Senior Field Project Assistant 74 views0 applications

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts,  campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

Our Team

AGRA project team is responsible to facilitate, coordinate and lead AGRA consortium for smooth implementation of all AGRA project activities and manage grantees. The team is responsible for higher level capacity building and system establishment for smooth implementation of AGRA project. Moreover, the team will organize joint field monitoring visits, and undertake regular review of reports coming from partners. The team also coordinate regional technical committee meetings, organize multi-stakeholder meetings and facilitate linkages with regional, academic and research institutes in soliciting required experts and other necessary support for smooth project implementation. Engage in networking with academic and research institutes in the region throughout the project implementation in a sustainable manner. The team will provide support in policy brief preparation based on evidence-based research and/or implementation on the ground. Since Oxfam is consortium lead, AGRA team is a channel of communication between the donor and consortium members. The project team play a major role in the management and coordination role of relevant stakeholders to ensure the smooth running of the project.

Job Purpose

By closely working with the AGRA Senior Value Chain Officer, the Senior Field Project Assistant provides overall technical guidance and support as well as liaise with other relevant governmental and non-governmental actors (such as Farmer Organizations, cooperatives and unions, local partners, regional and national government departments, micro-finance institutes, private agro-dealers, Small and Micro Enterprises, trade associations, private sector including the four crops value chain actors) in relation to successful implementation of the project.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

 

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

 

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. 

Key Responsibilities   

• Support the coordination of Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) project field activities with consortium members, other partners, NGOs, local community and relevant government departments.
• Collaborate with Agri-Service Ethiopia (ASE) and South Ethiopia People’s Development Association (SEPDA) field officers who jointly work to improve the production and marketing of the selected value chain crops of the project.
• Support in the facilitation of documentation of cases for changes occurring in the production level of wheat, teff, maize and haricot bean value chain.
• Support in maintaining working relations with relevant government line sector offices and private sector / research institutions to support the adoption and uptake of innovations and/or approaches in agriculture value chain development.
• Take part in the development and implementation of capacity building and innovative training approaches for the promotion of value chains.
• Participate in developing an annual plan of activity for the participatory technology development and building on local strength to address the shortcomings within the local farming systems.as guided by the project design and approved activities.
• Support ASE and SEPDA on mapping of SMEs, private traders, off-takers of wheat, maize, teff and haricot bean and connect with project target farmers.
• Assist the assessment of the major constraints affecting crop value chains and identify potential development opportunities and approaches to overcome these constraints in line with Oxfam approach.
• Support in the identification of training needs of value chain actors of the four crops at various levels and facilitate trainings, and document outcome and farmer adoption levels.
• Support in the facilitation of training programs, discussion forums and platforms organized by Oxfam – arranging training venues, circulating invitation letter and documentation.
• Assist in the identification of field agriculture inputs requirements for the operations.
• Assist in project monitoring and learning within the specified timelines.
• Reporting and documenting on work done on monthly and quarterly basis.
• And any other duty that may be assigned by AGRA Senior Value Chain Officer.

Other

• Required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and valuesas well as the promotion of gender justice and women’s rights
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety and staff health and wellbeing principles.

Job Requirements

Essential

• Bachelor (BA) or Diploma in Agricultural Extension and Rural development, Agronomy/Plant Sciences, Livelihood, General Agriculture or related field from a recognized university/collage.
• Relevant experience of 2-3 years for BA holders or 4-6 years for Diploma holders, preferably in agricultural extension, rural development, technology dissemination, input supply system, agricultural marketing, capacity building, in a large organization like Oxfam.
• Experience in communicating with wide range of partners (government, CBOs, NGOs, community representatives and private sector).
• Good knowledge and understanding of national and regional agricultural system, livelihood policies, strategies, programmes, development approaches and guidelines.
• Experience in market-based initiatives, working in agricultural (crops) value chain development, community economic empowerment.
• Analytical and strategic planning skills including experience in project implementation and monitoring and working in partnership with other organizations.
• Good knowledge and experience in promoting gender equality in the programme areas.
• Good written and spoken English with excellent report writing skills and knowledge of local language.
• Good computer skills (MS-word, MS-Excel, MS-Power Point and use of Email and Internet).

 Desirable

• Experience of developing collaborative relationships and partnerships with civil society, government and the private sector.
• Sympathy with the aims and objectives of Oxfam and commitment to agricultural and food security principles and action.
• Diplomacy, team building, representation, negotiation skills. This should include experience in working with partners and other stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with respect to diversity and that can be role model to staff and partners.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences, and the ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
• Ability to effectively co-ordinate a wide range of people with strong observance of socio-cultural values and harmonize their collaboration with a background.
• Able to work with minimum supervision and provide solutions to problems as they arise.
• Ability to ensure women benefit and increase women’s participation in the project equally as men.
• Ability to work as a team, support others, mutual accountability.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines and achieve results.
• Good organizational skill.
• Participatory approach and multi-tasking.
• Ability of one or more regional language.

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to undertake Oxfam’s safeguarding training and adherence of relevant policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Organisational Values

• Accountability– Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment– Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness– We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Note to candidates: Shortlisted candidates will be assessed on our organisational values and attributes at the interview stage. The successful candidate(s) will be expected to adhere to our code of conduct. We encourage candidates to read and understand our code of conduct here.