Agronomist - Tasdeer

Job Title: Agronomist
Sector: Governance and Economic Reform
Position Type: Short-Term Consultancy
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-Term Contract for up to 90 working days over a maximum period of six months
Position Location: Gaza, Palestine with travel to the field required.
Reporting Lines and Managerial Responsibilities: This role reports to Tasdeer Gaza Lead and Workstream 3 Lead

The Project: FCDO Trade Facilitation and Customs Support (Tasdeer)

Tasdeer is a Trade Facilitation and Customs Support programme (2020-2025; £15m) funded by UK aid from the British Government and implemented by a consortium led by Cowater International.

Our objective is to improve the Palestinian private sector’s competitiveness and Palestinian Authority (PA) capacity in trade, customs and import policy regulation and administration. We aim to increase sustainable private sector-led economic growth and job creation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, supporting the PA’s fiscal sustainability while promoting equitable access to the benefits of increased trade and improved institutional capacity.

We are recruiting a high value crops agronomist to support a new set of agricultural activities in Gaza.

Job Purpose:

As the high value crops Agronomist, your primary responsibility will be to provide support to farmers during delivery of a new set of Tasdeer activities focusing on the cultivation and management of high-value crops in Gaza. You will play a crucial role in ensuring optimal crop productivity, quality, and profitability by implementing best practices in crop production, pest and disease management, and resource utilization. Your expertise will contribute to the sustainable and efficient growth of high-value crops, ultimately supporting the agricultural sector’s economic success in Gaza.

Background

As a result of the May 2021 hostilities on the Gaza Strip, 19 donums of greenhouses owned by 18 farmers were destroyed and became unusable for growing agricultural products. This led to significant losses of employment and income, as well as a break in the export supply chain of vegetables to the West Bank.

Tasdeer supported farmers whose greenhouses had been totally destroyed to re-build 19 donums (19,000 m2) of greenhouses, thereby enabling them to get back on their feet and resume production. This support was delivered through a targeted cost-sharing grant facility. Tasdeer provided a grant covering 95% of the re-building cost while farmers covered the remaining 5% of the cost.

All greenhouses were constructed and handed over to farmers within six months after the start of the activities, and most farmers have immediately started planting them with different traditional crops like tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants.

Tasdeer is planning to help farmers increase their income by supporting them to plant high value crops, harvest rainwater and utilise solar energy to irrigate their crops. This intervention will help improve income and employment for farmers and will reduce the cost of irrigation and conserve water, and it therefore has an overall positive impact on the water aquifer and the environment.

Objective:

Tasdeer is issuing this ToR to contract a professional agronomist to provide their expertise to high value crops farmers during the delivery of this set of activities.

Roles and Responsibilities

The agronomist is expected to deliver the following responsibilities:

Crop Management: Provide guidance on all aspects of crop management, including planting, nutrition management, irrigation, and harvesting techniques to enhance crop yield, quality, and profitability.
Pest and Disease Management: Develop and implement integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to identify, prevent, and mitigate pest and disease outbreaks, ensuring crop health and minimizing pesticide use.
Soil and Nutrient Management: Assess soil fertility and recommend appropriate fertilizers to optimize nutrient availability and utilization for high-value crops.
Training and Education: Conduct on and off job training sessions for farmers to disseminate knowledge, promote best practices, and enhance their understanding of high-value crop production.
Technical Support: Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance to farmers by addressing their queries, resolving issues, and offering solutions to meet their specific crop production challenges.
Coordination Efforts: Coordinate with the local partner staff and provide direction during the construction phase of the water trap, pump, and solar system.
Reporting: Provide Tasdeer with both regular, bi-weekly reports on progress, and ad hoc reporting as required by Tasdeer staff.
On an ad hoc basis, assist Tasdeer in the design of new activities, for example including provision of technical support, analysis, and participation in design meetings.

Duration

The assignment is expected to start as soon as possible, and to be undertaken over a maximum period of six months with 90 days Level of Effort (LoE).

Geographic coverage and duty station

The Agronomist will be based in Tasdeer’s office (Gaza) with frequent visits to the farmers and greenhouses in the field as required. Arrangements can be made to work from their own office, subject to coordination and agreement with the Tasdeer Gaza Lead. The consultant will be expected to maintain regular contact with Tasdeer and the implementing partner throughout the assignment.

Required Expertise and Competencies:

The consultant should demonstrate strong experience in delivering similar assignments within the field of high value crops agriculture. In particular, the Agronomist is expected to demonstrate the following competencies and experiences.

Bachelor's or master’s degree in Agronomy, Horticulture or a related field is required.
A minimum of 7-10 years experience in high-value crop production, preferably on a commercial scale.
Strong knowledge of crop physiology, agronomy principles, soil science, plant nutrition, and crop protection practices.
Strong knowledge of the Agri-market and connection with market wholesalers and leaders.
Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address complex crop management challenges.
Strong analytical, verbal and writing skills in English and Arabic
Ability to produce accurate and concise reports.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, no later than 4:00 pm Saturday 9th of September 2023 to hr@tasdeer.ps. We will assess applications on a rolling basis.

Candidates must submit the following to be considered:

A full CV
A cover letter (two-page limit, A4) which explains their suitability for the role.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as follows: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

hr@tasdeer.ps