SUAN Agriculture Coordinator

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Employee Contract Type:

Local - Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)Job Description:

Agriculture Coordinator for SUAN Project

Saravan District, Saravan Province

World Vision is a global community of millions, working together for one purpose: to change the lives of vulnerable children.

Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness.

Are you a motivated professional who wants to make a difference in Lao PDR?

World Vision International Lao PDR is looking for an Agriculture Coordinator for a newly awarded multi-year grant project, the “Sustainable Agriculture for Nutrition’’ (SUAN)” in Salavane Province. The project is financed by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affair and Trade (DFAT) and is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), among other partners.

The goal of the SUAN project is to improve nutrition and food security of 1,975 households (8,334 people) in 3 districts, 18 villages in Salavane province, particularly women and children under five, through sustainable and nutrition-sensitive climate smart agriculture (NS-CSA), as well as childcare and hygiene practices.

Key project outcomes are:

• Improved access to sufficient and diverse foods year-round
• Improved dietary & care practices among Women of Reproductive Age (WRA) (15-45 years) & Children Under Five (CU5)
• Improved Gender Equity and Disability Inclusion (GEDSI) for increased participation in nutrition-sensitive, climate-smart agriculture (NS-CSA)
• Increased information and learning opportunities on NS-CSA and GEDSI

The Agriculture Coordinator will be based in Salavane and will report to SUAN Project Manager. The role consists of planning and coordinating the project agricultural activities both crops and livestock. This includes activities such as farmers group organization, seeds conservation, home gardening, fruits production, post-harvest management (drying, processing, storage), animal health and husbandry, village veterinary workers and market access. The agriculture coordinator will work closely with SUAN project team to provide technical support and leadership across agriculture activities in the target area.

The responsibilities of the position include:

• Contribute to specifying the methodology for implementing the nutrition sensitive climate smart agriculture activities; and develop annual, quarterly and monthly action plan in collaboration with project manager and partners
• Organize and implement, in team with the district officers and staff from DAFO, the agriculture activities described in the project design document and log Frame
• Assist the ongoing consultancy and project assessments. Provide support during the key project design milestones including project assessments, baseline survey, MoU process, and climate smart agriculture study.
• Manage the SUAN field staff and district officers. Assess and support staff, providing guidance that builds and strengthens performance
• Set criteria and method for beneficiary selection and participate in the process;
• Develop training curriculum, IEC and timeframe for each activity,
• Organize work plans with the district technical officers and DAFO staff in consultation with project team
• Follow regularly the indicators for monitoring & evaluation, and inspect field activities to monitor the progress and lesson learned
• Review and organize field staff regular reports and data collection. Submit monthly and annual reports to project manager and partners as required;
• Participate in meetings and technical workshops, as required, inside and outside the provinces of intervention;
• Ensure good communication and coordination with government counterparts (PAFO and DAFO);
• Provide technical assistance and leadership to field staff.
• Contribute to sustainable project impact in the target vulnerable communities
• Perform other duties as required, including participate in weekly meeting with the direct line manager.

Major Responsibilities:

Project implementation and management of all agricultural activities

Plan, direct, provide guidance and technical leadership and implement with technical team all aspects of project implementation related to agriculture and livestock activities, ensuring compliance with WV and DFAT compliance standards.

• Ensure GEDSI are mainstreamed across all agriculture activities
• Work closely with the SUAN project Manager and technical team in planning, implementing and monitoring project activities.
• Ensure quality implementation of activities according to the SUAN project design and detailed implementation plan
• Consolidation of quality reporting mainly from the technical components of agricultural activities including oversighting of quality monitoring and evaluation of the project ensuring application of identified learnings, appropriateness of approach and verifiable impact
• Ensure the effective implementation of project- regularly tracking of progress- DIP, indicators and Budget
• Support project manager in coordination and reporting within World Vision and Partners.

Collaboration and coordination

• Manage proactive and responsive relationship with Project Partners, Government stakeholders, and other partners in the field, under the direction of the Project Manager

• Liaise with Project Manager and technical staffs in NO for support and ensure activities are in line with WVL strategy

• Consolidate data and support data analysis regarding all activities implemented
• Oversee project assessments and activities follow-up,
• Submit report of activities following all required donor and Government formats
• Represent WVIL and information exchange with INGO, local NGO and local Civil Society Organizations
• Represent WVL with GoL local authorities: oral and written reporting, respect of national guidelines

Monitoring, Evaluation, Communication and Reporting

• Establish and maintain effective project reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems. Submit timely accurate and professional reports that meet donor and WV requirements

• Establish and maintain effective project sectoral reporting, monitoring, evaluation, and communication systems. Submit timely accurate and professional reports that meet donor and WV requirements.

• Support project management in coordination with District level counterparts for quarterly and semi-annual project progress update meetings.
• Work closely with M&E Staff to ensure sectoral data collection and monitoring are effectively gathered to support reporting process responding to WV’s internal and Donor’s requirements.
• Support project team in producing project progress reports according to the MOU requirements and template to timely submitted to relevant counterparts and partners.

Learning evidence

• Consistently look for more effective and efficient implementation methods and opportunities to increase impact. Facilitate learning of best practice by ensuring a continuous learning process is developed and in place with key staff and partners.

Networking and Advocacy

• Ensure WV is taking a lead role in Gender in the area of implementation, including seeking cooperation for joint advocacy opportunities

Required Education, Professional Experience

• 3 to 5 years’ experience in community development with a focus on agriculture, livestock, and nutrition.
• Proven experience in providing technical support to nutrition sensitive agriculture program
• Good experience from field work and project monitoring to ensure quality deliverables of the project
• Bachelor’s degree or above in agriculture, animal health or similar field: Social/Rural developmental studies.
• Trainings or certifications on sustainable agriculture, agroecology or Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) would be considered an asset.
• Technical training and demonstrate knowledge on participatory approach and Training of Trainers (ToT)
• Knowledge of development work, including program logic, project design and community empowerment.
• Good understanding of Economic Development of Laos, Government policies, laws, and institutions and ability to work together with various stakeholders and government counterparts
• Ability to identify and plan work strategically to meet the deadlines.
• Project management knowledge and skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Lao.
• Ability to train others, ability to provide technical assistance and guidance to support the field and operation staff.
• Possess strong organizational skills.
• Ability to function efficiently and independently with little day-to-day supervision.
• Willingness to travel to the districts and villages on a frequent basis.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.

Travel and/or Work Environment

60% travel within Laos

Language Requirements

English and Lao

Applicant Types Accepted: