DISTRICT FIELD TECHNICIAN

Organizational Setting

FAO is implementing the project Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (ProDAI) of the Beira Corridor, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to contribute to reduce poverty and improve food and nutrition security through diversified, innovative, efficient, inclusive and sustainable food systems transformation in the central area of Mozambique.

This project is aligned with the UN Cooperation Framework and FAO Country Programming Framework priority on Economic Diversification and Sustainable Livelihoods, aiming at inclusive economic empowerment, through improved, diversified and climate adapted production and productivity in agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture. It will also directly contribute to the Strategic Program for the Development of Agrarian Sector and respective Investment Plan (PEDSA and PNISA).

The project outcome is that 3,000 farmers, members of Farmer Field Schools (FFS), achieve an annual income of 62,400MZN (minimum wage) from agriculture production and sale, from at least 3 different food crops, improving nutrition, marketing and agro processing. Fruit and vegetables will occupy 3,000 ha, contributing to restoration through the implementation of Agroforestry Systems, provision of extension and technical advisory services for the promotion of sustainable production systems.

The project is part of the Italian Cooperation envelope and will be implemented in close collaboration with other Italian funded interventions, public and private entities as well as civil society and local communities.

To this end, FAO intends to recruit District Field Technicians to implement the Participatory Extension action through Farmer Field School methodology to train smallholder farmers on vegetable and fruit production and facilitate access to inputs of quality through an e-voucher scheme. The posts are located in the districts of Manica, Sussundenga and Barue, in Manica provinces with the possibility to hire additional technicians for Dondo, Sofala province and Ribaue, Nampula provinces. District Field Technician will implement the activities at the field level in close collaboration with the technicians of the implementing partners under supervision of Provincial Farmer Field School Specialist, Hub Coordinator and Project Experts

Reporting Lines

The District Field Technician will report directly to the Hub Coordinator, in close collaboration with the Project Experts, under overall supervision of the Technical Advisor.

Technical Focus

Participatory extension methodologies, Farmer Field School, polycropping and agroforestry systems, production and marketing of fruits and vegetables, e-voucher, agri-business, nutrition and food safety.

Tasks and responsibilities

The District Field Technician will undertake the following tasks and responsibilities:

• Identify the beneficiary communities of the project in close collaboration with District Service of Economic Activities (SDAEs) • Liaise among communities with Hub Coordinator and other Project Experts the implementation of Project activities. • Coordinate with implementing partners the planning and execution of project activities at district levels. • Supervise the activities implemented by the partners, guaranteeing the celerity, quality and transparency, according to the plans and Agreements. • Interact as needed with SDAEs extensionist and other implementing partners. • Contact community leaders, encourage farmers to become group members and train famers on resilient and sustainable farming and agroforestry systems. • Participate in the planning meeting, implement, follow up, monitor and evaluate the project activities at district level in accordance with the programme M&E strategy. • Undertake collection and processing of data for georeferential monitoring, surveys, assessments, yield measurement and other project needs. • Identify farmers that meet with selection criteria and contribute with the Farmer Field School (FFS) Specialists to the organization of the training of farmer facilitators at district level. • Guide the establishment of FFS groups and facilitate weekly learning sessions. • Setup and moderate ordinary and extraordinary sessions of FFS network. • Encourage and support FFS to adopt nutrition-sensitive agricultural approaches/practices such as mixed and rotational cropping with legumes, bio-fortified crops. • Register beneficiary communities, groups and farmers into digital platforms as well as the activities carry out by the technicians and results achieved by the programme. • Conduct sensitization and registration of farmers into the voucher scheme and monitor agro dealers during the implementation of the activities. • Monitor the quality of agriculture inputs commercialized by agro dealers within the e-voucher scheme. • Provide support for the establishment of home and school gardens. • Support the NGO partners in conducting sessions on nutrition, food preparation and food safety for mother care groups. • Participate in monitoring project’s implementation activities as per request of the M&E specialist (e.g.: adoption of techniques learnt on FFS group, use of inputs, production and harvest, sales and trade). • Follow-up of the Letter of Agreement planned activities and provide technical assistance to implementing partners. • Contribute to project interventions gender mainstreaming and socio-economic empowerment of women. • Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Diploma or University degree in Agronomy, Forestry, Rural Extension or other related subjects. • At least three years of experience in Rural Extension / works as extension agent of agriculture. • National of Mozambique.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Background experience in technical areas related to fruits and vegetables production, agroforestry systems, and market-oriented production. • Knowledge and skills to communicate in the native tongues spoken in the Manica and Sofala provinces. • Computer skills (MS Office and Internet Explorer)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.