The Farm Manager will have a crucial role in ensuring the smooth running of the nursery, reforestation, and farm-related activities to meet the long-term objective of environmental sustainability of the Arusha site as well as the greening initiatives of AKU. These will be achieved by improving the microclimate, protect soil erosion and enhancing the watershed to rejuvenate the land, keeping it productive.

Responsibilities

• Ensure increased reforestation of the Arusha land through growing saplings in the nursery and scheduling and monitoring planting of trees. This includes the replacement of exotic and invasive species with indigenous trees and the reforestation of all seven hills on the farm.
• Maximize the quality and impact of the Demo Plots showcasing technologies that are adapted to the context and replicable.
• Co-design research experimental sites and plots in collaboration with ACER researchers and other partner universities’ researchers
• Train the staff and workers in regenerative agriculture practices.
• Ensure increase in farming activities and crop production by providing direction on optimal plant and animal production.
• Ensure efficient management, planning, and maintenance of farm equipment and machinery
• Overseeing landscaping and maintenance of the campus recreational areas, including the football field.
• Collaborating with the coffee and avocado farm teams and provide guidance on tree replacement, regeneration, and maintenance.
• Manage scheduling of tree stumping and adequate pruning.
• Lead harvesting and post-harvest operations.
• Support the sales of harvest at best price.
• Collect and share all farming and experimental field data with the research team for analysis and processing.

Requirements

Key Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree from a reputable institution of higher learning.
• Master’s degree in a Science related field is an added advantage.
• 5 – 7 years’ experience in a related field managing plant nurseries, reforestation, and agriculture.
• Experience in irrigation systems, sprinklers, drip, and furrow techniques.
• Wide knowledge of indigenous trees, nursery operations and forestry.
• Previous experience in environmental sustainability and conservation is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in regenerative farming.
• Good qualifications in soil protection and management.
• Good qualifications in fodder crop establishment and management.

Competencies and attributes

• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build, develop and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally.
• Ability to be self-motivated, versatile, and adaptable to different cultures and people – open- mindedness and respect for views of others.
• Strong team leadership and collaborative skills.
• Excellent command of Swahili and English; written and verbal.
• Capacity to prioritize and develop a work schedule/implement plan and monitor progress towards goals.
• Ability to make clear timely decisions.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Ensure increased reforestation of the Arusha land through growing saplings in the nursery and scheduling and monitoring planting of trees. This includes the replacement of exotic and invasive species with indigenous trees and the reforestation of all seven hills on the farm.
• Maximize the quality and impact of the Demo Plots showcasing technologies that are adapted to the context and replicable.
• Co-design research experimental sites and plots in collaboration with ACER researchers and other partner universities’ researchers
• Train the staff and workers in regenerative agriculture practices.
• Ensure increase in farming activities and crop production by providing direction on optimal plant and animal production.
• Ensure efficient management, planning, and maintenance of farm equipment and machinery
• Overseeing landscaping and maintenance of the campus recreational areas, including the football field.
• Collaborating with the coffee and avocado farm teams and provide guidance on tree replacement, regeneration, and maintenance.
• Manage scheduling of tree stumping and adequate pruning.
• Lead harvesting and post-harvest operations.
• Support the sales of harvest at best price.
• Collect and share all farming and experimental field data with the research team for analysis and processing.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to build, develop and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally.
• Ability to be self-motivated, versatile, and adaptable to different cultures and people – open- mindedness and respect for views of others.
• Strong team leadership and collaborative skills.
• Excellent command of Swahili and English; written and verbal.
• Capacity to prioritize and develop a work schedule/implement plan and monitor progress towards goals.
• Ability to make clear timely decisions.
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy.
• Ability to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines through analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

• Bachelor of Science Degree from a reputable institution of higher learning.
• Master’s degree in a Science related field is an added advantage.
• 5 – 7 years’ experience in a related field managing plant nurseries, reforestation, and agriculture.
• Experience in irrigation systems, sprinklers, drip, and furrow techniques.
• Wide knowledge of indigenous trees, nursery operations and forestry.
• Previous experience in environmental sustainability and conservation is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in regenerative farming.
• Good qualifications in soil protection and management.
• Good qualifications in fodder crop establishment and management.