Farm Project Manager at Human Capacity Development Consultants (HCDC)

The Farm Project Manager’s primary responsibility will be planning the farm development for maximum yield, organising farm administration, working machinery, and organising associated activities. The position will be responsible for managing the farm from strategic planning through to implementation; ecological surveys, liaising with farmers, layout of farm production process and providing agronomic advice to the management. The Farm Project Manager will also be responsible for managing key relationships.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct and coordinate activities, such as planting, irrigation, chemical application, harvesting, grading, and recordkeeping
• Demonstrate new agricultural discoveries to staff and farm communities
• Identify crop varieties with commercial potential and encourage adoption by local farmers
• Manage relationships with government officials, regulatory bodies, community leaders and farmers
• Planning finances and production to maintain farm progress against budget parameters
• Liaise with farmers on management of crop production
• Ensuring that the farm is profitable and meets projected financial targets
• Analyze market conditions to determine acreage allocations
• Arranging the maintenance and repair of farm buildings, machinery and equipment
• Maintaining and monitoring the quality of crop yield
• Ensuring that farm activities comply with government regulations
• Provide guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems, or process-related topics
• Maintaining knowledge of pests and diseases and an understanding of how they spread and how to treat them
• Record information, such as production, farm management practices, and parent stock, and prepares financial and operational reports
• Determine procedural changes in drying, grading, storage, and shipment for greater efficiency and accuracy
• Analyze soil to determine type and quantity of fertilizerer required for maximum production
• Applying health and safety standards across the farm
• Protecting the environment and maintaining biodiversity
• Prepare annual farm plan, goals and objectives
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned

REQUIREMENT

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree
• 10+ years of work experience, with at least 3 years of experience developing and executing agricultural projects
• Experience in commercial farming management will be preferable
• Farm management including irrigation management will be preferable
• Demonstrated aptitude for effective leadership of staff
• Excellent client-facing and internal communication skills

KEY SKILLS/COMPETENCIES

• Agricultural Extension Services
• Business Acumen
• Strategic Thinking
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Financial Management
• Strategic thinking and strong execution skills
• Exceptional Project Management skills
• Project Planning, Reporting & Control
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills, maturity and ability to build and lead effective teams
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word