Agriculture Officer at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Action Against Hunger is currently looking to fill the role of Agriculture Officer who will be responsible for the implementation of key agricultural activities aimed at increasing food production, improving farming techniques, and enhancing the livelihoods of vulnerable households. This includes supporting fish farming and promoting sustainable practices in fish production and processing. The role also focuses on supporting the rehabilitation and development of agricultural sites, promoting climate-resilient practices, and building the capacity of farmers and fish producers to adopt sustainable systems.

Position Details

Reporting to: Agriculture Specialist

Proposed start date: February 2025

Work location: Maiduguri, Borno State

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate the rehabilitation and development of community-based agricultural infrastructure, including market gardens, irrigation systems, and fish farming units, to enhance productivity and resilience to climate change;
• Promote the use of climate-adaptive farming systems and the adoption of innovative and sustainable farming practices, such as agroforestry, greenhouse agriculture, drip irrigation, and sustainable fish farming techniques, to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve long-term agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability;
• Support the implementation and scaling of fish farming activities, providing training on sustainable practices, fish pond management, and fish processing techniques to improve production, marketability, and income generation;
• Organize and conduct comprehensive training sessions for farmers, fish producers, women, and youth on climate-resilient practices, improved crop varieties, soil and water management, pest and disease control, and post-harvest handling to reduce losses and increase income;
• Facilitate the formation of community-based farmer and fish producer groups, empowering local communities to manage agricultural sites, improve market access, and strengthen local economies;
• Ensure access to agricultural inputs such as seeds, tools, and equipment by coordinating their distribution to vulnerable households and supporting detailed work planning with insights from field-level knowledge and experience;
• Provide ongoing technical support to farmer and fish producer groups, focusing on crop diversification, pest management, and value-added practices that enhance productivity and foster economic recovery for vulnerable groups;
• Support the introduction and promotion of new technologies and farming innovations that increase productivity by collaborating with local researchers, extension agents, and agricultural institutions to test, adapt, and tailor these techniques to the local context;
• Monitor the progress of agricultural activities and provide regular reports on outputs, outcomes, and challenges to the Deputy Programme Manager;
• Conduct field visits to assess the quality of agricultural interventions, gathering feedback from beneficiaries and identifying areas for improvement;
• Support data collection efforts to measure the impact of agricultural activities on food security, income levels, and community resilience;
• Ensure monthly quality and timely activity reporting of all agricultural activities;
• Contribute to overall donor reporting, capturing success stories and documentation of lessons learnt for the RESILAC project;
• Engage with community leaders, local authorities, and stakeholders to ensure that agricultural and fish farming activities are aligned with local needs and priorities;
• Work with local government officials to identify and address any barriers to the successful implementation of agricultural projects, ensuring that community members are fully involved in decision-making processes;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for communities regarding agricultural and fish farming activities, ensuring that beneficiaries are well-informed and engaged throughout the project cycle;
• Facilitate good working relationships between AAH and other humanitarian actors through full participation in community/Ward level coordination;
• Contribute to the development of project community mobilization strategies for successful targeting and registration of beneficiaries of Youth Employment, Value chain enhancement, and sustainable agriculture;
• Communicate performance standards, provide feedback, and support the professional development of team members;
• Contribute to the professional development and improvement of team members by providing support;
• Communicate Action Against Hunger performance standards and expectations to Assistants which includes; 10 minutes monthly conversation, 3 months/end of probation performance appraisal, and annual/ end of contract appraisal;
• Establish performance objectives, provide feedback, and identify strengths and areas for professional improvement.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Technology/Engineering, Agronomy, Crop Production, Crop Science, Crop Protection or Soil Science or related fields;
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in food security, livelihoods, Agro/livestock-related interventions, and climate adaptation projects;
• Proven ability to translate analysis and evaluation into operational planning and strategy;
• Clear understanding of child and gender protection issues in the field;
• Good understanding of the North East Nigeria social and operational environment;
• Strong computer literacy, organizational and planning skills, and report writing;
• Fluent in English writing and communication skills, Understanding of Hausa and/or Kanuri language is an added advantage;
• Experience in the INGO/NGO and humanitarian context;
• Commitment to upholding Action Against Hunger’s values, and excellent interpersonal and communication skills.