Duty Station: Eastern Nepal (Primarily Morang / Dharan,with some travel to Kathmandu)
Timing: Applications must be received by August 31, 2019. The position will be for an initial three-month trial term. Upon successful completion of the trial, the contract will be extended. 
Renumeration: Starting salary: 30,000 – 40,000 plus benefits 

Job Description:

We are seeking to fill this position as soon as possible to help coordinate and plan our practical and technical agriculture work on the ground in eastern Nepal. The position requires at least 5 years of experience in farm management, the technical aspects of bio-intensive farming, organic agriculture,  horticulture, and permaculture, and the demonstrated ability to lead the VBF’s overall agriculture strategy. The incumbent must be able to coordinate the activities in the field with the sales and marketing team in Kathmandu.  As part of this role, the ecological agriculture and sustainable livelihoods coordinator will coordinate operations of the BELT farmer’s program which engages local farmers in training related to bio-intensive farming, mitigation of human-wildlife conflict, and principles of permaculture, agro-forestry and other ecologically sensitive food production systems. 

The position requires a passion for agro-forestry and a high degree of sensitivity to biodiversity and ecological approaches to agriculture, as per the Vertical Farm model and principles. The incumbent must possess sensitivity also to caste, gender, and economic class. Strong communications skills and an ability to work with farmers on the ground is essential.  While reporting and written work will be required, this is not a full-time desk job.

Farm Operations and Management Coordination

• Establish proper systems of information flow and linkages between the farms and the sales and marketing in Kathmanduso that there is a proper system in place with checks and balances for production to reach market
• Draft overall business plan and strategy to ensure revenue flows, while eventually making the farms self-sustaining and also profitable so that the programs can start to be funded by farm revenue
• Make sure production is tied to product demand
• Communicate with field workers to monitor the day-to-day operations of the organic farms
• Communicate with the sales and marketing team in Kathmandu to give or receive updates, ensuring that production and sales are harmonized
• Supervise the storage, packaging and shipment of farm produce in line with the project’s sustainability values
• Provide the sales and marketing team with regularly updated production forecasts so they can plan their client base and sales approach accordingly
• File budget requests for seeds and materials based on direct observation and consultation with farm managers and staff
• Develop weekly, monthly and annual plans
• Assist with marketing and outreach efforts of Vertical Farm
• Possess technical skills such as cutting and grafting techniques, transplanting, creating poly-houses, nursery design and other skills, and able to give trainings
• Able to process organic certification for the farms
• Maintain planting, production and harvest records in MS Word, Excel or Google

BELT Farmer’s Program Coordination:

• Development of the BELT farmer program  as a full-fledged program where experts and trainers are utilized to spread 
• Design budget and plan for the program
• Monthly coordination with the trainers and farmers to help organize training symposiums

Qualification, Experience & Attributes Desired

• Minimum: Masters in Agriculture, Botany, or related field with 5 years’ experience OR 10+ years of substantial relevant experience in fully managing an organic farm
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in successfully managing all operations of a working organic farm including farm design, livestock and compost systems, fruit and vegetable farming, seasonal staple crops farming, and creating market linkages
• Extensive knowledge of local varieties and their properties
• Expertise in sustainable compost systems, including vermicompost, and humane livestock rearing
• Strong expertise in fruit and vegetable farming and growing crops from seed
• Strong in creating forecasts of production and developing strategies linked to farmers markets and home delivery in Kathmandu
• Skilled in value chain design and implementation to ensure quality and hygiene of products
• Ability to take direction and feedback from senior staff and ensure/monitor that activities are in line with outlined project goals
• Energetic, hard-working, and team player who thinks ahead is goal oriented
• Permaculture Design Course certification a plus. Organic agriculture training coursework required
• Women and indigenous minorities highly encouraged to apply
• Able to work in the field, outdoors carrying out repetitive physical work a must (good physical fitness required)
• Ability to communicate effectively with farmers
• Experienced in farm management in different climatic zones of Nepal