Garden Supervisor Family Legacy

Family Legacy Missions Zambia (FLMZ) is a Faith-based organization that upholds Christian values and morals in educating the orphaned and vulnerable children it serves. The organization seeks to recruit suitably qualified, experienced, and competent individuals who demonstrate commitment to FLMZ’s mission, vision, and values.

Department: Tree of Life Farm

Job Summary:

The overall responsibility of the Garden Supervisor is to effectively oversee the day-to-day operation of the garden operations at the Tree of Life Farm, as well as, oversee training for all the students and staff who work in the garden so that they can demonstrate sufficient agricultural management, processing, and marketing knowledge to work independently of direct supervision. The Garden Supervisor is to be continually pursuing personal training to help become a better manager, mentor, trainer, and employee. The Garden Supervisor serves as a mentor for the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of the students who work with him in the garden. The position holder is the link between the garden operation and the Program Manager for Farm and Trades. As such, they work under the supervision of the Program Manager for Farm and Trades and the Assistant Farm Manager to help formulate and implement a garden management strategy that will maximize the efficient use of the Tree of Life Farm’s resources of land, labor, and capital.

Dimensions of the Role

• The Garden Supervisor reports directly to the Program Manager for Farm and Trades and/or the Assistant Farm Manager.
• The Garden Supervisor will direct the day-to-day work of the students and staff assigned to work at the garden.
• The Garden Supervisor will primarily work weekdays during the day.
• The Garden Supervisor will need to allow for a flexible schedule as the job develops.
• The Garden Supervisor will oversee training for all the students and staff who work in the garden.
• The Garden Supervisor will report problems and concerns in a timely manner to the Program Manager for Farm and Trades and/or the Assistant Farm Manager.
• The Garden Supervisor strives to work proactively rather than reactively.
• The Garden Supervisor is responsible for submitting requests for funds to the Program Manager for Farm and Trades in a timely manner.
• The Garden Supervisor is responsible for submitting money collected for sale of farm produce to the Program Manager for Farm and Trades in a timely manner.
• The Garden Supervisor is responsible for the marketing of garden produce and will continually look for additional markets to give more options for selling our produce.
• The Garden Supervisor will strive to continuously improve production and profit in the market garden operation.
• The Garden Supervisor will keep an accurate and up-to-date record of all receipts and disbursements for the market garden program.
• The Garden Supervisor will work closely with the Program Manager for Farm and Trades to develop the annual budget.
• The Garden Supervisor will be guided by the understanding that our resources are God given and that as both Christians and Farmers we are not owners but stewards of these resources for the true owner – God.
• The Garden Supervisor will coordinate with the Tree of Life food procurement officer to ensure that the Tree of Life always has a fresh supply of vegetables for the children, and house mothers to eat.
• The Garden Supervisor will also perform other necessary farm related duties as assigned by either the Assistant Farm Manager or the Program Manager for Farm and Trades.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position

Oversite

• Students working in the Garden: Serve as a mentor for the spiritual, intellectual, social, and physical development of the students that work in the garden so that they can demonstrate sufficient agricultural management knowledge to work independently of direct supervision.
• Staff working in the Garden: Direct, train, and manage the staff in the garden such that all work is covered and all staff are fully engaged in the goals of the market garden operation.

Evaluation

• Current Partnerships: Continually evaluate our current vendors and work with them to provide the best quality of materials at the best possible price, Also, work with our current markets to make sure that we are receiving a fair price and that we are delivering a top-quality product.
• Potential Partnerships: Continually look for additional markets to give more options in selling our garden produce. Additionally, they will constantly be working to find new vendors that deliver needed supplies that are high quality and better-priced
• Staff and students: Provide evaluation and feedback to staff and students in a timely manner to help them develop their talents for garden management and agricultural leadership.

Other

• Risk Management: Proactively monitor the Market Garden operation component of the farm to ensure key risks are mitigated in a timely manner.
• Reporting: Report problems and concerns on time to the Program Manager for Farm and Trades and/or the Assistant Farm Manager and strive to work proactively rather than reactively.
• Child Protection: Provide oversight in cooperation with other staff to ensure the compliance and coherence of Family Legacy’s Child Protection Policy and Social Media Guidelines to safeguard and protect children from all forms of harm and abuse.

Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors required to achieve the role’s objectives

Grade 12 certificate
Bachelor’s Degree or diploma in relevant field
Work experience in a similar position.
Fluency in English spoken and written
Competency in computer skills (MS Word, Excel, etc.)
Valid Zambian Driver’s License
Coursework in Agronomy

Skills Specific to Post:

Demonstrates commitment to FL’s mission, vision, and values.
Exhibits and promotes Christian principles of servant leadership in decision-making and working with other members of staff, especially in conflict resolution.
Develops, motivates, and manages team members by setting and holding high standards for performance.
Promotes innovation and learning amongst team members to achieve goals.
Communication clearly and effectively both verbally and written.
Gains, develops, and retains credibility for personal relationships with others.
Ability to work well with others in a multi-disciplinary and cross-cultural environment.
Creates strong direction for own part of the organisation to serve the needs in the overall Family Legacy context.
Strong analytical skills in problem-solving and strategic thinking.
Strong negotiation skills.
Strong management skills in coaching, problem-solving, and people management.
Ability to work effectively with others on a team and independently, especially under pressure.
Excellent listener who understands and shows sensitivity to the needs of others/other programs
Strong planning and organizational skills
Financial management and budgeting skills
Ability to adapt personal views to get the best outcome for the ministry.
Cooperates effectively with other departments for the benefit of the ministry.
Aware of own strengths, and weaknesses and proactive in using feedback for self-development.
Aware of impact on others and uses impact to create a positive work environment.
Positive about change and able to cope well with ambiguity and support others in doing so.
Willingly shares knowledge and experience for the benefit and growth of the team.
Actively work towards continuing personal learning and development and apply newly acquired skills.
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive constructive attitude.
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.
Solicits feedback from co-workers about the impact of his/her behavior.

Competencies and values

Must have a passion for disciplining children and young adults from challenging backgrounds.
Must have a love for work in the market garden operation
Must be willing and capable of training others in the proper operation of a poultry operation.
Must have a servant’s heart
Must have the ability to plan well
Must have the ability to lead workers well by example
Must have a desire to submit to the authority of those above you
Must have good communication skills
Must be honest and trustworthy
Must be a hard worker and self-motivated
Must be an innovative thinker
Must be willing to try new ideas
Level of Contact with Children:

High Level: Regular contact with secondary school-age children and young adults.