Quality Control and Assurance Specialist at TechnoServe

Requisition Number: QUALI01513
Job Category: Programs

Primary Purpose

• The Quality Control and Assurance Specialist will work with the Project Manager and grain aggregator SMEs to provide quality control and assurance services, while ensuring that high quality food grade grains are supplied to the aggregators’ facilities and to premium markets.
• S/he will ensure that program activities meet desired quality by supporting training, monitoring and reporting. It should be understood that the tasks outlined below are the key responsibilities, but the employee is expected to perform any tasks that are necessary within the context of the evolving needs of the project.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support and or facilitate training of aggregator staff on best practices of how to sort, clean and test grains for quality;
• Support and or facilitate training of aggregators on how to trace and document grain supply;
• Train aggregators and sub-aggregators staff on how to sample and analyze grains for Aflatoxin, Fuminosin and Aluminium contamination;
• Facilitate training of trainer (ToT) for lead farmers and aggregators on improved grain drying methods, physical identification of Aflatoxin and Fuminosin contaminated grains etc;
• Support Extension Agents to ensure quality delivery of training of farmers, transporter and sub-aggregators on how to identify and mitigate contaminants
• Train aggregators on how to disseminate weather information to farmers and sub-aggregators;
• Provide or facilitate training of aggregators on business and financial management
• Ensure and support data collection and recording for performance monitoring
• Support record-keeping of farm activities, data collection of information required for monthly report; and
• Any other tasks that may be assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of Bachelor in Agriculture, Business Management and other relevant fields;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience providing similar services;
• Proper understanding of quality control and assurance;
• Ability to sample and test grains for Aflatoxin, Fumonisin and Aluminium;
• Ability to use the Mobile Assay Test Kits;
• Adequate knowledge of small holder grain production and marketing in northern Nigeria;
• Adequate knowledge of GAP and post-harvest handling of grains;
• Experience of providing ToT to similar audience;
• Experience of participation in similar donor funded project;
• Ability to actively engage with community leaders and cooperatives;
• Ability to communicate in Hausa language is mandatory;
• Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports;
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills;
• Experience with relevant software packages, including Microsoft Excel;
• Relevant QC / QA certification.