Agronomy Assistant at Chabash Development and Health Initiative

Location: Jakusko, Yobe State
Reports to: Agronomy Officer
Supervises: Finance Assistants
Employment Type: Project Support Staff/Facilitators

Job Summary:

The Agronomy Assistant supports the day-to-day implementation of crop production, climate-smart agricultural interventions, and extension activities under the WFP-supported Integrated Food System and Resilience Project implemented by Chabash Development and Health Initiative (CDHI) in Jakusko LGA, Yobe State. Working under the direct supervision of the Agronomy Officer, the Assistant assists in mobilizing farmer groups, organizing field-level agricultural training, facilitating input distributions, and tracking demonstration plot activities. The position works directly with smallholder farmers, Cash-for-Work beneficiaries, and local community structures to promote resilient agricultural practices and enhance household food security.

Key Responsibilities

• Field-Level Mobilization & Group Formation: Support community-level outreach to register and organize smallholder farmer groups, lead farmers, and Cash-for-Work beneficiaries across target communities in Jakusko LGA.
• Support Extension & Training Logistics: Assist in setting up and facilitating Farmer Field Schools (FFS), demonstration plots, and community training sessions on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), crop protection, soil management, and post-harvest handling.
• Input Distribution Support: Assist in the orderly, transparent registration and distribution of agricultural inputs (certified seeds, organic fertilizers, tools, and storage materials) to verified project beneficiaries in compliance with WFP protocols.
• Post-Harvest & Irrigation Site Monitoring: Support routine monitoring visits to post-harvest hubs, agro-processing centers, and solar-irrigated dry-season vegetable plots to identify technical challenges and assist local farmers.
• Field Data Collection & Progress Tracking: Collect basic agricultural data, monitor crop development, record attendance at extension activities, and submit regular field updates and activity logs to the Agronomy Officer.
• Community Liaison: Serve as a direct point of contact between field-level farming communities, extension volunteers, and CDHI project management to address routine site queries and operational feedback.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Bachelor’s degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) in Agronomy, Agricultural Extension, Crop Science, General Agriculture, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of practical field experience in agricultural extension, crop production, or community development projects, preferably within humanitarian or development settings in Northeast Nigeria.
• Technical Knowledge: Basic understanding of climate-smart farming, pest control, vegetable gardening, and post-harvest handling techniques.
• Community Mobilization: Demonstrated experience working directly with smallholder farmers, rural women, and community-based organizations.
• Language Skills: Professional working proficiency in English and strong fluency in Hausa (knowledge of other local languages spoken in Yobe State is an asset).

Core Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and field-level communication skills suited for rural community engagement.
• Hands-on familiarity with local agricultural seasons, crop types, and farming systems in Yobe State.
• Ability to collect, record, and report accurate field data in a timely manner.
• Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work effectively under field conditions and adapt to changing site priorities.
• Basic computer literacy (MS Office applications and digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox).

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

• Maintain strict adherence to CDHI and WFP policies on zero tolerance for sexual exploitation, abuse, and workplace harassment.
• Actively inform farmers and community members that all agricultural inputs, training, and project support are free of charge and must never be exchanged for favors or sexual acts.
• Ensure distribution points, demonstration plots, and field sites are safe, accessible, and organized to protect women, adolescent girls, and vulnerable individuals from harassment or intimidation.
• Report any suspected or observed cases of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment immediately through designated confidential reporting pathways.

Compliance & Ethics

• Adhere strictly to humanitarian principles, SPHERE standards, and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) frameworks during all field interventions.
• Ensure complete honesty, transparency, and impartiality during beneficiary selection, input distribution, and data gathering activities.
• Respect local traditional customs, local leadership authority, and community dynamics in all project locations.

Comply fully with CDHI’s internal policies regarding code of conduct, anti-fraud, child protection, and conflict-sensitive programming.

Women are strongly encouraged to apply.