Agronomist

About FINCA Afghanistan

Job Summary

FINCA Afghanistan is seeking Agronomist for strengthening its agricultural credit strategy in the field. The Agronomist will be deployed in FINCA rural branches to promote access to finance and increase outreach of agriculture and livestock activities; provide technical assistance to existing and potential agricultural clients; and support FINCA branch staff in the delivery of agriculture credit and related services to their client base. Areas of focus include technical advisory support to farmers and agribusinesses; product awareness; policy and procedure modification; training and capacity building of staff in agriculture credit from a microfinance perspective. The position is contractual for the period of the contract.

Duties & Responsibilities

Provide theoretical and practical training on the use of new technology, improved seeds, right inputs, and any other activities that reduce cost and/or increase profits

Assist management develop tools and strategies to mitigate agriculture lending risks, taking into account client feedback on loan product features

Review agriculture lending processes and procedures, provide recommendations for improvement.

Support Branch Managers and Deputy Branch Managers in assessing disbursement risk

Assist Credit Officers in evaluating clients’ credit worthiness and developing loan schedules (based on crop calendars)

Increase the customer base through revising policies, procedures and modification of existing products to meet the needs of the customers

Identify opportunities to develop new or modified Ag-loan products and services, specifically for agriculture value chain actors; and

Develop tools to monitor and ensure that Agricultural borrowers utilize loans for the right purpose.

Develop trainings modules for agronomists and conduct trainings along with the training department

Provide technical assistance in the field to agronomists

Job Requirements

University degree in Agriculture is required.

Basic knowledge and understanding of best practices and techniques in crop, livestock and horticulture production

Additional qualification(s) in business management, accounting or finance will be favorably considered.

Minimum five years’ experience in microfinance, with exposure to agricultural and/or rural lending preferred.

Experience in developing and/or marketing microfinance lending products, particularly for women and/or for the agriculture sector.

USAID or other donor experience preferred.

Fluency in Dari / Pashto required. Conversant in written and spoken English.

Submission Guideline

All interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV along with application letter also please mention the position title and Vacancy number clearly in the subject line of your email (FA-KBL-HQ-129 Agronomist), otherwise your CV will not be considered for mentioned position.

Functional Area

Agriculture

Countries

Submission Email

hr@fincaaf.org

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