Agricultural Content Specialist

Position: Agricultural Content Specialist

Status: Full-Time Consultant (7 month term)

Location: Medellin, Colombia

Hire Date: January 15, 2012

Job Summary: The Agricultural Content Specialist will direct all content and data activities related to Grameen Foundation’s (GF) Mobile Technology Program in Colombia. This position will lead the sourcing, licensing, acquisition, formatting and delivery of critical information to farmers through the mobile applications utilized by field staff and intermediaries, as well as by the farmer beneficiaries directly. He/she will also oversee the data collection activities, including partner management, data validation and reporting for project partners. The Content Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the highest standards of quality are met for information disseminated to farmers and reported back to institutional partners.

Reporting and relationships: The Agricultural Content Specialist will report to the ICTI Regional Program Manager, Latin America.

Availability: The Agricultural Content Specialist is expected to work a standard work week of 40 hours plus additional hours as necessary to get the job done. This position will need to be flexible to work work across different time zones. This position will require infrequent travel (~20%) within Colombia.

Essential Job Functions

§ Application content development and management

Fulfill the project’s content requirements of all mobile applications by sourcing content from scientific institutions, licensing, packaging the content for mobile interface and updating content as needed

Synthesize and translate scientific information into common language that can be understood by farmers

Work with team to test applications to ensure proper functionality and delivery of appropriate content

Respond to system and user feedback to continually improve application content

Provide regular updates of all timely and dynamic content

§ Guide data collection and management

Manage the business line pertaining to survey and data collection on behalf of project partners to gather information to improve their services to poor communities

Ensure the quality of data collection delivered to project partners through oversight of data validation, back-checking and analysis

§ Perform data analysis and mapping

Extract meaning from data collected through various applications and outreach

Enhance data outputs using mapping functionality and other visualizations

Synthesize and analyze data and draft all outbound reports emerging from data captured or collected

§ Application testing and support

Develop user insight and rapid prototyping materials for each service offered and conduct user insight and prototyping in the field.

Test and certify all applications before deploying with project beneficiaries

Solicit and collect feedback from staff, partners and other stakeholders to gather improvement requests and feature and content needs for continued app development

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

§ Deep commitment to eradication of poverty and alignment with Grameen Foundation’s mission

§ Strong understanding of Latin American agricultural context

§ Experience with complex data and content management projects

§ Ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously

§ Extreme attention to detail and knowledge of content and data management techniques

§ Ability to act as a representative of Grameen Foundation in public forums

§ Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and mobile phones

§ Belief in the potential to leverage information and communication technology (ICTs) for the benefit of small holder farmers –with practical experience

§ Commitment to building social and gender equity into program design and approach

§ Fluent in oral and written English strong preferred

Education and Experience

§ Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Statistics or International Development; Master’s Degree preferred

§ At least 5 years of relevant professional agricultural experience including experience collaborating with agricultural institutions and scientific research entities

§ Preference for someone with quantitative analysis experience and experience working with farmers and farmer groups

§ Experience in information and communication technology (ICT) preferred

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

This position does not require unusual demands for physical effort. This position may occasionally require physical effort to lift and transport boxes weighing no more than 50 pounds.

Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of places such as offices, meeting or training rooms, residences, or commercial vehicles; e.g., use of safe work place practices with office equipment, and/or avoidance of trips and falls, and observance of fire regulations and traffic signals.

Additional Comment:

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made in appropriate circumstances to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

Interested candidates should send their resume and brief cover letter explaining why you are interested in this position and what you will bring to the position. Resumes will be accepted through January 1, 2012, and should be sent via email to lroldan@grameenfoundation. Please put “ACS-LAC” in the subject line. No phone calls, please.