FIELD ASSISTANT
(Location: East Java, Short Term: up to 20 days)
Project Overview and Role
PRISMA is an agricultural development program which follows a Making Markets Work for the Poor approach and will contribute to a 30%, or more, increase in net incomes for 300,000 poor rural female and male farmers. Its objective is to increase competitiveness of poor female and male farmers. It will work in a range of sub-sectors in collaboration with farmers, businesses, government and civil society partners to increased competitiveness of poor male and female farmers through (i) increased productivity; (ii) improved business performance; (iii) a growing share of an expanding market; and (iv) the continuous adoption of innovations that contribute to productivity, performance, and market growth. The project will work in five (5) provinces in Eastern Indonesia: East Java, Nusa Tenggara Barat, Nusa Tenggara Timur, West Papua and Papua.
Soybean farmers in East Java experience low yield due to poor quality retained seeds and limited application of GAP. Therefore, PRISMA works with seed companies and nurseries to promote certified soybean seeds. To support the intervention, PRISMA needs to have information on existing nurseries in East Java, with particular focus on current production, production capacity, quality, and their willingness to expand to commercial market.
Application
Applications close on 28th March 2017. Please apply via this LINK.
The post is open for Indonesian national only. Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities
The objective of this assignment is to obtain a reliable database of existing nurseries in East Java. In close collaboration with Soybean Task Leader, Field Assistant is expected to assist the soybean bean team in conducting a soybean nurseries assessment in East Java. The areas of work are as outlined below:
Collect information from nurseries on:
- The existing land size and production capacity
- Timing of planting and production.
- Number of contract farmers.
- GAP and inputs applied.
- The existing seed distribution channel.
- Selling price and payment scheme.
- Packaging and branding.
- Variety and source of seeds.
Explore and assess:
- The challenges faced in producing seeds.
- Quality of seeds produced.
- Complaints handling method.
- Willingness to expand to commercial market.
In addition to that:
- The field assistant will carry out any administrative tasks that are related to the above areas of work, and any other tasks set out by the task leader
- The field assistant will ensure to the best of their abilities to follow up and complete any outstanding approval items with DFAT?s Rural Development Unit
Requirements
Essential skills and experience:
- Bachelor's degree (awarded/studying) in the field of Agriculture, Food Technology, Development Science or Rural Development or any related discipline. Graduate of mentioned areas will be an advantage.
- Relevant experience in survey, interviewing people, and or as an enumerator.
- Warm personality with strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively dig up relevant information from respondents.
- Fluency in Indonesian and Javanese local dialect.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Ability to work independently with little supervision.
- Proactive, creative and analytical thinking skills.
- Willing to work in the field and travel.
