Jobs

Farmer Support Contractor

Role Overview

Africa Digital Growth is seeking a hands-on Farmer Support Contractor to join our SafeTrace program in iLembe District. You will partner directly with smallholder farmers to drive improved productivity, introduce integrated pest management (IPM) and organic alternatives, and ensure end-to-end product traceability from farm to stall.

What you get

  • Farmer Relationship Management
    • Build and maintain in-person relationships with an assigned cohort of up to 32 smallholder farmers.
    • Source and onboard additional farmers who meet our acreage and traceability requirements.
  • Agricultural Advisory & Training
    • Deliver weekly, practical guidance prepared by Headquarters on best agronomic practices, IPM techniques, and organic input alternatives.
    • Explain, demonstrate, and assist farmers in implementing these practices on their plots.
  • Traceability Implementation
    • Register each farm in the SafeTrace system; assign, affix, and verify unique QR-farm identifiers.
    • Ensure accurate logging of all agro-inputs (seed, fertilizer, pesticide) using our standardized templates.
  • Residue Sampling Coordination
    • Collect scheduled crop or milk samples, hand them off to partner laboratories, and track test results in our central dashboard.
  • Stall Coordination & Quality Control
    • Verify that farmers’ produce is correctly labeled and packaged daily—complete with QR codes—before collection by couriers or retail agents.
    • Liaise with stall managers to troubleshoot missing or mismatched labels and escalate supply-chain issues.
  • Reporting & Feedback Loops
    • Submit daily Start-of-Day and End-of-Day activity reports via our virtual platform.
    • Provide a consolidated weekly summary every Friday, covering farmer visits, produce readiness, onboarding progress, IPM adoption, sampling compliance, and any escalations.
    • Assist in organizing “Meet Your Farmer” or live-stream events at stalls and gather basic consumer feedback.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Food Science, or related field.
  • 0–2 years’ practical experience; recent graduates are encouraged to apply. We are willing to train strong candidates with relevant degrees and demonstrable eagerness to learn on-the-job.
  • Familiarity with integrated pest management, organic alternatives, and food-safety protocols is preferred; willingness to learn and adopt IPM and traceability systems is essential.
  • Experience coordinating with laboratories, local government extension services, or NGOs is an advantage; entry-level applicants may demonstrate this through internships, field attachments, coursework, or volunteer experience.
  • Comfortable using mobile data-collection tools (smartphone apps, WhatsApp, SMS) and willing to use Excel or Google Sheets; training will be provided where needed.
  • Fluent (or proficient) in English and isiZulu; strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
  • Reliable transport or the ability to regularly travel throughout Meru County is preferred. If you do not currently own transport, please explain how you will manage travel in your application.

Compensation & Terms

  • Verification Period: First 30 days unpaid; upon satisfactory performance, compensation is retroactive.
  • Rate: 25% of the monthly support fee per farmer (USD 25 ≈ ZAR 430 per farmer/month as of Oct 2, 2025).
  • Payment: Monthly in USD via wire transfer, on or before the 5th business day.
  • Equipment: Contractor supplies own phone and transport; approved expenses reimbursed against receipts.
  • Contract Duration: Month-to-month, terminable by either party with 14 days’ written notice (7 days during verification period).

How to Apply

Send the following to evaluate6@geniusassist.us with subject line “iLembe Contractor Application – [Your Name]”:

  1. Cover letter detailing your experience with smallholder farmer engagement and traceability systems (or, for recent graduates, a short paragraph explaining your interest and willingness to complete on-the-job training).
  2. CV/Resume (max 3 pages) — include graduation date and any internships/attachments if you are an early-career candidate.
  3. Two professional references (with contact details)

Application Deadline: October 31, 2025

We look forward to welcoming a proactive, field-driven professional to help us build trust, transparency, and food-safety across our network!