International Post-Harvest Specialist

Vacancy Announcement

International Post-Harvest Specialist (LURAS II)

SNV Laos seeks an International Post-Harvest Specialist (1 position).

1. Background

The Lao Uplands Rural Advisory Services (LURAS) project is a program of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Government of Laos, implemented by Helvetas in partnership with the Department of Technical Extension and Agro-Processing (DTEAP). The project works on the Northern Uplands on Laos.

SNV implements activities towards achieving Outcome 2: Market systems in rural areas that are fair and profitable. The activities should have the following outputs:

2.2 Rural enterprises are adding greater value to farm products, including improvements in processing, certification and contracting; 2.3 A greater number of decent jobs exist in agribusiness, including promoting a code of conduct for companies, and awareness raising among farm labourers.

At present, SNV focuses on:

Identifying, selecting and introducing promising approaches, practices, tools and technologies for post-harvest management and food processing in target areas in a number of selected commodities, including rice, maize, coffee and tea.

2. Description of responsibilities

SNV is looking for a short term International Consultant who will in close cooperation with the National Agricultural Advisor:

Conduct an appraisal of the opportunities and the conditions for the introduction of mechanisation and other improved post-harvest technologies (storage, processing) at household level with the highest potential for income generation and job creation in target communities.
Design specific interventions to capitalise on opportunities identified for rural employment through improvements in supply chains or mechanisation, post-harvest management and processing.

Successful completion of the appraisal may lead to a follow-up assignment (intermittent, 6-8 months between May 2020 and November 2021) for the implementation of the identified project activities aiming at creating in cooperation with both government and private sector partners an ecosystem related to post-harvest activities (input supply, introduction of agricultural machinery, maintenance and repairs, training, processing, etc.).

3. Required qualifications and experience

At least 10 years of experience working with the technical and commercial aspects of post-harvest technologies (including storage and processing);
Demonstrable experience working with post-harvest management of maize, rice, coffee and/or tea is an advantage;
Higher education degree (MSc) in agriculture, rural development or agricultural economics, preferably with some specialisation in the application of agricultural machinery and/or post-harvest management;
Excellent command of spoken and written English; knowledge of the Lao language is an advantage.

4. Timing, duration and duty stations

The Post-harvest Specialist mission will take approximately 20 days between January and March 2020 (exact dates to be determined in consultation). The assignment may be extended upon the successful completion of the current project planning but is subject to approval by the contract partner Helvetas. The mission will involve travel to Xiengkhouang (and potentially Oudomxay or Houaphan) province.

5. How to Apply

Interested consultants should send their CV to: Beunh Sayaphimphone, HR manager SNV office, Vientiane capital, Lao PDR or email to bsayaphimphone@snv.org. Any questions can be sent to Emmanuel Santoyo Rio at esantoyorio@snv.org

The deadline for application is 31 December 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Tags: SNV