Vacancy title:
General Manager

Jobs at:
Wood Foundation Africa ( TWFA )

Deadline of this Job:
Monday 31st March 2018

Duty Station:
Kigali, Rwanda

JOB DETAILS:

The Wood Foundation Africa (TWFA), an international organization with significant experience in the smallholder tea sector, is seeking a dynamic industry professional to manage the day-to-day operations of a smallholder services company working in the tea sector in Nyaruguru.
The services company will plant out 3,400 Ha of smallholder tea, as well as provide a series of agronomic services and inputs through long-term, patient finance, as well as production logistics once the tea comes into bearing. The services company is part of a broader tea venture with a highly reputable multinational tea company that will provide exclusive off take of the smallholder leaf.

Responsibilities
As General Manager of the services company, the individual will be expected to undertake a variety of responsibilities, including:

• Provide day-to-day management of all operational, finance, and administrative matters
• Oversee implementation of all field activities, including: farmer sensitization and awareness; farmer registration; land preparation; nursery development; nursery management; new planting; procurement and application of inputs; agronomic extension; plucking; collection; weighing and transport of green leaf; block management, etc.;
• Be accountable for the timely delivery of high quality green leaf to factory and oversee maintenance of transport fleet;
• Support implementation of certification programmes eg: Rainforest Alliance and ensure compliance;
• Engage with large groups of farmers and participate in farmers monthly and quarterly review meetings;
• Identify, develop and build an effective field team and manage the team according to a common vision for the smallholder development with clear performance KPIs. Train and develop all agronomists on tea plucking and agronomy, and oversee the entire field staffing complement within SCON;
• Engage with key stakeholders on the project including local government, farmers and the factory company, among others;
• Contribute in the establishment of company policies and procedures, and ensure statutory compliance and fiduciary control within all company matters;
• Participate in the development of annual workplans and budgets, and manage against these to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of results. Deliver the business targets aligned to KPIs¬volume, cost and quality;
• Identify and engage with appropriate delivery partners to ensure that implementation of tea-specific activities are undertaken in an appropriate and well-coordinated manner; and
• Engage with TWFA senior management and the Board of Directors as required.

Key qualifications
TWFA is looking for an energetic manager that will be full-time based in Nyaruguru. The individual must be able to work in a team-environment, inspire and manage a growing and dynamic staffing complement, and possess the appropriate experience and skills base in the areas of tea agronomy and field services. Preferred qualifications include:

• 10 years professional experience managing the field services component of a large-scale commercial tea operation. Smallholders experience a plus.
•  Strong practical understanding of new planting, tea agronomy, and production logistics.
•  Ability to develop, retains, and manages an effective team.
• Experience with preparation and development of commercial tea budgets, workplans, and forward plans, and ability to manage for results based upon key performance indicators.
• Familiarity with Farmer Field Schools, Rainforest Alliance, hillside agriculture, and soil conservation practices.
• Ability to work in rural settings and communicate effectively across cultural divides.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda preferred.
• Sound understanding of corporate governance principles.
•  Undergraduate Degree in agriculture, agronomy, agribusiness, or agricultural science related field.

Job application procedure
Applicants are required to submit their CV with contact information for at least two references as well as a covering letter demonstrating how they meet the required experience and capabilities to solange.uwineza@scon.co.rw  with the subject line “SCON – General Manager”. The deadline for receiving applications is Monday 31st March 2018. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.