Community Development Facilitator (CDF) 59 views0 applications

Farm Africa, founded in 1985, is an international non-governmental organization working in Ethiopia since 1988. We drive agricultural and environmental change to improve lives. Our strategy has three pillars: agricultural expertise, management and preservation of ecosystems, and the power of business to drive prosperity. We believe Africa has the power to feed itself and are helping make this happen by establishing and spreading the best farming and forestry techniques so that poor farmers and herders have more food to feed their families and to sell. We help smallholders manage their natural resources sustainably so that they can withstand climate change challenges and shocks and ensure their families have enough food in the future as well as now. Farm Africa works in partnership with communities, government, local and international organizations, and the private sector to innovate, learn and share best practices for maximum impact of our projects

BACKGROUND

Farm Africa is implementing a large number of projects/programmes in the areas of agriculture (crop and livestock), natural resources management and market engagement across Ethiopia. We are increasingly designing and implementing complex and integrated multi-sector projects, some by ourselves and others in partnership with like-minded organizations in the form of consortium.

Currently, Farm Africa is implementing SIDA funded programme in partnership with SOS Sahel Ethiopia, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Population, Health & Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE EC) and Sustainable Environment and Development Action (SEDA, MELCA and TechnoServe) in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) and Majang Forest Biosphere of Ethiopia. The programme is implemented in different woredas of Oromiya, SNNP and Gambella Regional States.

The G4F II programme will test and demonstrate interventions in an integrated multi-sectorial landscape approach, to show how improved management of the environment will provide multiple socio-economic and ecological benefits in a way this ensures resilient and sustainable development. As the project follows an integrated and multi-sectorial landscape approach it focuses on Community-based NRM, agriculture, food security/livelihood, market development; water resources management, irrigation and landscape management; Social, economic and environmental programmes, behaviour change and policy influencing as well as environmental conservation, improved agriculture, women’s empowerment, agricultural value chains and disaster risk management.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) will be based in a specific project Woreda and community work under the direction and guidance of the Project Coordinator and field team. The Community Development Facilitator will be responsible for the implementation of the Majang project activities at the community level.

The CDF is responsible for the overall implementation of project activities at community level with the participation of the community, CBOs, local government and other stakeholders. The CDF bridges the link between the project field team and the communities and local government representatives and engage in community/institutional capacity building activities

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key roles and responsibilities are:

Implement Project Activities at Community Level

• Work together with the project team and government partners to achieve the project outputs/outcomes at his/her specific woreda
• Facilitate the targeting task of project intervention areas and beneficiaries
• Facilitate the establishment of Participatory Forest management (PFM) CBOs
• Facilitate Forest Management Agreement signing between each CBO and the respective government office together with field teams and partners
• Provide training to PFM CBOs
• Participate in the assessments, studies, surveys, monitoring, review and evaluation activities at the community level
• Facilitate field visits, experience sharing visits at the community level
• Support to identify training needs, prepare training materials, and deliver training, business plan development and other services to CBOs and unions
• Ensure adequate consultation and participation of Woreda and village/community level stakeholders ensuring active participation of women
• With support of the field technical team, provide expertise and advice for community institutions/Organizations on gender mainstreaming in the project scheme
• Facilitate community meetings, dialogues among others, discuss modalities within CBOs
• Prepare progress reports and updates timely

Support and Facilitate Community/institutional Capacity Building Activities

• Facilitate periodical capacity assessment of CBOs by collecting data using the Organizational and Managerial Capacity Assessment  Tool (OCAT)
• Ensure implementation of these capacity building plans (including, among others, technical support) in close collaboration with the field technical experts and Woreda level Cooperative Promotion Office.

Play an Active Role as a Member of the Farm Africa Project Team

• Act as an active member of the project team by identifying and exploring opportunities to improve project implementation and guarantee it’s sustainability
• Contribute to the implementation of Farm Africa’s strategy
• Participate in broader Farm Africa meetings with other project staff members, as requested by line manager

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

DURATION & HOURS: Three years with probation period of 45 days

Job Requirements

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Qualifications & other knowledge

Essential

• BSc or diploma in Forestry, NRM, rural development or related fields
• Knowledge of Participatory Forest Management (PFM), landscape, watershed management
• Good understanding and firm belief in gender equality and issues in rural communities

Desirable

• Training on Participatory Forest Management (PMF), NRM, Land scape and Watershed management approaches
• Training on participatory learning and action or PRA

Experience

Desirable

• Three Years work experience in Participatory Forest Management (PFM), NRM, landscape, watershed management in similar organisations
• Experience in the area of organizational capacity building of community based institutions/Organizations
• Experience with grassroots NGOs and/or communities in Ethiopia
• Demonstrable experience of participatory development approach
• Experience with participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools

Desirable

• Work experience in the CRV Biosphere
• Experience in establishing CBOs, groups and building their capacity
• Willingness to working rural areas

Skills & Abilities

• Very good English language skills (written and spoken)
• Fluent in local languages of the region/area
• Motor cycle driving license
• Computer literacy, record keeping and report writing
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to work and travel in hardship areas
• Ability to identify problems and solve complex issues
• Network and excellent relationship with government partners and other stakeholders

Our VALUES

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.

GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.

BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.

How to Apply

Those who meet the above requirements should submit their short CV (maximum of 3 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 1 page) addressing [email protected] with the subject Community Development Facilitator for CRV Project of G4FII by March 21, 2019.

Documents cannot be returned and due to large number of applications, only short listed candidates will be contacted. Applications are especially welcomed from female applicants.