conduct farmer trainings and workshops.
• Prepare reports on farmers association status and improvements.
• Stay up-to-date with latest developments in coffee farming techniques and technologies.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Professional competencies 

The following skills, knowledge and experience are required for effective performance by the job holder: 

Generic professional competencies for this position: 

• University degree in Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science/Forestry, Development Studies or any other related field. 
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the management of humanitarian and early recovery programs.
• Extensive knowledge of coffee plantation management and coffee quality standards to guide the farmers and make the farms more productive.
• Excellent problem-solving skills to analyse and resolve issues related to plant health, soil fertility, and pest management.
• Ability to develop and implement sustainable farming practices and strategies to increase coffee yield and improve the quality of coffee beans.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively interact with farmers, staff, and stakeholders, explain complex concepts in simple terms and foster strong working relationships.
• Experience in project management and planning to ensure successful execution of farm improvement plans and timely completion of tasks.
• Understanding of the coffee market trends, pricing, and trade regulations to provide accurate advice to farmers.
• Physical abilities to visit and inspect coffee farms regularly, and work in various weather conditions.
• A keen eye for detail to inspect crops for diseases and pests, assess soil conditions, and monitor farming practices.