Pyxus Agriculture Limited is a subsidiary of a trusted provider of responsibly sourced, independently verified, sustainable and traceable agricultural products and ingredients, operating in Malawi servicing the needs of its shareholders and their customers.

A job opportunity has arisen at Pyxus Agriculture Limited for the position of Field Technician.

VACANCY: FIELD TECHNICIAN

Reporting directly to the Area Field Supervisor (AFS), the Field Technician shall ensure the efficiency of all operations related to smallholder farmers in the scheme assigned to him/her in accordance with the themes of the Sustainable Tobacco Programme (STP); and Best Practices for Groundnuts Production in order to attain total product integrity.

Key responsibilities:

• Responsible for sensitisation and Awareness campaign meetings in identifying and registering smallholder IPS growers for both Groundnuts and Tobacco Production.
• Ensuring that contracted Clubs/Estates pay for TC license, Loan Security Savings (LSS) with sponsoring banks for the contracted hectares.
• Responsible for daily management of Tobacco from the nursery to Auction floors and Groundnuts production by Smallholder farmers in a scheme of approximately +/- 220 ha (Tobacco & Groundnuts) through the Integrated Production System (IPS).

• Conducting demonstrations and training of Smallholder farmers on Best Practices for Tobacco & Groundnuts Production.
• Ensuring successful management of demo-plots for both Groundnuts and Tobacco and data collection.
• Timely distribution of production inputs for both Tobacco and Groundnuts by raising inputs requisition and timely collection from warehouse and distribution to growers and ensuring submission of invoices for debit notes creation.
• Ensuring full Volume and Loan recovery for both Groundnuts and Tobacco in the designated scheme.
• Conducting routine supervision field visits for both Groundnuts and Tobacco IPS contracted growers and ensure Crop Estimates are done and submitted in good time.
• Conducting data collection and surveys throughout the growing season using smartphones or other data collection tools.
• Reporting and follow up on all ALP incidents.
• Maintenance of relationships with farmers and other stakeholders as the representative for Pyxus Agriculture Ltd.
• Integration of Sustainable Tobacco Programme (STP) procedures and guidelines in all smallholder tobacco production activities.
• Implementation of customer programmes and participation in other social responsibility programs as advised by management from time to time.
• Timely submission of reports to the AFS on adverse weather, crop failure and submission of insurance claims.
• Any other duties as assigned from time to time.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Minimum of a Diploma in Agriculture obtained from a recognized university or college.
• Not less than three years’ experience in provision of extension services focusing on crop production (Tobacco & Groundnuts) with Smallholder farmer communities.
• Ability to ride a motorcycle with a valid motorcycle licence will be an added advantage.

The Person:

• Dynamic self-starter with excellent communication and inter personal skills able to interact with farmers workers, managers, smallholder farmers and rural communities.
• Socially responsible with a passion for improving farmer livelihoods, caring for our planet through planting of trees and being an advocate for principles of Agricultural Labour Practice (ALP).
• Technology conversant and able to use smartphones, e-mail and internet.
• Be of sober habits and willing to work at odd hours or on weekends where required.
• Be prepared to be allocated in rural communities within the Central and Northern regions of Malawi.

The Rewards:
• A competitive salary and benefits package.
• Advancement of career through in-house training programs.

Send your application, Curriculum Vitae (CV), copies of your certificates, with your contact phone numbers and names of three traceable referees to the address below, no later than 16th April 2024A competitive salary and benefits package.

The Human Resources Services Controller
Pyxus Agriculture Malawi Limited
P.O. Box 40048
Kanengo
LILONGWE 4.
E-mail: mwrecruitment@pyxus.com

All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Only shortlisted candidates who meet the above specifications will be notified with regards to the interviews.