Cashew Nut Supplier Capacity Advisor for Morodok Baitang Activity

The USAID-funded Morodok Baitang Activity in Cambodia, implemented by Tetra Tech International Development (www.tetratech.com/intdev), is currently accepting expressions of interest for a Cashew Nut Supplier Capacity Advisor. This position will be located in the main office in Phnom Penh with training and monitoring activities in Mondulkiri province.

Position Description/Summary:

The objective of the assignment is to build technical capacity for cashew nut suppliers (and related local buyers, and input suppliers) to increase cashew productivity by focusing on management and protection of the cashew nut at the flowering stage and pest & disease management. Analysis indicates that limited management at the flowering stage results in reduced crop yields and loss of product. To address these problems, the Cashew Nut Supplier Capacity Advisor will develop a practical training program that includes technical advice, monitoring, and follow-up coaching to train suppliers on the use of Biological Control Agents (organic matters/inputs), which will promote the transition from conventional production to organic production of cashew nuts. The Advisor will develop this training program based on field observations on cashew farms targeted by the project and information obtained from farm owners in Keo Seima District, Mondulkiri Province. This is a short-term position with an anticipated level of effort of 35 days from mid-November 2022 through mid-February 2023.

Responsibilities:

*Conduct a 3-5 day study with farm owners to investigate the affected cashew farms in Keo Seima District, Mondulkiri Province in order to assess current practices, investigate locally available Biological Control Agents (organic matters), recommend appropriate agriculture inputs to the producers, and gather any other information necessary for developing a training package.

*Develop a practical training package on protected cashew nut flowering and pest & disease management that includes descriptions of practical activities, follow-up technical advice/coaching, good practices for biological control inputs (e.g., using smoke or tobacco to control tea mosquitoes) and the availability of such inputs in the Cambodian marketplace.

*Submit the training materials to USAID Morodok Baitang for review and approval.

*Deliver 2 half-day trainings for each group of suppliers (and related buyers and input suppliers) and follow-up with on-site technical advice/coaching.

*Cooperate with USAID Morodok Baitang and partners during their visits to the assignment sites over the course of the assignment.

Qualifications:

*Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, rural development or related field.

*Minimum five years’ experiences related to field practices in agriculture development and practical experiences in cashew nut production and application of biological control agents.

*Experience in training and coaching to suppliers or producers in the field.

*Strong Khmer and English skills (verbal and writing).

*Ability to work collaboratively with stakeholders for sharing experiences and best practices.

*Ability to prepare training materials and curriculum for cashew nut suppliers related to management of cashew flowering, pest and disease identification, and pest control.