Job Summary

Our client, who operates in the agribusiness and agricultural infrastructure development industry, is seeking an experienced Technical Director to lead end-to-end engineering, construction, and asset management across large-scale farm and agriculture infrastructure projects. The Technical Director will be responsible for providing strategic and operational leadership for project execution, ensuring timely delivery within approved CAPEX, adherence to quality, health and safety regulations, and compliance with ESG and statutory requirements. The role will oversee multidisciplinary engineering teams, contractors, and stakeholders to ensure long-term operational reliability and sustainability of infrastructure supporting plantation and agri-business operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide overall technical and engineering leadership for agriculture infrastructure, farm development, and operational facilities projects.
  

• Lead and manage the project management and engineering teams responsible for construction of farm infrastructure, internal roads, bridges, irrigation, drainage, sewage systems, offices, housing, industrial and operational facilities, power generation, refrigeration, and transmission systems.
  

• Oversee civil, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, automation, instrumentation, and architectural planning functions across all projects.
  

• Develop and approve project execution plans, engineering designs, drawings, schedules, and GANTT charts.
  

• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within scope, budget, and approved CAPEX.
  

• Monitor project progress, identify risks or delays, and implement corrective actions as required.
  

• Coordinate closely with Procurement to ensure timely availability of materials, equipment, and services.
  

• Work with Finance on budgeting, cost control, forecasting, milestone payments, and financial reporting.
  

• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure timely onboarding and effective deployment of technical resources.
  

• Manage contractors, consultants, and vendors, including defining scope of work, performance standards, and timelines.
  

• Certify contractor work completion, monitor performance, and recommend payments based on progress and quality of work.
  

• Ensure full compliance with Tanzanian construction laws, environmental regulations, safety standards, and statutory approvals.
  

• Liaise with government authorities, regulators, and consultants to secure permits, approvals, and certifications.
  

• Establish and oversee asset management, preventive maintenance, and breakdown maintenance programs to ensure optimal asset reliability and uptime.
  

• Drive adoption of automation, instrumentation, irrigation technologies, and modern agricultural engineering solutions to improve operational efficiency.
  

• Enforce strict Health, Safety, Environment (HSE) standards with zero tolerance for violations and integrate ESG principles into all projects.
  

• Establish and enforce Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) systems across all engineering and construction activities.
  

• Review and approve method statements, material submittal, test reports, certifications, and as-built drawings.
  

• Lead, mentor, and develop technical and project management teams while building internal capability and succession planning.
  

• Provide regular progress, cost, risk, and compliance reports to senior management and maintain accurate project documentation.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or Agricultural Engineering.
  

• Postgraduate qualification is preferred.
  

• Advanced certification in Project Management, Engineering Management, or Six Sigma is an added advantage.
  

• Minimum of 15–20 years’ experience in large-scale agricultural infrastructure, farm development, industrial, or infrastructure projects, preferably within Africa.
  

• Proven experience leading large multidisciplinary engineering and project management teams.
  

• Strong technical exposure to irrigation and drainage systems, automation and instrumentation, and complex project management environments.
  

• Demonstrated track record in CAPEX management, asset reliability, maintenance planning, and operational excellence.
  

• Experience working with contractors, consultants, suppliers, and government authorities.
  

• Strong knowledge of Tanzanian construction regulations, environmental standards, and statutory approval processes.
  

• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
  

• High level of integrity, accountability, and commitment to safety, quality, and ESG principles.