The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) Is Hiring Farm Assistants Now!

The Agricultural Research Council (ARC) invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for their Farm Assistants: Facilities Vacancies (Posts available). The closing date for applications is 13 February 2026, so if you have farm experience, basic building skills, or you are comfortable working outdoors, this is a strong opportunity to apply before applications close.

This role is based at ARC – Tropical & Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC) in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, which is one of South Africa’s important research and farming environments. If you want to work for a respected organisation that supports agriculture in South Africa, this is the type of job that can give you stability and experience.

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About the Agricultural Research Council (ARC)

The Agricultural Research Council is one of the key institutions in South Africa responsible for agricultural research and development. ARC supports farming, food production, crop improvement, and agricultural innovation.

This means when you work at ARC, you’re not just working “on a farm”. You’re working in a professional environment where farming is done with planning, systems, and standards. It’s a great opportunity for someone who wants to build a proper career in agriculture and farm operations.

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Job Title and Work Location

• Job Title: Farm Assistants: Facilities
• Organisation: Agricultural Research Council (ARC)
• Division: Tropical & Subtropical Crops (ARC-TSC)
• Location: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga
• Closing Date: 13 February 2026

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What This Job is About

As a Farm Assistant: Facilities, you will support farm and facility operations. That means you’ll help with general farm duties, maintenance support, and manual tasks that help the farm run smoothly.

This job is suitable for someone who is:

• physically fit
• able to follow instructions
• responsible with tools
• willing to work outside in different weather conditions
• serious about health and safety rules

ARC is looking for a person who is hardworking and dependable, because farm work requires consistency. You cannot be the type who disappears or works slowly. You need energy and discipline.

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Key Duties and Responsibilities

If you are appointed, you will be responsible for duties such as:

Farm Practices and General Farm Work

You will:

• carry out daily farm practices as directed by the farm manager or researchers
• support crop-related work when instructed
• assist with tasks linked to the farming environment

This means you’ll work closely with the team and be expected to follow directions properly.

Tool and Equipment Use

You will:

• use tools and farm equipment correctly
• take care of equipment issued to you
• ensure tools are cleaned and stored properly after use

You don’t need to be an expert mechanic, but you must understand that equipment must be treated with care.

Manual Work and Support Tasks

You will:

• perform manual tasks assigned by supervisors
• assist where extra hands are needed on site
• help with general maintenance support

This is a hands-on job, so you should be ready to do real physical work.

Health and Safety Compliance

ARC takes safety very seriously. You will:

• follow Occupational Health and Safety procedures
• wear correct protective clothing (PPE)
• obey instructions related to safe use of equipment and materials

If you ignore safety rules, you can put yourself and others in danger, so ARC wants people who respect rules.

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Minimum Requirements (What You Need to Qualify)

To be considered, you must meet these requirements:

• Grade 10
• At least 2 years experience OR exposure to a fruit farming environment
• Understanding of basic agricultural practices
• Basic knowledge of manual operation of farm equipment and machinery
• Good communication skills (written and verbal)
• Good understanding of health and safety procedures
• Willingness to work under adverse weather conditions (heat, rain, cold)

✅ Added advantage:

• Experience in construction work such as:
  • plumbing
  • carpentry
  • building and general repairs

If you have any of these skills, even if you learned them informally (like assisting builders), you should include it clearly in your CV.

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Salary / Remuneration

ARC states that they offer a competitive remuneration package, which will match:

• the responsibilities of the job
• the scope and level of the position

So while the advert doesn’t list a fixed salary, you can expect it to be fair based on the role.

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Employment Equity

ARC supports Employment Equity and:

• preference will be given to designated groups
• appointment is based on ARC’s Employment Equity Plan

The ARC is also an equal opportunity employer.

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How to Apply

To apply for this ARC Farm Assistant job, you must submit a full application with documents. Incomplete applications will not be considered, so make sure your paperwork is correct.

You must submit:

• A covering letter
• A detailed CV
• At least three (3) recent contactable referees
• Certified copies of certificates
• Supporting documents
• Copy of driver’s license

✅ Foreign qualifications:
If you have a qualification from another country, you must include a SAQA evaluation report.

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Security Clearance and Probation

Please note:

• Appointment will depend on a positive security clearance
• Permanent appointments are subject to 6 months probation
• ARC has the right not to appoint anyone

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Enquiries

If you have questions, contact:

Mr G Lubisi
📧 Email: LubisiG@arc.agric.za

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Closing Date

✅ Closing Date: 13 February 2026

Apply early so your documents can be checked and submitted properly.

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