Programme Associate Agronomist SC6 (12 months contract) Namibia - Windhoek

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to end global hunger. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In emergencies, WFP gets food to where it is needed, saving the lives of victims of war, civil conflict and natural disasters. After an emergency, WFP uses food to help communities rebuild their shattered lives. Present in nearly 120 countries, the organization has the global footprint, deep field presence and local knowledge and relationships necessary to provide access to nutritious food and contribute to the lasting solutions, especially in many of the world’s most remote and fragile areas. We manage an operating budget of approximately $5.9 billion each year, distributing 12.6 billion rations to those most in need. We reach an average of 80 million people with food assistance in around 80 countries each year. The World Food Programme office in Johannesburg is a Regional Office coordinating and supporting the delivery of humanitarian assistance to 12 Southern Africa countries including, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Angola.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The World Food Programme in Namibia works with the Government and stakeholders to promote sustainable and transformative food systems including value chain actor programming that is leveraged to support the Government in the design and implementation of holistic interventions to address: Rural Transformation; Food Systems and Human Capital Development.

The role of the Agronomist also known as a crop or soil scientist is to work with farmers using scientific methods and techniques to help maximise production and minimise environmental impact. An Agronomist's work involves analyzing crops and soil quality and provide technical advice and recommendations to the farmer.

JOB PURPOSE

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Policy Officer, Food Systems the incumbent will be responsible for overseeing and carrying out Agronomist duties associated with the integrated food systems projects, ensuring sustainability, efficiency, and profitability. The work is carried out under minimal supervision and the incumbent is expected to produce organized and accurate work.

The incumbent will be based in Windhoek, with occasional travel to the field.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

• Provide technical support to research, develop, and promote precision agriculture techniques, conservation agriculture principles, and good agricultural practices for optimism yields and return on investments.
• Support the management of agronomic related expenses and effectively account for overhead costs through optimization of production and analysis of market conditions and requirements.
• Liaise with internal counterparts to implement innovative cultivation methods and techniques of soil-water-plant relations to increase crop production and quality.
• Support effective farm data and record keeping of all spraying programmes, external communications, crop yields, labor expenses, water and soil testing results, market records, and all other farm related information and expenses including the generation and tabulation of financial and operational reports.
• Periodically visit project sites to collect plant, water and soil samples and testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other characteristics as and when required.
• Provide technical support and advice to establish and select new crop varieties and the development of planting, fertilization, spraying and irrigation schedules, budgets, and timelines.
• Support the implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to ensure food safety

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Awareness of horticulture/agronomic industry trends, technology, and developments.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a range of individuals in order to provide a high quality support service.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Strong analytical and writing capacity, including the ability to produce high quality reports, presentations, and knowledge products.
• Conducting participatory processes of training, capacity building and knowledge sharing involving farmers, technical staff of R&D organizations and value chain actors.
• Proficient in the use of office equipment and computer software packages, such as Microsoft Word.
• Ability to lead, coach and motivate teams for efficient and effective delivery of results;
• Strong oral and written communication skills to ensure WFP strategies and projects are well articulated to all stakeholders including beneficiaries, partners, local governments, ministries, and donors;
• Ability to carry out basic data analysis and independently rectify problems requiring attention Negotiation skills with the ability to influence at senior levels within and beyond the organization;
• Knowledge of specialized common business practices and methods, gained through relevant technical training and experience.
• Ability to monitor and record financial transactions.
• Good communication skills required to give and receive information and work with a variety of individuals.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Has proven track record of farming in wheat, maize, vegetables and lucerne
• Has worked with technical teams (i.e. nutrition, food and nutrition security, etc

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A university degree in Agriculture with Horticulture/Crop science/Agronomy/Soil science major will be an added advantage. Experience: 3 or more years experience in the agronomic/horticulture business of 30ha irrigation development/farm. Language: Fluency (level C) in English language. Knowledge of other UN language is an added advantage. Knowledge of local Namibian languages is an added advantage.

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Capability Name Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance Demonstrates ability to identify key variables and contextual factors that affect food assistance problems and programmes throughout the lifecycle to inform quality programme design or re-design. Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Vouchers) Demonstrates ability to implement, under guidance, food assistance programmes deploying the full range of transfer modalities with an understanding of basic principles guiding modality selection and implementation. Broad Knowledge of Specialized Areas Understands basic technical concepts and data and their relevance to food assistance programmes. Emergency Programming Displays capacity to provide inputs into the development, implementation and realignment of high quality emergency programmes. Strategic Policy Engagement w/Government Understands and applies basic principles of engagement with government counterparts at the national or local level.

CONTRACTUAL INFORMATION

• This is a 12 Months renewable Service Contract
• Benefits: Annual Leave & Medical Insurance
• Monthly salary range: NAD 24,872 - NAD 33,132

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

The vacancy announcement will close on 23 March 2023, 23:59 South African time.

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This position is open to citizens of Namibia and holders of a permanent residence permit.

Suitably qualified females are especially encouraged to apply.

WFP has a zero-tolerance approach to conduct such as fraud, sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to WFP’s standards of conduct and will therefore undergo rigorous background verification internally or through third parties. Selected candidates will also be required to provide additional information as part of the verification exercise. Misrepresentation of information provided during the recruitment process may lead to disqualification or termination of employment

WFP will not request payment at any stage of the recruitment process including at the offer stage. Any requests for payment should be refused and reported to local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.