SENIOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST

 POST 25/09 : SENIOR AGRICULTURAL ECONOMIST REF NO: 3/2/1/2022/416 Directorate: Marketing 

SALARY : R477 090 per annum (Level 10) 

CENTRE : Gauteng (Pretoria) 

REQUIREMENTS : Applicants must be in possession of a Grade 12 Certificate and a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics / Economics. 3 years’ supervisory experience in Agricultural Environment. Job related knowledge: Knowledge and understanding of the Marketing Strategy for the Republic of South Africa and its programs. Understanding of the market linkage program. Knowledge of international trade agreements. Knowledge and understanding of food safety standards, legislation and certification programs. General knowledge of import and export procedures and applicable international trade agreements. Knowledge of the Customs and Excise Act, Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) Act, Marketing of Agricultural Products Act, Agricultural Products Standards Act and Agri-BEE Sector Code. Ability to interpret trade agreements and make recommendations. Ability to analyse and interpret the utilisation of import and export quotas. Job related skills: Reporting procedures, Planning and organising skills, Analytical and innovative thinking skills, Submission and report writing skills (develop memoranda, letters and submissions), Human resource management skills and capabilities. Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision and under pressure. Willingness to travel extensively. A valid driver’s license. 

DUTIES : Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of market access linkages with major players in different agricultural commodities value chains. Develop plans to support the implementation of liking farmers to market program in order to ensure the projects operational efficiency and effectiveness. Continuously investigate marketing gaps experienced by resource poor producers to successfully link with markets and implement plans to close the gaps. Implement and monitor measures aimed at removing constraints that limit smallholder producers from meaningfully accessing and utilising available formal markets by the established sector. Implement strategies to enhance access to post-harvest infrastructures by small-scale producers through establishing market access linkages on targeted marketing supply chains. Co-ordinate investigations into market requirements and publish the information to facilitate access by Human Development Index (HDI). Facilitate compliance to food safety standards and requirements by producers and processors of agricultural products to enhance market access. Co-ordinate the implementation of the preferential market access program. Maintenance of norms and standards for the allocation of permits in line with the AgriBEE Charter. Provide leadership in administration of certain Southern African Development Community (SADC), European Union (EU), Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique (SACUM) and the United Kingdom (UK) EPA, World Trade Organisation (WTO) and African Growth Opportunities Act (AGOA) market access import and export quotas in terms of applicable trade agreements by means of issuing rebate permits. Provide guidance on the monitoring and the utilisation of permits and quotas. Ensure compliance to permit conditions. Direct the administration, recording and monitoring of payment fees for import and export permits. Enhance participation of new and Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) traders in the rebate schemes. Co-ordinate an awareness campaign on compliance to BEE sector codes by beneficiaries of the Department’s preferential market access program. Render administrative activities that involve the writing of correspondences such as submissions, memoranda and letters, report writing as well as management of key critical records. Render administrative support service that involves the writing of correspondences such as submissions, memoranda, briefing notes, letters and reports as well as management of key critical records. Management of risk with regard to security of confidential information, handling of sensitive information, control of access to offices as well as security of office equipments (furniture, stationery and computer, etc). Manage and facilitate the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing equitable participation in key agricultural commodity marketing value chains, particularly by agrarian reform beneficiaries. Coordinate the implementation of Codes of Best Practices (CoBP) at various National Fresh Produce Markets (NFPMs). Facilitate the establishment and maintenance of market access linkages with NFPMs to enhance participation in the NFPMs. Manage and facilitate the implementation of projects aimed at enhancing equitable participation in NFPMs particularly by agrarian reform beneficiaries. 

ENQUIRIES : Mr S. Manthata Tel No: (012) 319 8208 

APPLICATIONS : Applications can be submitted by post to: Private Bag X833, Pretoria, 0001 or hand delivered to: 184 Jeff Masemola Street (formerly known as Jacob Mare), corner of Jeff Masemola and Paul Kruger Streets, Pretoria or to Agriculture Place, 20 Steve Biko (formerly Beatrix) Street, Arcadia, Pretoria, 0001. 

NOTE : Coloured, Indian and White Males and Coloured, Indian and White Females and Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Closing date 22 July 2022 at 16:00