About Us

At Raising The Village (RTV), we are dedicated to eradicating ultra-poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa. As a dynamic, rapidly growing international development organization, we’ve assembled a team of over 350+ passionate individuals in Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC, alongside an additional 10+ professionals in North America. Together is committed to elevating communities out of ultra-poverty by implementing innovative solutions and leveraging advanced data analytics to drive impact.

Our holistic approach has positively impacted over 1 million lives since 2012, and we’re poised to achieve even greater milestones, aiming to assist 1 million individuals annually by 2027. Our growth and success are fueled by the invaluable support of global partners who share our vision of sustainable change. Learn more about our impactful programs at www.raisingthevillage.org

<... Venn department is the data and technology backbone of our organization, connecting advanced analytics and custom software tools with field implementation to ensure data-informed decision-making at every level.

Job Description

The Data Collector - Soil Assessment is responsible for conducting high-quality soil health assessments to support RTV’s Smart Agriculture interventions. This role requires field-based data collection, technical knowledge in soil analysis, equipment handling, and meaningful engagement with local communities. The contractor will lead soil data collection activities, support GPS-guided routing, ensure tool accountability, and uphold scientific and ethical standards during all stages of the survey process.

Responsibilities

1. Soil Sampling and Technical Fieldwork

• Conduct field surveys to collect soil samples using established protocols and safety guidelines.
• Identify, document, and interpret physical soil properties (e.g., texture, color, depth, stoniness).
• Use GPS devices to locate and log predefined soil base units, ensuring accurate geospatial mapping of sample sites.
• Perform soil scanner tests (where applicable) to assess pH, organic matter, and nutrient composition using the Agrocares soil scanner.

1. Data Collection and Management

• Accurately document all sample metadata, including location coordinates, depth, sample condition, and environmental notes.
• Input soil physical properties and field notes into RTV’s digital data tools (scanner app, survey form).
• Ensure data accuracy, completeness, and adherence to formatting requirements and submission timelines.

1. Field Logistics and Tool Management

• Manage RTV-issued field equipment, including soil scanners, augers, GPS units, sample bags, and protective gear.
• Ensure proper handling, care, and secure storage of all field tools during and after operations.

1. Community Engagement and Mobilization

• Liaise with community leadership (LCs, parish chiefs, and local agriculture officers) to introduce and explain the soil profiling activity, in support of the RTV Regional Agricultural Officer.
• Maintain respectful and trust-building interactions with all community stakeholders.

1. Training and Quality Assurance

• Participate in all training sessions on soil profiling, scanner usage, data entry, and field safety.
• Apply feedback and guidance from VENN and regional agriculture officers to improve data quality and compliance.

1. Technical Routing

• Lead GPS-based routing around soil-based units to ensure efficient field navigation and sample representativeness.

1. Other Duties

• Record qualitative observations related to soil condition, land use, and farming practices where applicable.
• Execute any additional tasks assigned by the VENN Officer to ensure smooth operations and survey success.

Education Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture with specialisation in Soil Science, Agronomy, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years of field experience in soil sampling and agricultural data collection.
• Familiarity with soil scanners, soil augers, GPS devices, and survey applications (ODK, Survey123).
• Ability to interpret basic soil characteristics and perform scanner-based soil analysis.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage respectfully with rural communities.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision in remote and dynamic field conditions.
• Team Coordination: Willingness to collaborate and align with the RTV field officers.