Farmer Field Assistants (FFA) at Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)

BvAT is seeking to recruit qualified persons for the following vacant positions:

2 POSITIONS IN BUNGOMA AND BUSIA COUNTIES

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.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities:

• Responsible for keeping an updated database of 200 farmers (currently submitted monthly via Kobo Toolbox) to be reached through FCP activities.
• With particular focus to registered farmers in the database, conduct farmer training activities on ecological sustainable agriculture in line with stipulated training guidelines.
• Promote use of organic and ecologically sustainable farming methodologies through establishment of demonstration plots in selected farms.
• Participate in farmer field days and agricultural shows and promote BvAT’s knowledge products.
• Carry out school trainings and participate in school events to promote knowledge and skills among the students on ecological sustainable agriculture technologies for school going children.
• Train farmer groups on sound organizational management and leadership and harness the social capital for promotion of ESA practices among the members.
• Identify market opportunities for farmers produce and facilitate beneficial linkages with the transporters, processors and traders.
• 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 resource centre project review meetings and submit your monthly activity plans and reports using the provided templates (currently provided under the Kobo Toolbox).
• Perform other related duties as may be required and assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Education Qualification and Work Experience

Education

Diploma from a reputable institution 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 3 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