TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR)

Position Title: Field Technical Manager – Avocado Value Chain Development

Organization: TRUK Rwanda
Website:www.panielgroup.com/trukRwanda.html
Duty Station: Rwanda (Field-based, with travel across avocado-producing regions)
Reports To: Project Manager – TRUK Rwanda
Contract Type: Full-Time

1. Background

TRUK Rwanda, an agri-food logistics and transport company dedicated to transforming Rwanda’s horticultural sector.
The company is currently developing the avocado value chain to produce, source from farmers, transport, grade, pack, and export premium fresh avocados from Rwanda to international markets.

To achieve this, TRUK Rwanda is seeking to recruit a highly qualified Field Technical Manager to lead the implementation of the avocado program to ensuring technical excellence, farmer empowerment, compliance with export standards, and delivery of high-quality fruit to the packhouse.

2. Purpose of the Role

The Field Technical Manager will spearhead the implementation of TRUK Rwanda’s avocado value chain initiative from production to export.
The role covers production, sourcing, agronomy, technical farmer support, aggregation, quality assurance, compliance, and training, ensuring a consistent supply of export-grade avocados to the company’s packhouse.

3. Key Responsibilities

A. Agronomy & Production Support

• Design and roll out avocado production programs across targeted regions.
• Provide training and mentorship to farmers on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), pest/disease control, irrigation, pruning, and harvesting.
• Develop and maintain production calendars, yield projections, and farm monitoring systems.
• Conduct regular field inspections to ensure adherence to technical standards.
• Promote sustainable and climate-smart production techniques.

B. Farmer Mobilization & Sourcing

• Identify, map, and onboard smallholder and commercial avocado farmers.
• Strengthen farmer groups and cooperatives through technical and organizational capacity building.
• Coordinate aggregation and sourcing activities aligned with the packhouse supply plan.
• Maintain farmer databases and ensure traceability from field to export.

C. Quality Assurance & Post-Harvest Handling

• Oversee harvest planning, maturity testing, and post-harvest handling practices.
• Ensure strict compliance with quality and food safety standards for export.
• Work closely with packhouse and logistics teams to ensure timely delivery of fruit.
• Conduct random field audits to verify quality control and adherence to company procedures.

D. Certification & Compliance Implementation in collaboration with the certification consultant

• Lead implementation and monitoring of GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, SMETA, and Social Standards.
• Coordinate internal audits, external audits, maintain documentation, and close non-conformities.
• Train farmers and internal teams on compliance protocols and record keeping.
• Support implementation of traceability and environmental responsibility systems.

E. Training, Capacity Building & Extension

• Develop training materials and conduct farmer field days and demonstrations.
• Build the technical capacity of field officers, assistants, and partner cooperatives.
• Facilitate continuous learning and knowledge-sharing within the technical team.

F. Data Management, Reporting & Monitoring

• Maintain up-to-date farm records, production data, and compliance checklists.
• Prepare and submit weekly and monthly progress reports to management.
• Support performance tracking, monitoring, and evaluation of field activities.

G. Coordination & Representation

• Liaise with local authorities, cooperatives, and sector stakeholders in avocado value chain development.
• Represent TRUK Rwanda in technical forums, certification workshops, and industry events.
• Collaborate with donor programs, certification bodies, and research partners as necessary.

4. Key Deliverables

• Functional and mapped farmer network with active production and traceability systems.
• Structured and compliant avocado production zones.
• Fully implemented GAP and certification systems (GLOBALG.A.P., GRASP, SMETA).
• Consistent delivery of export-quality avocados to the packhouse.
• Comprehensive technical and compliance reporting to management.

5. Qualifications and Experience

6. Performance Indicators

• Number of farmers trained, mapped, and certified.
• Percentage of farms compliant with certification standards.
• Export quality and rejection rate metrics.
• Adherence to sourcing timelines and packhouse delivery schedules.
• Timeliness and accuracy of technical reports.

7. Reporting & Supervision

The Field Technical Manager will report directly to the Project Manager and will supervise Field Technical Officers, Assistants operating in avocado-growing regions.

8. Duration & Remuneration

• Contract Type: Full-time (renewable based on performance).
• Duration: 24 months, with possibility of extension.
• Remuneration: Competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications.