Agronomist Officer

Programme & Policy

Overview

Engage communities to promote agricultural activities and training.

You have:

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or Agriculture Extension
• Minimum 2-3 years of progressive work experience in roles related to food security, livelihoods, agricultural extension, value chain, and marketing projects
• Demonstrated experience in agricultural marketing, business linkages, and delivery of field-level extension activities
• Proven ability to organize and deliver training sessions; training received in related subjects is a plus
• Experience in developing agriculture/horticulture-based training curricula, agriculture value chain, marketing, and business development
• Familiarity with facilitating agricultural extension methodologies, especially Farmers Field School (FFS) and Self-help Groups
• Understanding of research and survey methodologies, with the ability to design and implement food security and nutrition surveys, value chain studies, and market assessments
• Proficient in spoken and written in English, Pashto, and Dari languages
• Strong report-writing skills

Job Description

Main Purpose of the Job :

The Agronomist/Agriculturist Officer will actively engage with targeted communities to promote understanding and support for agricultural-related activities including horticulture, Farmer Field Schools (FFS), and kitchen gardening. The primary responsibility involves mobilizing target communities, building capacity through regular counseling and training, and collecting community mobilization data. The role aims to facilitate a broader understanding of the needs and opportunities related to agriculture. The Agronomist/Agriculturist Officer will be responsible for data collection and analysis, delivering quality agricultural-related training, and providing detailed reports.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Community Mobilization and Capacity Building: - Mobilize target communities for active participation in agricultural activities. - Conduct regular counseling sessions and training programs to enhance community capacity. 2. Agro-Related Project Support: - Facilitate a broader understanding of agricultural activities such as horticulture, FFS, and kitchen gardening. - Collect, analyze, and report on data related to agro-based initiatives. 3. Data Collection and Analysis: - Conduct thorough data collection on agricultural practices and community needs. - Analyze data to inform programmatic decisions and improvements. 4. Training Delivery: - Organize and deliver high-quality agricultural-related training sessions. - Ensure that training aligns with the needs and context of the target communities. 5. Reporting: - Prepare comprehensive reports on community mobilization, training activities, and project progress. - Provide regular updates to the Provincial Program Manager and other relevant stakeholders.

Duties & Responsibilities:

6. Sustainable Land Management: - Conduct comprehensive studies on sustainable land management. - Develop actionable plans for agro-based interventions based on study findings. 7. Technical Support and Extension Services: - Provide technical support and input to farmers, farmer groups, and cooperatives. - Deliver agricultural extension services to optimize the production and handling of high-value agricultural and horticultural commodities. 8. Agricultural Training and Technology Transfer: - Facilitate training sessions for farmers on innovative agricultural technology. - Implement Farmer Field School (FFS) principles through field visits, fostering hands-on learning. 9. Poultry Production and Women's Training: - Conduct specialized training for female beneficiaries in poultry production. - Oversee the effective implementation of poultry activities. 10. Development of Agricultural Standards: - Lead the development of standardized agricultural technical guidelines. - Create comprehensive training manuals and tools for effective implementation. 11. Establishment of Farmers Field Schools (FFS) and Resources Committee: - Establish and manage Farmers Field Schools and Resources Committees. - Train members on advanced production methodologies and community-based natural resources management (CBNRM). 12. Demonstration Farming and Comparative Trials: - Develop and maintain a demonstration farm for participatory trials and research. - Showcase comparative results of improved agro-based production methodologies to FFS members. 13. Distribution of Agro-Inputs and Technical Support: - Ensure meticulous selection of households and FFS members. - Distribute agro-inputs for FFS/demonstrational plots, providing necessary technical support. 14. Market Linkages and Income Generation: - Foster connections between farmers, kitchen gardeners, poultry and livestock beneficiaries, and local markets. - Collaborate with Community Development Committees (CDCs) for joint agro-production to generate income. 15. Value Chain and Market Assessment: - Conduct thorough value chain and market assessments. - Identify potential farming groups and FFSs. - Formulate and execute value chain and marketing projects. 16. Collaboration with Dairy Farms: - Foster collaboration with existing dairy farms. - Facilitate the integration of female livestock beneficiaries into established dairy farming systems. 17. Content Development and Training Materials: - Design and develop comprehensive training manuals, presentations, and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials. 18. Field Monitoring, Documentation, and Reporting: - Undertake frequent field visits to monitor progress. - Document lessons learned and best practices. - Collect, compile, and analyze Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) data. - Prepare and submit detailed progress reports. 19. Communication and Coordination: - Maintain regular and effective communication and coordination with the project team, district authorities, and community elders. - Actively participate in meetings, organize joint field visits, and submit timely reports. 20. Training for Extension Staff: - Conduct essential training for district and provincial extension staff involved in the project. - Enhance their skills and capacity to implement demonstration and FFS. 21. Review of Operational Strategies and Implementation Guidelines: - Regularly review operational strategies and implementation guidelines for demonstration plots and FFS in collaboration with project staff. 22. Assessment Visits and Technical Support: - Organize necessary field visits to schemes with established demonstration plots and FFS. - Assess progress and provide essential technical support to farmers and district extension staff. 23. Soil Fertility and Agronomic Recommendations: - Offer informed recommendations to farmers for improving soil fertility. - Advise on irrigated agronomic measures, including raised-bed furrow irrigation, fertilizer application rates and methods, and water-saving practices for increased crop production. 24. Intern Training: - Facilitate training sessions for university and Agriculture department interns, focusing on the principles of FFS. 25. Other Duties: - Perform any other duties assigned by the line supervisor.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, or Agriculture Extension. 2. Minimum 2-3 years of progressive work experience in roles related to food security, livelihoods, agricultural extension, value chain, and marketing projects with UN agencies, INGOs, or Afghan NGOs. 3. Demonstrated experience in agricultural marketing, business linkages, and delivery of field-level extension activities. 4. Proven ability to organize and deliver training sessions; training received in related subjects is a plus. 5. Experience in developing agriculture/horticulture-based training curricula, agriculture value chain, marketing, and business development. 6. Familiarity with facilitating agricultural extension methodologies, especially Farmers Field School (FFS) and Self-help Groups, with a demonstrated ability to conduct participatory research and technology development, including the establishment of Demonstration Farms. 7. Understanding of research and survey methodologies, with the ability to design and implement food security and nutrition surveys, value chain studies, and market assessments. 8. Proficient in spoken and written in English, Pashto, and Dari languages. 9. Strong report-writing skills.

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Potential interview questions

Added 1 year ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: rescue.org