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Agriculture Officer with 13 years’ experience in food security, food safety, pesticide risk management and sustainable agriculture project and programs, seeks challenging opportunity |
 Contact Kenneth Chipere
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Area of Expertise: |
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Agriculture, Livelihoods, Microfinance, Rural
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Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy
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Environment, Climate, Energy, Water, Sanitation
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Government, Governance, Reforms
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Monitoring, Evaluation, Policy, Research, Analysis
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Professional Experience: |
Principal Agriculture Officer-Jan 2015 to date
•Technical review, evaluation and assessment of pesticides registration application dossiers.
•Implementation of international instruments related to sustainable chemicals management, notably the Rotterdam Convention, Stockholm Convention and Basel Convention. Development and implementation of pesticides risk management programmes.
•Initiating and conducting research projects independently and in cooperation with the Research Services Department for sustainable crop production.
•Inspection of pesticides manufacturing, importers and retailers for conformance to laws regulating product usage, quality and labelling.
•Facilitating training and skills development to farmers on sustainable agricultural production to ensure food security and livelihood options.
•Play an important role in realisation of organisational project outputs and outcomes through timely implementation of activities in a well-planned, organised and coordinated manner.
•Training agricultural, agriculture-related institutions and farmer organisations on sustainable pesticide usage and legislation to ensure food security.
•Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to management.
•Develop and disseminate research findings to scientists, industry and extension personnel through presentations and written material.
•Providing specialist knowledge and representation of the Ministry at provincial, national and international level.
•Writing quality narrative and financial reports and new proposals to development partners.
Agriculture Officer-Jan 2010 to date
•Conducting analysis of surface, ground water and soils for the presence of pesticide residues and other toxin contaminations for remedial action recommendation and research purposes.
•Analysis of samples using various analytical techniques such as Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS), High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Ultraviolet/ HPLC/UV-VIS) following standard operating procedures for each technique.
•Qualitative and quantitative determinations of percentage active ingredient in crop protection products for registration recommendation, routine quality control and research purposes.
•Analysing agriculture product and bi-products to ensure conformance with national and international food safety standards.
•Provide technical support to subordinates regarding laboratory operations which include quality control procedures, instrument maintenance and sample collection strategies.
•Contributing to the body of knowledge through supervising and personally planning and successfully executing research projects on sustainable agriculture production.
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Education: |
• MSc Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture
• Postgraduate Diploma in Pesticide Risk Management
• BSc Chemistry and Biochemistry(Double Major)
• Certificate in Program/Project Monitoring and Evaluation
Current Studies
• MBA-Food Security Masterclass
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Affiliations and Achievements: |
•International Society for Pesticidal Plants
Status: Full Member
•Effectively managed and directed a team of 9 officers in a nationwide study across six provinces, investigating farmers' pesticide knowledge, attitudes, and practices with a budget of 100,000 USD in 2022.
•Demonstrated leadership and expertise in spearheading the selection and training of 100 farmers for Global GAP certification in 2021, contributing to the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
•Coordinated a thorough and systematic review of Zimbabwe's pesticides database in 2021, utilizing FAO/WHO HHP identification criteria to identify and shortlist Highly Hazardous Pesticides, a crucial step towards ensuring public health and safety.
•Achieved recognition for academic excellence, receiving a scholarship to study the MBA-Food Security Masterclass through the prestigious Netherlands Scholarship Program in 2020.
•Received a highly competitive scholarship through the Australia Awards Scholarship Program in 2018, allowing for the study of Increasing Developmental Impact of Agricultural Research and fostering the ability to make significant contributions to the agricultural industry.
•Acquired extensive knowledge and skills in Laboratory Skills-Laboratory Quality Management through a scholarship awarded by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Program in 2015, leading to a stronger understanding of the importance of laboratory management in ensuring quality and safety.
•Distinguished as a recipient of the Netherlands Scholarship Program in 2014, studying Integrated Pest Management and Food Security, gaining valuable insight into sustainable crop protection methods.
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Available for: |
- Job opportunities
- Internships / Fellowships
- Being headhunted – make me an offer
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Years of Experience:
10-15 years |
Highest Qualification:
Masters |
Languages:
English, French, Shona |
Nationality:
Zimbabwe
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