Agricultural Production Officer, St Helena Government

£40,000 + Benefits - Two Year Fixed Term Contract

A self-governing overseas territory of the United Kingdom, St Helena is an island of 47 square miles and around 4,000 people in the South Atlantic. With Cape Town in South Africa some 1,700 miles distant, the Islanders enjoy a unique lifestyle in truly unspoilt, friendly and peaceful surroundings.

St Helena is poised for the biggest transformation in the island’s history, with the imminent construction of an airport. The next three years will see St Helena Government implement a number of reforms necessary to open the island’s economy to inward investment and increased tourism. Reporting directly to the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Agricultural Production Officer will play a key role in developing increased requirements to encourage higher levels of local production supporting increased Island needs.

The Role:

  • Support the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources to design policies, processes and practices to significantly stimulate agricultural activities on the Island in conjunction with reviewing research and statistics on changing Island demographics;
  • Contribute to the formulation of a food security policy framework for the Island and develop supporting agricultural policies to underpin this framework;
  • Produce a 10 year production plan with projections for agricultural product needs taking into consideration the implications of improved access to St Helena on population growth, structure and economic profiles and their potential impact on agriculture.

The Person:

  • Qualified to degree level in agriculture majoring in crop or livestock disciplines, you will possess significant experience in agribusiness at a senior level including policy development and managing operations relevant to agricultural planning and business;
  • With a strong track record gained advising on a range of methods, you will ensure expert advice for arable and livestock production including the financial implications and options available for sourcing infrastructure associated with various production options;
  • A team player with strong interpersonal skills, you will possess excellent oral and written communication ability and ideally understand working overseas in a small state or Island setting;

Benefits for this post include:

  • Paid flights and sea passages to and from post and for mid-tour leave
  • 30 days annual leave, not including travel to/from home country
  • Relocation allowance
  • Pension contribution of 7.5%
  • Rental allowance

Closing date for applications is 12 September 2011.