Agronomist Assistant at Smiling Hearts Initiatives International

Experience:        2-3 years

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 SHI’s Livelihoods project in Borno and Yobe State.
• He is responsible for qualitative and regular reporting on the agriculture components of the project.
• The incumbent is responsible to provide support in price monitoring, farmer training, helping farmers with the brokering of marketing deals, implementing innovative actions for agriculture market systems development, 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 sorghum and millet value chains.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of project community mobilization 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 smallholder farming/gardening.
• Organize Best Agronomic practice training (BAPs) and Good Agronomic Practice training (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 strengthen nutrition-sensitive agriculture with support from relevant State, LGA, and community stakeholders at the 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 SHI 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.

Specific Responsibilities:

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

Other Responsibilities include:

• Training farmers on food safety commodity quality for sorghum and millet
• Formation and strengthening of farmer associations and marketing committees
• Establishment and running of farmer field schools
• Establishment of Savings and Investment Groups
• Linking farmers to agro-dealers for input supply
• Training farmers on post-harvest handling of crops and certification for quality
• Facilitate the establishment of grain aggregation centers

Logistic & Administration:

• Under the responsibility of the Agronomist Officer, 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 materials provided by SHI.
• Inform the Project Manager in case of security incidents, rumors, or any security information.
• Ensure the follow-up and the proper use of materials and tools used during on-site works.

Minimum Requirements:

• Degree / HND in Agricultural, Economics, Rural Development, Development Studies or related academic disciplines, with previous experience working in developmental and emergency projects
• University Degree / HND in any of the following disciplines: Agricultural Economics or related field.
• At least 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.
• Previous experience in food distribution supervisory field is preferable.
• Ability to write reports.
• Able to work outside of regular working hours as required, including evenings and weekends if required.
• A good experience in supervision is required.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the local language (Hausa and Burah).
• Willing and able to be based and travel regularly within remote areas, where services are limited.
• Strong level of autonomy to provide independent follow-through on processing issues and concerns
• Excellent planning, organizational, and time management skills.