Crop Protection Development Assistant (Fixed Term Contract)

ROLE PURPOSE

Support Technical Field Scientists (TFS) with all technical trial activities in Zambia, equipment maintenance and management of stores.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for trial management
• Trial execution:
• Accurate chemical product measuring according to protocol.
• Loading of equipment and necessary material required
• Pegging of trials
• Calibration of sprayers
• Harvesting of trials
• Spraying/application of trials
• Spray pathways
• Maintenance of sites – e.g., spraying, weed control, etc.
• Data collection
• Management of chemical sample storeroom and CPD equipment.
• Chemical store
• Ensure accurate record keeping of all products
• Keep up to date inventory of all chemical products in the storeroom
• Ensure all chemicals are labelled
• Equipment
• Maintenance, servicing, and cleaning of equipment
• Ensure equipment is correctly stored
• General store maintenance
• Clean store facility
• Maintain good hygienic standards
• Adhere to HSE standards
• Support the Technical Field Scientist with technical and demonstration trials. 
• Have a close working relationship with the Technical Field Scientist, Commercial colleagues and take ownership to build own technical knowledge.

As a world market leader in crop protection, we help farmers to counter these threats and ensure enough safe, nutritious, affordable food for all – while minimizing the use of land and other agricultural inputs.

Syngenta Crop Protection keeps plants safe from planting to harvesting. From the moment a seed is planted through to harvest, crops need to be protected from weeds, insects and diseases as well as droughts and floods, heat and cold.

Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Switzerland.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION

Bachelors Degree in Agriculture or related agronomy field 

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

Critical Knowledge:

• Basic crop, weeds, pests, disease & product knowledge
• Basic equipment knowledge
• Basic principles of trials
• Basic understanding of pest and diseases
• Basic knowledge of digital tools
• Working knowledge of microscope use
• In possession of valid driver’s license.  

Critical Experience:

• Intern or Apprentice Experience

Skills:

• Work independently
• Reliable
• Problem identification and solving
• Working long hours in peak seasons
• High degree of patience
• Attention to detail
• Work respectful with farmers and other stakeholders

CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTORS AND  KEY CHALLENGES  

• Ability to provide technical strategic input.
• Ability to deliver outputs working across a complex range of interfaces.
• Ability to maintain standards and technical integrity.
• Close interfaces with BA Project, Marketing and Portfolio teams, to keep market intimacy and to develop an effective network.
• Ensure biological elements of projects are kept on their critical paths and are delivered on time and efficiently.
• Key  Relationships
  • BA Technical Leads, Technical Field Scientists
  • BCU Product Biology
  • BA Marketing
  • BA Regulatory

TRAINING 

• On the job training on various aspects related to the job

TENURE OF CONTRACT

• One (1) year contract