Cashew Value Chain Field Technical Coordinator

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building 60 years of experience and together with our team of over 1,600 people, SNV strengthens capacities and catalyze partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, SNV work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance.

The Cashew Value Chain Improvement project, Phase II, which follows Phase I (May 2024-May 2025), is centered on a single goal: to enhance the livelihoods of smallholder cashew farmers, especially youth and women, in Tandahimba District and Nanyamba District, Mtwara Region, Tanzania.

To achieve this, the project works through three interconnected interventions, each with its own strategic focus, but designed to reinforce one another.

1. Improving the livelihoods of smallholder cashew farmers through the implementation of sustainable farming practices
2. Enhanced youth and female engagement in the cashew sector 
3. Strengthened Governance of AMCO's and improved market access for AMCO's through Rainforest Alliance certification

The project will directly benefit approximately 2000 individuals, including smallholder farmers, with a particular emphasis on the inclusion of youth and women. By integrating these components, the project supports farmers not only in terms of technical capacity but also in economic resilience, generational renewal, and enhanced female and youth inclusion — key conditions for long-term sustainability.

Position Description 

The Cashew Value Chain Technical Coordinator plays a core technical advisory and leadership role in the delivery of the project. The role is responsible for coordinating the implementation and overseeing the field-level implementation of sustainable cashew production. The coordinator will work closely with the Tanzania Agriculture Research Institute (TARI), Ward and Village Extension Officers, AMCOs, and Amama Farms to improve farmers' sustainable agricultural practices and prepare them for Rainforest Alliance certification. The position will focus on organising and supervising extension-led training programmes, ensuring quality and consistent technical support to farmers, monitoring the adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and Post-Harvest Management (PHM). Through regular field engagement and coaching, the coordinator will help ensure that farmers successfully meet productivity, sustainability, and certification requirements, contributing to improved livelihoods and strengthened market access.

Project Implementation

• Plan, organize, and coordinate Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for Ward and Village Extension Officers on GAP, CSA and PHM
• Develop training schedules, mobilise participants, and coordinate logistics for village-level training activities.
• Prepare detailed activity budgets
• Provide on-site coaching and technical advice to extension officers and farmers.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Maintain strong working relationships with district authorities, extension services, TARI, certification bodies, AMCOS, and project partners.
•  Participate in project planning, review meetings, and learning events.
•  Represent the project in local technical coordination meetings when required.

Monitoring, learning and knowledge management

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor adoption of promoted practices.
• Identify implementation challenges and develop practical solutions to improve farmer performance.
• Prepare monthly technical progress reports.
• Maintain accurate records of trainings, participant attendance and ensure data collection tools are aligned to projects M&E plan
• Document success stories and lessons learned

• Bachelors degree in agriculture, agronomy, agribusiness, rural development or a relevant field
• Minimum 2 years work experience in the cashew value chain with knowledge of the agriculture sector in Tanzania
• Knowledge of farmers’ needs, input supply, aggregated marketing, post-harvest handling and storage, advisory services/good agricultural practices and value addition
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Desired attributes:

Problem analysis

The ability to detect problems, recognise important information and link various data to trace potential causes and look for relevant details

Coaching

Encouraging and guiding employees/partners in order to make their performance more effective and to enhance their self-perception and problem-solving skills.  

Focus on quality

Setting high quality standards and striving for continuous improvement and quality assurance.

Result Orientation

The ability to take direct action in order to attain or exceed objectives.

Contract Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Tandahimba with frequent travel to field sites

Desired Start Date: 1 October 2026

WORKING AT SNV

SNV offers a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of Agri Food team.

HOW TO APPLY

The vacancy is for internal and external candidates and it will active up to 13th September 2026. All applications should be through Smart Recruiters on the following link https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/SNV .