Agriculture Officer at Self Help Africa

Reports to: Project Manager
Gross salary: Ksh 1,860,000 p.a
Length of contract: 6 Months’ Probation period, 2 years contract renewable and one month notice period
Benefits: 22 days annual leave, Medical Insurance (self + spouse and up to 4 children), 10% Employer pension contribution and 25% leave allowance
Expected travel: Significant nation-wide travel

Job Purpose: The Agriculture Officer will provide technical agricultural support to the implementation of the BAringo Resilience Initiative: Nurturing Greater Opportunity (BARINGO) programme. S/He will provide technical agricultural advisory service and specialist support to implementing partners and farmers to ensure that the crops and livestock enterprises perform at their best.  The Agriculture Officer in consultation with farmers and agricultural businesses give guidance and demonstration on the latest technologies related to agriculture and on how they can take advantage of such technologies. 

Key Responsibilities:

PROJECT TECHNICAL SUPPORT FUNCTIONS

Working closely with the Programme Coordinator (Agriculture and Natural Resource Management), the Agriculture Officer will undertake the following tasks;

• Ensure that all agricultural interventions in the BARINGO programme are carried out effectively to meet the project objectives
• Provide technical expertise to project and partner staff to ensure effective integration of sustainable agricultural intensification and livelihoods strategies and practices
• Work with project staff and partners to promote pastoralists and agro-pastoralist participation to attain sustainable agriculture,  climate change resilience, environmentally sustainable land use management practices and promotion of natural resource based enterprises
• Develop and execute work plans related to the development of the capacity of the smallholder farmers and pastoralists and ensure that the plans are executed in an efficient and effective manner as agreed and approved by the Project Manager.
• Facilitate agricultural related technical workshops, consultations, seminars and training sessions on conceptual and practical aspects of extension and agricultural practices
• Serve as the agriculture technical lead and write up agricultural related sections in reports, technical papers and proposals to government, potential donors and SHA,
• Develop agricultural implementation approaches and strategies to guide project implementation e.g strategy on implementing Plant Clinics, IPM etc
• Conduct trainings and relevant research studies that generate evidence-based programming and efficient and sustainable programme interventions

CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT

• Design, develop and deliver crop and livestock production training packages/modules, in coordination with other project staff,
• Identify and carry out a comprehensive capacity assessment of farmer producer organizations and develop and deliver appropriate capacity building programs,
• Support farmer producer groups/ organizations to put in place and implement innovative agricultural management systems and build their capacity in all aspects of farming as a business

COUNTERPART RELATIONSHIP FUNCTIONS

• Nurture and strengthen partnerships and networks with local government, civil society organizations and private sector for continued  learning and  sharing of  experiences and best practices,
• Represent the project in all agricultural related meetings/workshops/field visits and other relevant forums as directed by the Project Manager,
• Incorporate within the framework of the project potential ‘win-win’ business opportunities which can attract different value chain actors to engage in transactional relationships with the farmer producer organizations and develop a platform for achieving these partnerships,
• Work in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders on quality assurance and control for all Crop and livestock-based products for value addition, marketing and distribution.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION AND REPORTING

• In liaison with the M and E Assistant, conduct regular and accurate assessment, monitoring, and dissemination of information and ensure that sustainable agriculture, livelihoods, climate change resilience and natural resources management principles are incorporated in the project,
• Support the M and E Assistant in data collection and analysis 

LOGISTICS, ADMINISTRATION, HR AND SAFETY

• Ensure efficient use and management of transport and other programme resource
• Work with the PM and Administration and Logistics Officer in procurement processes of project farm inputs through outlined procurement procedures,
• Ensure all safety or security incidents (fires, vehicle accidents, theft, etc) are appropriately recorded and reported,
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the Programme Manager.

Key Relationships:

Internal

• Programme Coordinator Agriculture and NRM,
• Finance and Administration Team
• Self Help Africa Kenya Country Management Team
• HQ Technical Advisors 

External

• Project implementation partners
• Stakeholders including government, research institutions, financial institutions, external auditors, donors, and private companies

Knowledge and Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience in the implementation of sustainable Livelihood programme design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation and learning
• Relevant working experience in planning, and executing agricultural/rural extension systems
• Knowledge of and experience in advisory capacity in the fields of agriculture extension/advisory services, livestock development and agriculture innovation systems and services to smallholder farmers
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear and concise technical reports
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize, and conduct technical meetings and training activities
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills

Qualifications/Other Requirements:

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Animal Production, Agricultural Extension and other related fields
• Excellent Adult participatory training and facilitation skills.
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages

Role Competencies:

• Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports
• Ability to work with minimum supervision
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative
• Ability to contribute to a small team environment
• Valid Riding License