The Louis Berger Group seeks a Postharvest Technologist/Physiologist (PHT) for an ongoing USAID agribuisness program in Iraq.
Position description:
The position of Postharvest Technologist/Physiologist (PHT) will be oriented mostly to the annual and perennial horticulture sectors I the program. These are associated with the value chain starting at the market back to the farm gate. The PHT will participate as a member of the team of agriculture engineers, agriculture production specialists, marketing specialists, and business specialists who develop a system where fruits and vegetables are harvested, processed and marketed with the highest value added achieved, the postharvest losses are minimized, and products are packaged as required to achieve the results of Inma.
The three main objectives of applying postharvest technology to harvested fruits and vegetables are:
1) to maintain quality (appearance, texture, flavor and nutritive value)
2) to protect food safety, and
3) to reduce losses (both physical and in market value) between harvest and consumption.
There are many interacting steps involved in any postharvest system. Produce is often handled by many different people, transported and stored repeatedly between harvest and consumption. While particular practices and the sequence of operations will vary for each crop, there is a general series of steps in postharvest handling systems that are often followed.
Harvesting and preparation for market
Curing root, tuber and bulb crops
Packinghouse operations
Packing and packaging materials
Decay and insect control
Temperature and relative humidity control
Storage of horticultural crops
Transportation of horticultural crops
Handling at destination
Demonstrated knowledge in these steps and experience in applying them in developing countries is required of the PHT.
Position Responsibilities: Responsible for providing advice and direction to in the value chains relating to Iraqi development of commercial production and sales of field crops selected for development. Of special note is the participation in:
• Designing such facilities as packing houses, market centers, cold chain design and operations, packaging and boxing for field transport, pack house processing center transport to market, and packaging and storage in markets. • Advising on appropriate quality standards for each major point along the value chain • Developing and promoting new value products • Assisting in the development of training and extension programs in postharvest technology • Developing the components of the cold chain including packing house, pre-cooler, cold storage, refrigerated transport and refrigerated stalls and chillers. • Development of cooling protocols for each crop going into the cold chain. • May be required to supervise one or more technicians • Be a project director for selected projects as assigned by the PHT supervisor.
Term of Assignment:
Minimum of one year with extension options.
Qualifications:
A M.S. degree with emphasis on postharvest technology on horticulture crops or 10 years of applied field work on postharvest technology is a minimum. At least 5 years of work on post harvest systems in developing countries is required.
Working experience in conflict areas such as Iraq is a plus. Being conversant in Arabic is also a plus but is not required.
Interested applicants should submit resumes and professional references to . Due to heavy volume of submissions, only qualified candidates will be contacted for further interview.
