Programme Officer, Agronomy at Christian Aid

Role Purpose

• The Programme Officer Agronomy will be responsible for designing and implementing all project crop farming (Agronomic) activities in the target communities in Biu, Hawul, Kwayakusar and Bayo and Madagali and Michika LGAs in Borno and Adamawa States, both directly and indirectly through training/mentoring of project community volunteers and Program Assistants Agronomy (PAA), linking up with BOSADP, other NGOs and private sector actors at the community level.

Key Outcomes
Under the direct supervision of the Program Coordinator and in collaboration with the extension agents and the field agents and PAA and other team members of the program and of the base, the POA will:

• Train beneficiaries to improve climate-smart agricultural production for Sorghum and Millet value chains through improved technologies
• Establish and conduct Farmer field Schools
• Conduct field days (Green and Brown Field days)
• Train beneficiaries on integrated Pest Management
• Train beneficiaries to establish community-based Seed Production
• Facilitate and improve post-harvest management practices for smallholder farmers at farm, household and aggregation levels
• Conduct training on post-harvest handling Activities for field agents (FAs), extension agents (EAs) and Project Staff.
• Facilitate training on commodity Bulking, Collective bargaining, and Negotiation for farm produce to producer groups.
• Conduct community sensitization and distribution of user-friendly extension materials (Image block).
• Facilitate linkage with threshing service providers.
• Facilitate the establishment of structured and sustainable markets for the selected smallholder farmers to sell their surplus produce
• Facilitate formation of Marketing Committee among the farmer Producer Groups
• Conduct TOT on Marketing Basics SMART Skills to Project Staff, Extension Agent and Field Agents
• Facilitate collaboration on market access and value chain mapping for marketing committees
• Facilitate initial community entry agronomic activities, mapping, and assessments.
• Manage the community project plans and make recommendations for approval of community project activities
• Form and initiate training of beneficiaries on rain fed seed crop production and micro-garden farming.
• Facilitate Agronomy related surveys in communities.
• Prepare action plans and provide direct support to beneficiaries through visits, in line with the action plans and as required.
• Initiate/facilitate links and referrals relationships between the beneficiaries and community groups and local sources of support.
• Ensure all documentation, reports, and records from the community on rain fed seed crop production and micro-garden farming are maintained per agreed procedure, and information is provided on these community activities as required.
• Co-facilitate step-down trainings with beneficiaries and community groups on various topics on rain fed seed crop production and micro-garden farming as outlined in the implementation plan.
• Support beneficiaries and community groups to conduct assessments/project activities to all especially women in the communities.
• Work on relevant agronomic value chain actors and their service providers (Private BDS providers)
• Work on community disaster risk reduction, famer field schools, asset transfer and revolving fund management, community-based saving and lending groups opportunities.
• Support training on rain fed seed crop production and micro-garden farming in the communities
• Ensure data collection on rain fed seed crop production and micro-garden farming under technical guidance of the M&E officer
• Coordinate with community- based BOSADP, other NGOs and private sector actors.

Essential Criteria

• Level of Education: Degree, in any relevant field with at least 3 years’ experience.
• Must have substantial experience in implementing community-level development projects, using participatory engagement and grassroots mobilization techniques.
• Experience working on value chain actors and their service providers (Private BDS providers)
• Sound experience working on disaster risk reduction, famer field schools, asset transfer and revolving fund management, community-based saving and lending groups
• Excellent training and facilitation skills with a wide variety of groups having diverse experiences, backgrounds, skills, and education levels.
• Experience in handling grants to local groups, ensuring appropriate basic documentation and accountability at the community/field level.
• Excellent verbal communication and listening skills.
• Language Requirements: Spoken English-Excellent; Written English-Good (ability to type and prepare reports and other documents as needed.)
• Must be able to speak at least one local language predominant in that state.

Desirable:

• Involvement in relevant value chain projects, and/or those involving vulnerable people, especially those with asset/cash transfer components and/or interventions.
• Experience in engaging directly with vulnerable people, facilitating women activities and/or facilitating vulnerable people’s participation in meetings, discussions, etc.
• Involvement in projects and/or initiatives that address issues of power, diversity, exclusion, participation, and gender.
• Ability to multi-task, engage in long-term planning, meet deadlines, and handles last-minute demands; exercise patience, and adapt to changing circumstances.