Agronomic Advisor at Save the Children

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme Design and Oversight:

• Lead design and oversee the implementation of agroforestry systems, such as indigenous forestry integration, fruit trees, hedgerows, companion planting tailored to local needs.
• Provide technical guidance on sustainable land management techniques, including terracing, alley cropping, and erosion control measures.
• Advise on the cultivation of food crops including vegetables crops with climate-smart thinking and action.
• Establish frameworks for monitoring food crops and agroforestry systems to ensure adherence to climate-smart principles and carbon credit methodological requirements.
• Work with project stakeholders to ensure they are inclusive in crop farming approaches that support small holder farmers.
• Provide technical advice on agricultural related program/project design at CO level.
• Support donor engagement and other related strategic engagement at CO level
• Performs other duties as assigned by the line manager

Capacity Building and Collaboration:

• Facilitate training sessions and workshops for farmers on agroforestry practices, focusing on native and high-value tree species.
• Facilitate training sessions and workshops on monitoring, verification and reporting for carbon credit processes. 
• Engage with local farmer cooperatives, government agencies, and community organizations to build partnerships and foster collaboration.
• Collaborating with the project staffs, provide technical support and liaise with the staffs of relevant government partners and research organizations in the areas of agriculture.
• Provide training on climate smart crop production for project beneficiaries including sensitizing of climate change and its adaptation
• Develop training manuals and other knowledge products relevant to climate-smart crop production and agroforestry.

Advisory Services and Recommendations:

• Provide expertise in tree species selection and agroforestry design to maximize ecosystem and economic benefits.
• Advise on risk mitigation strategies for issues such as land degradation, soil erosion, and human-wildlife conflicts.
• Deliver recommendations to enhance programme scalability and sustainability.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:

• Implement tools for tracking programme outcomes, including carbon sequestration, improved farmer incomes, and enhanced biodiversity.
• Compile progress reports with actionable insights and present them to key stakeholders.
• Lead studies, assessments, documentation of best practices/lessons and activities related to climate smart crop production.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• BSc in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop sciences, Extension and other related disciplines, MSc in Agronomy preferred.
• At least 10 years of practical work experience in rural development particularly in diversified livelihood and participatory research approaches
• Demonstrates good understanding of the Village Based Advisor (VBA) business model. 
• Demonstrated consultancy experience in designing and executing agroforestry or sustainable land management projects.
• Knowledge of the agriculture development & policy environment in Kenya
• Strong expertise in climate-smart agricultural practices and working knowledge of Kenya's rural farming systems.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.