Project specialist job opportunities|Tanzania
Research and Innovations
LOCATION
Tanzania
LOCATION TYPE
Field
CAREER LEVEL
Field and Support Professionals
OPEN TO
National applicants only
TANZANIA
Currently serving over 60,000 farm families, Once Acre Fund has continued to expand their operations throughout Tanzania since opening in 2013.
Job Description
The Project Specialist will lead the design of the department’s impact trials, managing a team of 15-20 Trial Officers, Managers, and Coordinators. These trials are often conducted in collaboration with farmers in their fields across all regions of One Acre Fund operation, currently encompassing the Southern Highlands and Arusha/Meru. This role will also involve analysis of all impact trial data and finalizing the impact models for each individual product in consideration. This is highly influential in deciding what is offered to 50,000 smallholder farmers through One Acre Fund loans and trainings.
The position requires at least 20% time observing and supervising field activities/farmers with the remaining time spent analyzing results, planning, calendaring, coordinating with other departments, creating materials, and preparing reports or recommendations. This position will also be responsible for the professional development of staff in a growing team. The selected candidate will work with leadership to prepare and plan trials, conduct targeted field follow up, and provide actionable recommendations based on analysis to drive organizational decision-making and product offerings.
This role will require the ability to manage many priorities at once and rapid progress on deliverables to meet deadlines.
Duties and Responsibilities
Phase 2 Impact Trial Lead: Design and manage “Phase 2” impact trial design, planning, supervision of execution, analysis, and reporting:
Design and Plan: Recommend field trial design with moderate department leadership support
Lead site selection to be representative of agroecological zones of One Acre Fund’s operation regions
Support in sample size calculations
Consult with global partners in statistical and agricultural trial design
Keep online calendar updated 8-12 months into the future
Predict and mitigate risks of off track items with advance planning
Supervision of Execution Management:
Monitor key benchmarks and key performance indicators of trials, such as enrollment and data quality
Review CommCare tablet surveys and ensure field tests catch any data risks
Highlight risks and work with the execution team to mitigate risks early
Regularly attend Trial Officer training as well as field visits to trial sites
Share feedback with the Coordinator and Managers for improved data quality, efficiency of resources, and trial execution
Agenda review and supervision
Monitor data quality and identify trends in errors
Analysis and Reporting:
Run analysis on data using STATA or R statistical software with moderate support of department leadership
Update or create impact models for any products in Phase 2
Report results in brief, action-oriented memos with recommendations for next steps Communicate main points and next steps to headquarters at least once per year
Phase 1 Early Trial Lead: Design and manage early phase “feasibility” trials for agricultural products
Review data needed for next steps on products seasonally with department leadership to recommend trial design for the data needed, with options ranging from office garden plots to 200+ formal agricultural research station plots
Create and maintain protocols for all activities to guide execution
Create professional materials for data collection and trial management, which may include mobile data collection surveys
Supervise Trial Officer and/or any other staff maintaining trial plots
Enforce tight controls on the research station materials through stock tracking
Manage rapid professional development and delegation plan for one to two low job grade team members and support them in managing temporary workers if relevant
When relevant, run analysis on data using STATA or R statistical software with minimal support of department leadership
Report results in brief, action-oriented memos with recommendations for next steps
Communicate main points and next steps to headquarters at least once per year
Design and Plan:
Supervision of Execution:
Analysis and Reporting:
Team Management and Cross-Country Coordination: Manage a team of 15+ field staff and develop 1-2 key deputies
Liaise independently with external departments and cross-country contacts within One Acre Fund on Phase 2 or research station needs
Weekly check-ins with 1-2 direct reports, supporting them on task prioritization and planning Draft professional development plans and facilitate bi-annual performance reviews
Monitor development areas of Coordinators, Managers, and Officers to ensure continual improvement in trial execution and efficiency
Implement continual improvements in Phase 1 and Phase 2 trial management/coordination based on lessons recorded each season
Supervise unbiased hiring and management of team
Monitor Trial Officer KPIs
Qualifications
Graduate of 4-year university (mandatory)
Graduate degree (preferred)
Professional experience with data management and analysis
Proficient in STATA or R statistical software
Personal or professional experience with agronomy and/or rural livelihoods (preferred)
3-5 years practical experience working on project management (mandatory), including preferred experience with:
Managing project calendars
Trial supervision
Drafting surveys for field data collection
Data analysis leading to specific recommendations
Report writing based on clear objectives
Creating Excel tools for clear communication and tracking of projects
Proven ability to teach/mentor others
Fluency in Microsoft Excel and Word
Comfort and sensitivity working in a multicultural environment
Excellent ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
Open to feedback, willing to admit mistakes and learn from them
Typing speed needs minimal improvement, at least 25-30 words per minute
Fluent Business and Conversational English
Ability to live and work in Iringa and/or Mbeya region
Career Development and Growth:
One Acre Fund invests in building management and leadership skills. Your manager will invest significant time in your career development. We provide constant, actionable feedback delivered through mentorship and through regular management consulting-style career reviews. We also have regular one-on-one meetings, where we listen to and discuss career goals, and work collaboratively to craft roles that each person can be passionate about. Because of our rapid growth, we constantly have new high-level roles opening up and opportunities in many functions. This results in fast career growth for our staff.
LOCATION
Iringa, Tanzania
PREFERRED START DATE
February 2019
COMPENSATION
Starts modest. However, this is a career-track role with fast raises for performance, paying a meaningful salary for long-term placement in developing nations.
BENEFITS
Health insurance
SPONSOR INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATES
No
Apply now
0 Comments