Job Description

Position: Consultancy – Trainers in Plantain and Passion fruit Cultivation (Suriname)

Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity

Period of Performance: January 7 – March 7, 2025

Total Level of Effort: LOE 20 days

1. Introduction

Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to equitable and sustainable economic growth in developing countries. IESC believes that a robust private sector is a foundation for resilient nations and strong communities. Since 1964, IESC has helped to grow small and medium-sized enterprises around the world and strengthened the systems and institutions that support them. By deploying a mix of technical assistance and volunteer expert support, IESC works with emerging industries, financial institutions, and governments to stabilize economic environments, increase opportunity, and promote growth.

In the Eastern and Southern Caribbean (ESC), food prices and the cost of agricultural inputs have increased significantly, and smallholder farmers are unable to produce sufficient food to meet local and regional demand without technical assistance. IESC is therefore implementing the USAID Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA), designed to help farmers and other stakeholders with an emphasis on women and youth in selected fruit and vegetable value chains, adopt market-driven agricultural practices and technologies, and their integration into domestic and regional markets.

CAPA recognizes that the sustainable development of the agriculture sector requires that producers adopt good agricultural practices . IESC is recruiting an experienced consultant to train and support capacity building of farmers in Suriname.

2. Scope of Work

The consultant is expected to utilize specialized technical knowledge to train approximately 80 farmers in passionfruit and plantain cultivation, using the market-led production specification manuals for passionfruit and plantain production. These trainings should enhance farmers' knowledge and skills in passionfruit and plantain cultivation using best practices and sustainable methods.

Training

The Consultant will execute the following main tasks/activities:

1. provide in-depth practical and theoretical capacity building sessions of Passionfruit and Plantain cultivation including cost of production estimates for both crops;
2. equip farmers with practical skills in pre-cultivation planning, propagation, planting, soil- management, irrigation, fertilization, pest management, harvesting, and post-harvest practices for the respective crops; and,
3. conduct capacity building with passionfruit farmers on the most efficient and cost-effective trellises design based on terrain and farm location.

3. Deliverables

The principal deliverables of the Consultant will be:

1. Deliverable 1 – Cost of Production Estimates – the Consultant will develop cost of production estimates for passionfruit and plantain cultivation. The cost of production estimates will utilize the template provided by IESC. Cost of Production estimates to be submitted within 5 days of contract.

1. Deliverable 2 – T raining Program – The Consultant will develop a training program for passionfruit and plantains cultivation. The training materials should cover all essential areas to include (pre-treatment of planting materials, planting / propagation techniques, irrigation, nutrition management, pest and disease and post-harvest practices). The training presentation is to be submitted within 15 days of contract.

1. Deliverable 3 – Training Delivery – the Consultant will deliver 6 training sessions, 3 days each per crop during the period of performance. Each training will be for approximately 3 hours and will occur on the days agreed between the Consultant and CAPA.

4. Duration and Payment

The assignment will require a maximum of 20 days for completion. Payments for deliverables will be after delivery and acceptance by IESC.

The salary range for this position is US $150 to $200 per day based on qualifications and experience. IESC has developed a salary range based on market survey data. Consultant salaries are typically established within this range based on qualifications, internal equity , and the amount budgeted for this role.

5. Qualifications

Candidates are expected to have at least:

● A degree in Agronomy, agricultural management, extension, or a related and relevant field. B.A. required Master is a plus.

● Minimum of five years’ professional experience in agronomy and extension services with technical experience in passionfruit and plantain cultivation.

● Familiarity with Microsoft Excel.

● Experience in preparing and presenting high-quality presentations.

● Strong oral and written communication skills .  Fluency in Dutch, Sranan Tongo , and English is required.

6. Location and Reporting

The assignment will take place in Suriname . The Consultant will work closely with the Market-led Production Consultant based in Suriname .

Our organization is committed to promoting an inclusive workplace that values every individual and their diverse backgrounds and experiences. IESC’s employee-led diversity, equity, inclusion , and accessibility (DEIA) committee guides IESC’s efforts to become an even more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. The committee creates strategic accountability for DEIA-related results, provides governance and oversight on DEIA efforts, and promotes organization-wide communication on progress.

IESC is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to achieving a diverse workforce in which all applicants and employees receive equal treatment regardless of their personal characteristics. IESC is committed to providing employment opportunities for all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

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