We are seeking to fill one position to build our practical, technical agriculture work. The position requires significant experience in farm management, technical aspects of organic agriculture/ livestock/ horticulture, and the demonstrated ability to lead VBF’s overall agriculture strategy and the BELT farmer’s program. 

The position requires a high degree of sensitivity to caste, gender, and economic class, and the ability to develop and implement plans in accordance with VBF’s objectives. Being able to train local farmers and manage farm operations is essential.

Farm Operations and Management Coordination

• Marketing and linkage development of the organic farm 
• Day-to-day organic farm production with the field team 
• Supervise the packaging and shipment of farm produce
• Design and implement plans to continuously improve safety, quality, delivery, productivity, and cost
• Coordinate with field team to develop a detailed crop calendar and production plan 
• Coordinate with the marketing team to develop a marketing plan 
• Ensures that the farm produce are in the right market
• Seed ordering and material acquisition
• Planning and implementation of weekly planting schedule
• Plan weekly harvest schedule, harvest, market and deliver
• Assist with marketing and outreach efforts of Vertical Farm
• Integration of farm with other programs
• Participate in planning for long-term farm development
• Possessing technical skills such as cutting and grafting techniques, transplanting, creating polyhouses, and other critical skills with diverse audiences
• Ability to process organic certification for the farm 
• Maintain planting, production and harvest records in MS Word, Excel or Google

BELT farmer’s program Coordination

• Development of the BELT farmer program 
• Budget management 
• Monthly coordination with the trainers and farmers to implement 

Qualifications/Experience 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
• Ability to explain sustainable agriculture practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to manage local staff
• Ability to take direction and feedback from senior staff and ensure/monitor that activities are in line with outlined project goals
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• High degree of personal integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for the organic, sustainable farming
• Energetic, hard-working, and team player able to take direction and work in complex teams to achieve difficult policy objectives
• 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, outdoor classroom, and office including hard repetitive physical work
• Some evening or special event hours may be required
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in a high-stress environment with deadlines 

Timing: Applications must be received by Friday, June 1, 2019. The positions will be filled by July 1, 2019 and will be for an initial three-month trial term. Upon successful completion of the trial, the contract will be extended. 

Remuneration: Please send your expected salary

Duty Station: Yangshila, Dharan and Kathmandu