FARM SUPERVISOR

The Coconut Industry Board is looking for a Farm Supervisor to assist with the management of all coconut farming operations and/or any research plots for an individual property by ensuring efficiency, productivity and profitability.

1. 1.       JOB PURPOSE

Under the general direction and management of the Chief Farm Manager, the Farm Supervisor assists with the management of all coconut farming operations and/or any research plots for an individual property by ensuring efficiency, productivity and profitability.  

1. 2.       KEY OUTPUTS

• Coconut crop production, including soil management and field preparation, nursery, and seed-nut/seedling management, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest supervised
• All relevant crop records and information of all CIB farms maintained;
• All CIB’s farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies maintained
• Farm security programmes supervised
• Farm data collected

• Corporate/Operational Plans and Budgets coordinated
• Annual/Quarterly/Monthly performance reports prepared
• Individual work plans developed
• Staff coached and appraisals conducted

1. 3.       KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS

Technical/Professional Responsibilities

• Assists with the supervision of farm staff and contractors to ensure work is conducted in accordance with CIB standards;
• Assists with the supervision of all aspects of crop production, including soil management and field preparation, nursery, and seed-nut/seedling management, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest handling of coconuts and byproducts on a discrete CIB Farm;
• Coordinates the distribution of the farm produce to CIB agro-processing plants and shops;
• Assists with the creation and maintenance of an annual farm budget, track and adjust income and expense forecasts;
• Facilitates farm team meetings, and supervises the seasonal work plan as well as weekly and daily “to do” lists;
• Conducts performance assessment and review systems for the farm workers in the absence of the Farm Manager in partnership with the Chief Farm Manager and Human Resource & Administration team;
• Maintains all relevant crop records and information of all CIB farms;
• Maintains all CIB’s farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies, and identifies equipment for repairs, replacements, and upgrades;
• Participates in the supervision of farm maintenance and security programmes to foster sustainability and profitability;
• Works with all CIB staff to ensure that the farm spaces and the other CIB programmes complement one another and achieve the CIB’s mission;
• Assists with the collection of data and write monthly reports on CIB’s coconut production and general farming activities;
• Promotes the use of inclusive and participatory approaches to adapt, validate and share innovative practices for climate-smart and sustainable coconut production;
• Promotes the innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to develop and sustain effective functional linkages among innovation stakeholders such as research linkages, universities, private sector, NGOs and market actors;
• Maintains networks of collaboration with technical specialists to gather information and promote awareness of technical issues to improve farm management systems and advisory services;
• Remains aware of relevant Farm Management innovation and industry trends and issues to ensure alignment with recommended changes/modifications to achieve better practice and strategic objectives.

Management/Administrative Responsibilities

• Participates in the development of the CIB’s Corporate/Operational Plans, Budget and Individual Work Plans;  
• Prepares/Supervises preparation of reports to Director – Advisory Services & Farm Management/Chief Farm Manager and other relevant stakeholders;
• Recommends participation of relevant Divisional Representatives at meetings, conferences, seminars and workshops;
• Attends Committee meetings and executes directives as necessary;

• Represents CIB at meetings, conferences, workshops and seminars.

Human Resources Responsibilities

• Provides leadership to staff through effective objective setting, delegation and communication;
• Ensures that direct reports and staff are kept fully abreast of GOJ’s goals and priorities with regards to the CIB’s core functions and related issues;
• Recommends appointments, training, incentive arrangements and disciplinary action for staff supervised in keeping with established human resource policies;
• Provides guidance to staff through coaching, mentoring and training, providing assistance and support as needed;
• Ensures that staff is aware of and adhere to the policies procedures and regulations of the CIB;
• Ensures that training and other needs of employees are adequately identified and addressed;
• Ensures that clearly defined values and attitude are in place that fosters a culture of teamwork, employee empowerment, commitment to quality service delivery and creates an environment that is conducive to continuous learning.

Other Responsibilities

• Performs all other related duties and functions as may be required from time to time.

1. 4.       PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

• Coconut crop production, including soil management and field preparation, nursery, and seed-nut/seedling management, weeding, irrigation, harvesting and post-harvest supervised in accordance with the CIB’s strategic direction, agreed standards and timeframes;
• Cooperates training and compliance with health and safety guidelines and procedures – including wearing personal protective equipment and related devices; and reports incidents and hazards;
• All relevant crop records and information of all CIB farms maintained in keeping with agreed standards, best practices and timeframes;
• All CIB’s farm implements, infrastructure, tools, and supplies maintained in accordance with the agreed standards and timeframes;
• Farm security programmes supervised in accordance with the agreed standards and timeframes;
• Farm data collected in accordance with the agreed standards and timeframes;

• Reports, technical papers, and publications prepared in accordance with agreed format, are accurate and submitted on time;

• Annual/Quarterly/Monthly performance reports are prepared
• Individual Work Plans developed in conformity to established standards and within agreed timeframes;
• Staff coached and appraisals completed and submitted in accordance to agreed timeframes and standards;
• Confidentiality, integrity and professionalism displayed in the delivery of duties and interaction with staff.

1. 5.       INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CONTACTS

Internal Contacts (required for the achievement of the position objectives)

External Contacts (required for the achievement of the position objectives)

1. 6.       AUTHORITY

• Prepares and recommends budgets for a Farm;
• Recommends Farm Management procedural changes;
• Recommends relevant training and development programmes for direct reports to enhance knowledge and performance.

1. 7.       REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core

• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Customer & Quality Focus
• Teamwork & Cooperation
• Integrity
• Compliance
• Interpersonal Skills
• Change Management

Technical

• Demonstrated experience in cropping management systems and the management of farm irrigation systems.
• Agronomic knowledge and experience in implementing sustainable cropping programs. Knowledge and passion for community farming, food justice, food systems development, etc. 
• Strong knowledge of agricultural equipment uses and safety. 
• Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship development skills. 
• A strong sense of trust and a high level of confidentiality and integrity;
• Knowledge of Agricultural ICT systems;
• Good knowledge of Agricultural monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
• Strong ability to synthesize multiple ideas and complex information into a coherent summary, as in reports and briefing notes, and to make cogent recommendation for the modification or creation of legislation, policies and programmes;
• Good verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to deliver presentation with tact, clarity, enthusiasm and accuracy to widely varied audiences;
• A high level of initiative and self-motivation;
• Demonstrated interpersonal and negotiation skills;
• Aptitude for developing and maintaining collaborative relations with team members both within and outside the CIB;
• Familiarity with procedures, policies and legislation governing the machinery of government;
• Knowledge of the Government processes, including policy development, financial planning, performance management systems and basic theories, principles and methods of analysis;
• Knowledge of computerized systems and software, with an emphasis on the MS Office suite and projects.

1. 8.       MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree in Agriculture, Sustainable Agriculture, Horticulture or related field or NVQJ Level 3; 
• One (1) year work experience in the area of farm management or related disciplines;

1. 9.       SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB

• Work will involve some physical exertion, such as walking, standing, lifting heavy objects, etc., and/or any risks or discomforts like exposure to hazards such as exposure to chemicals, extreme weather, and other hostile working conditions. Work will also be conducted in an office equipped with standard office equipment and specialized software.  The environment is fast paced with on-going interactions with critical stakeholders and meeting tight deadlines which will result in high degrees of pressure, on occasions. May be required to travel locally and internationally to tour farms, attend conferences, seminars and meetings.