Crop and Livestock Specialist 89 views2 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 overall responsibility of the position holder is to coordinate planning and execution of climate resilient agricultural/livelihood (crop & Livelihood) and marketing related activities of the project. He/she will be specifically responsible in planning, execution of capacity building trainings, facilitate input supply, organize farmers groups, support VSLAs with technical advice, and provide technical support to government counterparts.

He/she ensures that communities are engaged in improved high value crop and livestock production, processing and marketing. In coordination with the project coordinator, he/she will ensure good partnership with government stakeholders, community members, CBOs, consortium partners, CSOs, private sectors and other relevant partners in the operational areas of the CRV project.

.KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key roles and responsibilities are:

• Take part in the assessments and surveys of crop and livestock related activities used for the planning and management purpose
• Assess and identify climate resilient agricultural activities and support
• Facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation of crop and livestock activities
• Promote Climate-smart agriculture such as improved agricultural practices and diversification where appropriate;
• Sustainable livestock management: Development of sustainable community water management system for livestock and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development)
• Small business group development: Beekeeping and honey production development, Women milk processing cooperatives, Goat husbandry cooperatives, Gum and resin production cooperatives, Livestock trading support, Business and product development training, Vegetable crops production support, Fruit trees development support, Establishing livestock marketing system, Support for community ecotourism development
• Organizes and coordinates capacity building trainings and workshop for beneficiaries, consortium partners, CBOs, private sectors on the improved agronomic and livestock practices and support.
• Facilitate market linkage of crop and livestock producing and marketing groups to  private sectors
• Identifies and promotes innovative livelihood programming approaches and interventions to achieve project objectives, and suited to the particular conditions and needs of diverse client groups in the operational areas;
• In collaboration with project staff and project coordinator and other stakeholders, ensures appropriate beneficiaries are targeted, trained and provided with proper inputs.
• Assess and monitor all services in terms of rate of return, unit costs, cost efficiency other relevant economic and financial methods and standard agricultural economics.
• Follow up & monitor implementation of livelihood activities as per the plans.
• Participate in assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes of the project activities.
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management.
• Ensure proper recording and documentation of best practices and success stories
• Ensure that the project implemented according to original plan and project proposal.
• Involve relevant government department staffs at various levels in the implementation of the project and aware them the progress.
• Monitor and document the project progress, lessons, good experience and impact with rural community specially men & women.
• Submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the project coordinator.
• Work closely with other Farm Africa staffs.
• Establish and maintain good working relationship with GO, Research institutions and community members.
• Provide regular technical support to community members/beneficiaries, extension workers, development facilitators, government staffs, private sectors and consortium partners on the crop and livestock activities
• Work in good partnership with all stakeholders of the project at community, woreda, zone and regional levels
• Prepares progress reports on time, and of high quality that focuses crop and livestock related activities;
• Ensures documentation of implantation processes, lessons learned and best practices in the project program component, and design strategies for replication/scaling-up tested approaches throughout the program, Farm Africa and beyond;
• Keeps up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples in-country and internationally, to ensure ongoing organizational and personal development and learning;
• 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/MSc in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics, Plant Sciences, General Agriculture, Livestock /Animal science and other related disciplines.
• Knowledge of the Agricultural development policy in Ethiopia
• Knowledge of  gender and social inclusiveness

Desirable

• Training on agricultural extension system
• Knowledge of the crop/livestock development

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in livelihood , crop and livestock development
• Practical experience of working on agricultural extension, crop and livestock development areas
• Experience of project planning ,implementation and monitoring and evaluation
• Experience working in the area of value chain and economic strengthening of rural community

Desirable

• Previous NGO work experience in agricultural ( crop & livestock development)

Skills & Abilities

• Very good English language skills (written and spoken)
• Motor cycle driving skill
• Computer literacy, excellent record keeping and report writing
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good team building skills and the ability to work in a multi partner approach
• Budget and financial management, training need assessment and training facilitation
• Willingness to reside in rural/marginal areas, ability to work with minimum supervision
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of Farm Africa
• Good community level facilitation and coordination skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of local language is advantageous

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 Crop/Livestock Specialist 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.