Agriculture and Livelihood Officer at Forward in Action for Education, Poverty and Malnutrition (FAcE-PaM)

Job Summary

• FAcE-PaM seeks to engage an Agriculture and Livelihood Officer for its Catalysing Strengthened PoliCy Action for Healthy Diets and ResiliencE (CASCADE)-CARE Programme to deliver the objective of healthier diets and increased resilience to price and climate-related shocks for women and children in Jigawa and Kebbi state, Nigeria.
• The purpose of the Livelihoods Project Officer is to provide leadership in the delivery of the CASCADE activities on increasing women’s access/control and influence over household and agricultural assets and incomes, specifically the delivery of the Farmer Field and Business School, Social Analysis and Action and VSLA methodologies in the project.
• The Project Officer will work with CARE’s Project Manager and other stakeholders in equipping the small-holder women farmers and community-based trainers with the necessary capacities for increased food and nutrition security.
• Jointly with the Project team, S/He will be responsible for planning and implementation of the CASCADE, monitoring, Evaluation, and documentation; partnerships development, coordination and representation at the County level and maintenance of the Project resources, among other activities related to the achievement of CASCADE project objectives in operation.

Responsibilities
Planning & implementation of CASCADE project milestones:

• Support Women Small Holder Farmers in strengthening capacities on Good Agronomic Practices using CARE Farmer Field and Business School Approaches
• Support Lead Farmers in setting out Model Farms together with selected private sector in project communities
• Work closely with Women in Agriculture and Agricultural Extension Workers in Local Government Areas to enhance women's participation in nutrition-sensitive agricultural activities
• Coordinate demand creation for products closely with private sector actors in the Community
• Facilitate step trainings on various nutrition-sensitive agriculture initiatives
• Support Food Loss and waste activities to promote post-handling techniques among
• Coordinate input suppliers in supporting women farmers' access to quality inputs
• Work with Financial Inclusion Platforms (VSLA, SILC) to layer nutrition services
• Strengthen access to land and water for women smallholder farmers through innovative tech solutions
• Support the Community Resilience building effort through Community Adaptation Plans

Supporting Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning on CASCADE:

• Liaise with the Project Coordinator and MEAL Officer r to ensure preparation of timely draft narrative reports meeting the Implementing Partners' reporting requirements
• Support in the development of quarterly work plans, and detailed implementation and monitoring plans.
• Identify and document challenges in implementation that would have a negative impact and or undermine the performance of the project, identify solutions and implement actions on a timely basis to avert negative performance in consultation with FAcE-PaM project Coordinator and CARE MEAL Officer.
• Share monthly data on indicator performance in line with the project requirement, discuss and ensure partners are aware of.
• Support in carrying out data quality assessment and supporting internal documentation
• Monitor progress of work plan implementation in consultation with the Project Coordinator.
• Support domain four on Knowledge Management and Learning activities, and coordinate Communication and Learning assistants
• Collaborating with the Project Coordinator and other technical Officers in guiding the project implementation Officer, facilitating
• Facilitate the collection and verification of data on all indicators.
• Working closely with the Project team and CARE International team to support the documentation of Human-Interest Stories and lessons learnt for internal and external dissemination.

Linkage and networking with other collaborators:

• Represent FACEPAM in relevant community development planning meetings.
• Liaise with the Relevant Local Government officials, collaborators, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Enhance teamwork and synergy in programming and CASCADE activities.

Other Responsibilities as assigned:

• Stay up to date with CASCADE’s emerging strategies and approaches, and contribute proactively to their implementation. Take responsibility for ensuring personal safety and security, giving due care and consideration to the impact of individual decisions on the safety and security of others

Qualifications
Mandatory:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, Agribusiness and Evaluation Experience and Competencies Required
• At least three (3) years’ experience in agronomy, agricultural markets and value chain development, business planning
• Strong abilities in understanding market system change, is flexible, and self-initiative.
• Practical experience supporting the development of farmers’ and farmers’ enterprises
• Demonstrated capacity to work with private sector players (financial institutions, exporters, buyers, traders, transporters, input suppliers or processors)
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Working knowledge of MS computer packages
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills
• The ability to work independently, think innovatively and strategically and work effectively within a team
• Fluency in written and spoken English and excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Detailed understanding and experience of gender and diversity issues, and commitment to addressing inequalities in all the key areas of responsibility
• Demonstrate high levels of initiative and flexibility in tasks undertaken
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Extensive knowledge of participatory approaches
• Understanding of development/relief issues