JOB DETAILS:
Job Summary:
The Field Officer will work collaboratively with farmers, farmer organizations (FOs), and stakeholders to increase productivity, ensure quality, and drive sustainable growth in the coffee sector.

The Field Officer plays a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the company value chain by overseeing and facilitating activities related to coffee cultivation, production, and quality assurance within an assigned geographic area.

This position requires an individual who can effectively engage with coffee farmers, provide technical guidance, and uphold the highest coffee production standards.

Key Responsibilities:
Relationship Management:
• Act as the primary point of contact between the company and its clients, cultivating and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that reinforce the company position as a key partner in the coffee industry.

Farmer Organization (FO) Setup & Support:
• Lead the establishment and development of Farmer Organizations (FOs) within your area, ensuring farmers are well-informed about Farmer Services Unit (FSU) products and services.
• Provide guidance on group structuring, leadership, and governance to promote sustainable farmer organizations.

Training & Capacity Building:
• Deliver comprehensive, hands-on training to farmers in your assigned FOs, focusing on critical areas such as farmer field school methodology, best agricultural practices (GAP), climate-smart farming techniques, and financial literacy.
• Ensure that farmers are empowered with the knowledge and skills needed to optimize coffee production and business management.

Communication & Information Flow:
• Ensure that clear, timely, and accurate communication is maintained between the company and the FOs under your jurisdiction.
• Act as a conduit for sharing important updates, product information, and operational directives, while also gathering feedback from farmers to improve service delivery.

Portfolio Growth & Quality:
• Drive the growth of the FO loan portfolio by meeting and exceeding periodic targets as agreed with your line manager.
• Take a proactive approach to portfolio management by recruiting high-quality farmers who meet the company's eligibility criteria, and implement measures to minimize default rates.

Coffee Processing & Quality Control:
• Support FOs in organizing efficient bulking, processing, and timely delivery of coffee to the company's factory.
• Monitor coffee handling practices to ensure that quality standards are strictly adhered to, minimizing defects and ensuring that all coffee bulked for the company meets or exceeds the company's minimum quality requirements.

Farmer Registration & Financial Inclusion:
• Ensure all farmers are properly registered in the company's proprietary mobile system under their own mobile money numbers.
• Champion financial inclusion by ensuring that farmers understand and can utilize mobile money systems for their transactions.

Staff Development & Training Participation:
• Actively engage in all staff training initiatives designed to improve awareness of the company's processes, products, and best practices.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous personal and professional development by participating in learning opportunities that enhance your capabilities as a Field Officer.

Additional Duties:
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the Regional Team Leader or other members of management from time to time, contributing to the overall success of the company's operations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
• Achievement of assigned loan portfolio growth targets.
• Maintenance of a low default rate through effective recruitment and management of quality farmers.

• Improvement in coffee quality and yield within assigned FOs.

• Timely and accurate communication with farmers and internal teams.
• Successful registration of farmers in the company's mobile system.
• Active participation in staff training and development programs.