Farmer Field Assistants at Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)

Job Purpose & Scope

Contribute to the promotion and adoption of sustainable agricultural practices and technologies through participatory, market-oriented approaches to meet the needs of smallholder farmers while staying relevant to the context of the project.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for an updated and resource center consolidated database of farmers being (currently submitted monthly via Kobo Toolbox) reached through FCP activities.
• Carry out farmer trainings to community groups to provide relevant knowledge and skills development on ecological sustainable agriculture practices and technologies.
• Promote use of organic and ecologically sustainable farming methodologies through establishment of demonstration plots in selected farms.
• Participate in field days and agricultural shows.
• Carry out school trainings and participate in other school events to promote knowledge and skills development on ecological sustainable agriculture technologies for school going children.
• Train farmer groups on sound organizational development in order to benefit from better and more reliable markets.
• Conduct regular farmer visits and follow-ups to deepen skills and knowledge acquired from other training activities.
• Using FCP participatory methods and tools, lead farmer groups in participatory needs identification and analysis leading to development of farmer action plans
• Facilitate linkages with organic sector value chain actors with a focus to support improved access to markets by the target farmers.
• Promote the use of FCP information and communication pathways (TOF magazine, TOF radio and Infonet) to increase awareness and knowledge on benefits of organic farming and environmental conservation.
• Proactively engage and coordinate with relevant County governments departments, NGOs and other institutions in your region of operation and foster mutual beneficial partnerships.
• Respond in a timely manner to queries raised by farmers through visits to the resource centres and BvAT’s Tusemezane platform.
• Complete in a timely manner staff appraisal with the Farmer Field Officer in line with BvAT’s Appraisal system.
• Participate in monthly center project review meetings and present your monthly activity plans and reports submit using the provided templates (currently provided under the Kobo Toolbox).
• Perform other related duties as may be required and assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications

Education and Knowledge

• Diploma in organic agriculture, agricultural extension, rural development, crop production, livestock development, community development or any other closely related discipline in any agriculture related field

Work experience

• At least 2 years in a similar position

Specialized Knowledge and skills required

• Communication Skills (verbal and written)
• Facilitation skills
• Report writing skills
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Data collection and entry
• Computer skills

Personal Attributes

• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Self-discipline
• Flexibility
• Creativity