FSL Officer-Agronomy

Programme & Policy

Overview

Support the implementation of agriculture component under SC-FCDO PREAVEL grant.

You have:

• Bachelor’s degree or master's degree in Plant/Crop Science, Agronomy, Horticulture or equivalent disciplines.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in a similar capacity.
• Proven experience in improved crop production and management.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written in English.
• High computer skills in MS Office programs.
• Ability to interact effectively with stakeholders and multi-task.
• Willingness to work with rural and vulnerable communities.

The Organization We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

· No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday · All children learn from a quality basic education and that, · Violence against children is no longer tolerated

We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued.

Application Information: Please apply using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document. Please also include details of your current remuneration and salary expectations. A copy of the full role profile can be found at www.savethechildren.net/jobs We need to keep children safe so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY: The main areas of accountability and responsibility of this position are, to support the implementation of the agriculture component under SC-FCDO PREAVEL grant over the target province/s.

Key Responsibilities:  Support the project team in terms of community mobilization and sensitization.  Conduct and support beneficiary selection through a household selection proper method.  Collect and analyze the target area situation on crop production, vegetable and fruits management, rainfall, irrigation water requirement, food availability and access, pest and diseases infestation and other important farming contextual information /statistical data  When agricultural problems or outbreaks are identified, inform the outbreak detailing type and frequency.  Conduct participatory assessments and surveys to identify agricultural needs and opportunities of the most vulnerable populations and propose intervention to achieve increasing in food and diversified income sources based on improving the existing crop farming system.  Lead the implementation of adoption of improved crop and small-scale irrigated horticultural development/irrigated gardening activities and strategies of the project in collaboration with other departments /sectors.  Introduce and promote new varieties of various crop, vegetables and fruit seed and seedlings to farmers.  Collecting data for improved seed and reporting to the project coordinator  Support field inspection for various seed selection and procurement.  Determine the purity and germination percentage of seeds.  With other relevant staff, ensure the correct stacking of the seed. This should be according to the different varieties of seed.  Lead planning for seed distribution to irrigation users’ farmers and select farmers and implementation of climate-smart agriculture interventions.  Study soil fertility, nutriment deficiencies and irrigation water quality and quantity, collecting data on these subjects, and making reports to the FSL coordinator.  Identify pests which are infecting cereal crops, vegetables, fruits and other growing in the areas.  Manage the treatment of major crops, vegetables and fruits diseases which are commonly seen in the target areas in collaboration and networking with stakeholders  Provide technical support and follow up the field extension agents, irrigation /vegetable and fruit tree seedlings producer groups and the direct beneficiaries at grass root level.  Define implementation modalities (identification and registration of beneficiaries, distribution, training, awareness, monitoring etc.) for the crop and irrigated agriculture diversification intervention of the project.  Travel frequently to the project sites /villages and mobilize the targeted stakeholders and beneficiary communities to fulfill the objectives of the project activities.  Coordinate and conduct training vegetable and fruit production, irrigation practices, post-harvest handling and cooking demonstration techniques to target communities.  Maintain collaboration, partnership and linkage with community leaders, agricultural cooperatives, and various stakeholders at districts and provincial level line offices and other relevant INGO/NGO working in the area to ensure the success of agronomy-related interventions.  Support and lead agricultural productivity activities in the region and participate in the selection of the project sites including for watershed and irrigation schemes and ensure the sites meet minimum project section criteria.  Support the regional team in developing investment plans for watershed and irrigation schemes and ensure the plans are in line with the site priorities and directly contribute to the project’s development objective and results framework  Work with the team effectively implement the investment plans and ensure promoting the improved agronomic and irrigation water saving, IPM practices in the project target areas.  Provide technical training and capacity-building to farmers in climate-smart agricultural practices, food processing, handling, storage, and marketing.  Ensure that all agronomy interventions are aligned with gender-sensitive approaches, encouraging active participation of women and youth in agricultural activities.  Provide regular updates and reports on the progress of agronomy-related activities, quarterly project review and technical progress report to the FSL coordinator on time and as required by the project.  Assist the FSL coordinator to prepare annual, quarterly and months plan for effective execution of the project activities as stipulated in the project document.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning  Prepare and implement action plan for quality monitoring  Mobilizing and Making communities aware of project objectives, outputs and activities and MEAL systems and SCI Child Safeguarding Policies.  Facilitate project and activities information at all events such as training and workshops  Support the FSL coordinator in developing and preparing monitoring plans and ensure that activities are in line with achieving expected outputs of both irrigated and rainfed agriculture development activities.  Monitor agricultural activities to ensure increased productivity and the adoption of climate-resilient practices among target communities.  BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice) Accountability:  holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modeling Save the Children values  holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved. Ambition:  sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, take responsibility for their own personal development and encourage their team to do the same  widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others  future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale. Collaboration:  builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members, and external partners, and supporters  Values diversity, and sees it as a source of competitive strength  approachable, good listener, easy to talk to. Creativity:  develops and encourages new and innovative solutions  willing to take disciplined risks. Integrity:  honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity QUALIFICATIONS Level of studies: bachelor’s degree or master's degree in plant/Crop Science, Agronomy Horticulture and other related/equivalent disciplines with a minimum of 4 years and 2 years of experiences in similar capacity respectively EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Essential

The candidate/employee should have proven experience, skills and knowledge especially on improved crop production and management, integrated watershed management, climate-smart agriculture irrigation farming, post-harvest handling and food/cooking demonstrations and other related crop diversification extension services. In addition, she/he will have strong communication, analytical and reporting skills/techniques, capable in organizing project activities and follow up the team. She/he also has to have high level of understanding of Humanitarian working principles, multi-sector programming and ability to understand parallel responsibilities in other sectors. Strong organizational skills: ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel, a demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action as to not delay program activities, a clear understanding of procurement ethics and donor compliance is essential. High computer skills on MS Office programs – Excellent oral and written English skills (read, written, spoken) - Willingness and enthusiasm for working with rural and vulnerable communities in the proposed intervention areas

Additional job responsibilities The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience. Equal Opportunities The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the SCI Equal Opportunities and Diversity policies and procedures. Child Safeguarding: We need to keep children safe, so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Health and Safety The role holder is required to carry out the duties in accordance with SCI Health and Safety policies and procedures.

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Added 4 months ago - Updated 4 months ago - Source: savethechildren.net