POSITION TITLE: Senior Horticulture Development Manager (P6)

LOCATION:  Kathmandu, Nepal

REPORTS TO: Agriculture Productivity Director

BACKGROUND:

The USAID/Nepal-funded Nepal Knowledge Based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture in Nepal (KISAN II) project is improving food security in twenty-fiveHill and Terai districts inSudur Paschim Province, Karnali Province, Province 5 and Bagmati Province. KISAN II works to help private sector actors serve as change agents to catalyze agricultural productivity and competitive market systems, create a stronger business enabling environment, and improve business literacy skills for farming households. 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will work closely with the Agriculture Productivity Director, Regional Director,and cluster teams to identify opportunities for private sector agricultural enterprises to expand business operations and deepen their relationships with smallholder farmers. While delivering this service, s/he will be responsible for overseeing vegetable-focused technical activities and results under KISAN II’s Component 1 (Improve the Productivity of Selected Agricultural Market Systems). S/he will monitor vegetable-related activities to ensure that the project is on track to meet targets and will develop adaptive approaches as necessary. Specifically, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:

• Oversee vegetable production and post-production activities of KISAN II private-sector grantee farmer-customers and provide technical assistance to grantee extension staff. Act as technical problem solver of grant activities related to vegetable production. 
• Provide technical oversight and guidance to KISAN II and grantee field staff in developing the capacity of farmer groups in adoption of new agricultural practices and technologies, and market-responsive vegetable production planning. 
• Evaluatevegetable demonstrations conducted by private sector partners and prepare summary report on farmer acceptance on demonstrated technology for reporting to Component I team.  
• From learnings on demonstrated technology, develop plan for scale-up of successful technology/ies through private sector partners. 
• Facilitate improved relationships between market actors and grantee/farmers for marketing of fresh vegetables. 
• Conduct vegetable market assessments including the identification of market trends, production information, relationships between market actors and market-based solutions.
• Contribute to strengthening joint collaborative works between KISAN II and provincial/municipal governments as needed.
• Monitor potential disruptions agro-input supply chains and contribute to resolving issues that emerge.
• Carry out regular field visit, monitoring and supervision together with cluster team and grantee, reporting back to Component 1 team. 
• Carry out data analysis as required by MEL team.
• Assist in report preparation and annual work plan formulation.
• Perform other tasks, as assigned by supervisor.

Experience: The ideal candidate must have the following experience:

• At least 5 years of practical experience in horticulture development, especially in vegetable sub-sector in Nepal. 
• Experience implementing private sector-led extension approaches, USAID experience strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of smallholder agriculture in the Hills and Terai of Nepal.
• Experience monitoring agriculture project activities and outcomes against project targets.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written with fluency in both English and Nepali required, including demonstrated experience in writing high-quality reports/documents.
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Ability to work independently and in a multi-cultural team environment.

Other: Should be a Nepali Citizen

Disclaimer: This position is contingent upon donor approval.

• Post Graduate / Masters in related field.
• Preferably a master's degree in Horticulture.