
Website MavunoLab
Developing affordable postharvest technologies and services for small-scale farmers.
Job Title: Programs Officer- Research & Product Development (R&D)
Work Station: Morogoro
Mode of Work: In-Office
Time Commitment: Full Time
Duration: 12 months
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
- ABOUT MAVUNOLAB
MAVUNOLAB is a postharvest research and innovation center based in Morogoro town, Eastern Tanzania. Founded in 2019, MAVUNOLAB conducts research and development of low-cost farm technologies, services, and products to help small-scale farmers in Tanzania avoid food loss and waste. To achieve its mission, MAVUNOLAB works and engages young engineers from universities, colleges, and technical schools in postharvest research work and the development of high-potential technologies suitable for small-scale farming systems towards preventing unnecessary food spoilage, improving food safety and the livelihoods of farmers in Tanzania.
MAVUNOLAB is looking for an experienced, skilled, and results-oriented individual for the Programs Officer- Research & Product Development role to join our team. He/She will work with our research, technical teams, and institutional partners in and outside Tanzania to coordinate research work, data collection, product development, and testing, as well as oversee the development of postharvest products and services for our target population. This candidate should be attentive to details and enjoy developing agriculture development solutions and products. He/She will be responsible for ensuring research done and products developed by MAVUNOLAB meet the needs of our target population and ultimately prevent unnecessary food loss and spoilage.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- In collaboration with the technical team, take a leading role in establishing the MAVUNOLAB production team, engineering workshop, and procedures for product development.
- Coordinate and supervise all postharvest research work, field data collection, and document experiments, trials, and pilot test findings in a detailed and organized database.
- Report and share feedback to the management team on reasons for failure in case of unsuccessful pilots and product development
- Plan for and organize resources required to pilot, promote, and disseminate MAVUNOLAB products and technologies to farming communities and target populations.
- Build partnerships and work closely with new institutional and technology development partners to ensure the success of joint research projects and products developed and capture, share, and disseminate positive results to the public.
- Develop product manuals that will be used during the dissemination of postharvest products and services to the end users of MAVUNOLAB products and services.
- Coordinate the Operation and Management of postharvest research and product development.
- Visit users of MAVUNOLAB products/services to collect data, monitor performance, and understand their needs and innovation challenges to inform the R&D research agenda.
- Meet with clients and farmers and identify product failure, address concerns, and improve the products.
- Provide technical advisory to management on all matters relating to the operation and maintenance of MAVUNOLAB products and services.
- Be open and willing to assist in any other tasks as directed by the CEO and the Board.
- KEY QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
- Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Food Science and Technology or relevant qualification.
- Willingness to spend more time in our lab running different experiments.
- Understanding of R&D processes like protocol development or planning experiments, e.g., through previous experience or education, is desirable.
- Excellent attention to detail
- Hard-working and committed to doing whatever it takes to get work done.
- Commitment to excellence and outstanding work ethic
- Ability to be creative, strategic, analytical, and think outside the box to solve problems
- Flexible and adaptable to changing environments
- An optimistic attitude and curiosity to learn new things
- Humble and patient team player with a sense of humor
- Strong technology skills (e.g., Word, Excel, Salesforce, Google Docs, and Dropbox
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Good organization, planning, and coordination skills
- Ability to work under minimal supervision
- WHAT WE OFFER
- Exposure and networking opportunities to a global network of agri-prenurs, innovators, investors, agriculture researchers, academic institutions, and international development agencies, including the United Nations (UN) and several others
- Opportunity to occasionally travel with the programs team in and outside Tanzania as part of the programs management team
- Hands-on experience in working with a dynamic team of young and highly skilled researchers on a mission to transform the agriculture sector in Tanzania
How to Apply:
Note:
Interested candidates should send their CV and Cover Letter to info@mavunolab.org .
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and the next steps.
Deadline: February 15th, 2025.
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To apply for this job email your details to info@mavunolab.org