Natural Resource Management Specialist 126 views2 applications

Farm Africa drives agricultural and environmental change to improve lives. We are a specialist development NGO working with smallholder farmers, forest communities, local government and private sectors across East Africa for the last 30 years. With community engagement underpinning our approach, we design and implement sustainable solution to rural poverty based on evidence and best practices. In 2015 we reached approximately 1.8 million pastoralists, agro-pastoralists, farmers and forest dwellers in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Farm Africa has worked in Ethiopia for over 28 years, throughout Oromia, SNNPR, Benishangul, Tigray and Afar regions. With funding from a range of institutional donors and foundations including DFID, EU, Irish Aid, Royal Norwegian Embassy, Comic Relief, Barr Foundation, and Ashden Charitable Trust, we have implemented a large portfolio of projects primarily focusing on three areas: agriculture (crop and livestock production), natural resource management, and market engagement. We implement projects directly with communities and these three approaches are further enhanced with integration of cross cutting issues such as climate change, gender and capacity building.

With almost 100 staffs in Ethiopia we align our work closely with regional and local government, civil society and the private sector. In addition to directly implementing projects within our core thematic expertise, we build local civil society organizations (CSOs) both to enhance development impact at community level and increase accountability and professional project management. As such Farm Africa directly contributes to the government of Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan and implementing its climate resilient green economy (CRGE) strategy.

The ‘Livelihood Promotion and Resilience Building of host and refugee communities in the Dollo Ado area of the Somali Region’ project is a resilience project initiated by group of NGOs with the objective of reducing food aid dependence and fostering development of a system of sustainable livelihoods and incomes for vulnerable refugee and host communities in Dollo Ado area of the Somali Regional state. It forms part of a bigger project called ‘Innovative Approaches to Building Resilience for Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia’ led by WFP and funded by SIDA.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Natural Resource Management Specialist (NRMS) will be based at Dollo Ado woreda, Somali Region. The purpose of NRM Specialist is to support food security and livelihood assistance of a bigger project called ‘Innovative Approaches to Building Resilience for Vulnerable Populations in Ethiopia’ led by WFP and funded by SIDA through provision of technical assistance and advice in the areas of participatory rangeland and forest management , watershed management, sustainable community water management system for livestock and Livestock productivity improvement (including forage development) and Small business group development.

The NRM Specialist works closely with the project team to achieve program synergy. She/he provides capacity building and technical assistance to the woreda agriculture office, refugee and host communities. She/he builds and maintains strategic partnerships with government technical bodies, other NGOs, civil society and the private sector, while ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of project efforts.

She/he works closely with community leaders, committees and local government development agents. She/he takes part in community meetings for information gathering and exchange and carries out participatory planning and support field implementation. She/he is responsible for the promotion of livestock health and production through the introduction of improved system and appropriate extension service including veterinary and other health services for improved livelihood of communities. She/he ensures the establishment of linkage between Pastoral and government veterinary services.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key areas of responsibilities are:

To work under the direction and guidance of the project coordinator,

• Consolidating and scaling up participatory rangeland management (PRM) and participatory forest management (PFM).
• Facilitate PRM/PFM investigations, negotiations and implementation, and formation of PRM/PFM union
• Strengthen established PRM cooperatives and their range/forest management activities,
• Support the implementation of watershed management in focal areas
• Kebele level participatory land use planning, and support Community water management platforms
• Promote Climate-smart agriculture such as agroforestry and 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
• Reduction of wood extraction: Establishment of Community Nursery and woodlots, popularization of fuel efficient stoves and support eco-charcoal producing groups
• Gender development for enhanced Natural Resource Management
• Organizes and coordinates capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, NRM/PAM, including experience sharing,  CBO Financial/organizational management, and GIS and database support
• 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;
• Prepares required reports on time, and of high quality that convey the NRM project component’s progress towards achieving best practices and impact in the targeted communities;
• 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;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

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.

PROJECT: Livelihood Promotion and Resilience Building of host and refugee communities in

REPORTS TO: Project Coordinator

DURATION & HOURS: Two years

Job Requirements

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education, qualifications & other knowledge

Essential

• BSc/BA or MSc/MA in Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Pastoral Development, Natural Resources Management, Rural Livelihoods and other related fields
• Knowledge of the development & policy environment in Ethiopia

Desirable

• MSc in Natural Resources Management or a related subject
• Awareness of broader trends in national and international policies related migration

 Experience

Essential

• 5 years for Bsc and 3 years for Msc practical experience working in natural resources management / climate change in similar organisations
• Practical experience in rural development, pastoralist and natural resources management, small business group development, agro-forestry and good knowledge of gender and social inclusiveness.
• Experience of project planning ,implementation and monitoring and evaluation

Desirable

• Previous NGO work experience in rural development, particularly in refugee areas

Skills & abilities

• Skilled in NRM approaches including participatory rangeland management, participatory NRM, sustainable development, early warning and climate information systems
• Skilled in NRM approaches including participatory rangeland management, participatory NRM, sustainable development, early warning and climate information systems

• Computer literacy, excellent record keeping and report writing
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Teamwork skills and the ability to work in a multi partner approach
• Skills in gender based analysis and approaches
• 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 (Somali)

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 NRM Specialist for LPRB Project by December 30, 2018. 

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.