Agronomist Assistant at COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale

Overall Description of Role

• Under the direct supervision of the Agronomist Officer, The Agronomist assistant is responsible to support the component lead in the management and the proper implementation of Agriculture related activities of COOPI’s Livelihoods project in Yobe State. He/She is responsible for a qualitative and regular reporting on the Agriculture components of the project.
• The incumbent is responsible to provide the support in formulating the strategy for and subsequently implement innovative actions for agriculture market systems development, both in building the capacity of agriculture actors, crowding-in additional actors, and ensuring an enabling environment for pro-agriculture growth in the community.
• Support and work with the Program team to develop agriculture related research and monitoring of agriculture market systems analyses, business cases and intervention plans in the selected sectors to improve impact.

Specific Responsibilities

• The incumbent will provide support in organization, implementation and the monitoring of on farm and off farm activities on a daily basis in keeping with COOPI procedures and standards.
• He shall be responsible for the management and implementation of COOPI’s agriculture related activities including livelihood interventions, business management, technical trainings and capacity building events to improve skills or production in new/pre-existing livelihood assets.

Key Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the development of project community mobilisation strategies for targeting and needs identification in the community and work with traditional committees, Host and IDPs to ensure the identification and selection of the most vulnerable beneficiaries for project activities.
• Facilitate community mobilization towards small holders farming / gardening.
• Organize Best Agronomic practice training (BAPs) and Good Agronomic Practice trainings (GAPs) assessment and the identification of the main chains in the targeted area.
• Support in the implementation of capacity building training including field training and workshops for the target beneficiaries on vegetable production, seed conservation, farm management and storage.
• Implement agricultural activities and strengthening nutrition sensitive agriculture with support from relevant State, LGA and community stakeholders at LGA level.
• Act as a liaison with the local population and authorities in order to identify the needs, grievances and major events that could have potential consequences for COOPI activity
• Ensure the proper training and supervision of the community’s volunteers and daily workers.
• Participate in the development of training curriculum and train beneficiaries.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Collect information and data on Livelihoods and food security at LGA level through surveys, assessments and regular post distribution monitoring of beneficiary households
• Support in all assessments for the projects including monthly price and market assessment, regular post distribution monitoring and field supervision visits of beneficiary households.
• Support to track the progress of activities, challenges encountered, lessons learned and good practices and Compile collected data, pictures and other information from the field.
• Pass on any information or problems to his direct and/or indirect supervisor concerning his task, COOPI programs, or safety aspects
• Keep monitoring tools and files archived at the COOPI office, ensuring their availability to his Livestock Officer and Deputy Project Manager.
• Compile information to ensure that the surveillance of the farming situation in the area of implementation of the program is achieving the expected result, when required.
• Collate information and data on agricultural activities through surveys, assessments, regular post distribution monitoring and field supervision visits of beneficiary households.
• Participate in inter agency coordination forums at LGA and State level as required.
• Provide feedback to the programme team based on the field monitoring visits.
• Support the project team in developing high quality project/programme reports regarding resilience perspective.
• Liaise with COOPI MEAL Team colleagues and some project partners to ensure timely submission of contributions. Support the M&E team in analysis of beneficiary data collection through the various tools.

Networking, Mobilization and Coordination Support:

• Mobilization and awareness raising about the organization, program objectives and activities to local authorities and the population, and act as a link between the organization and the beneficiaries (at LGA level)
• Support the Supervisor to ensure that beneficiaries’ access to the service provider guarantees protection and gender sensitivity in the field key activities
• Work closely with community structures to follow up on implementation of on farm Income Generating Activities and support in the implementation of Livelihoods capacity building training for the target beneficiaries at the LGA level.
• Supervise the Implementation of sensitisation activities for targeted communities about strengthening livelihood restoration activities whilst collaborating with the State Emergency Management Authority (SEMA), Extension workers, Community Volunteers, traditional leaders and other key stakeholders in feasible livelihood restoration activities at LGA level.
• Represent COOPI in coordination meetings and conferences as requested by the Program Manager.
• Responsible for maintaining relationships with farmers and Institutions.

Logistic & Administration:

• Under the responsibility of the Agronomist Officer, Deputy Project Manager, Project Manager and Program Manager, contribute to logistical and administrative organization of the activities
• He contributes to the definition of the needs in materials and tools regarding the program and the planning of interventions.
• Ensure the safety and good condition of all material provided by COOPI.
• Inform the Project Manager in case of security incidents, rumours or any security information.
• Ensure the follow-up and the proper use of materials and tools used during on-site works.
• Analyse the security situation in the area and inform the project Manager and Head of Base in case of security incidents, rumours or any security information.

This ToR shall be inclusive of any other task specifically assigned by the Project Manager and direct supervisor for what concerns the implementation of the program activities.

Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Competences, Skills)

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree / Diploma in Agricultural, Nutrition, Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies or related academic disciplines, with previous experience working in developmental and emergency projects
• 1 - 2 years of experience in connection with project management in the food security and / or livelihood sector, and preferably in a non-governmental organization of humanitarian and international character.
• Desired: 1 - 2 years working in INGO/ NGO, in Agronomy and FSL
• Previous experience working with an INGO or a Development organization in FSL/ CTP in field is preferable.

Skills & Experience:
Essential:

• Be excellent in communication skills and proficient in report writing
• Be resident and familiar with the terrain in the Northeast Nigeria.
• Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office programming (Access, Outlook, Excel, Power Point, and Word).

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the local language (Hausa).
• Proficient in data collection and handling bulk registers of beneficiaries