Farmer Field Officer at Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)

Job Purpose:

• The overall purpose of this job is to contribute to the promotion of ecological 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.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish and update database of farmers being (currently submitted monthly via Kobo Collect) reached through FCP activities.
• Carry out farmer trainings to farmer community groups to provide relevant knowledge and skills development on ecological sustainable agriculture practices and technologies, based on the selected priority value chains.
•  Establishing, preparing and maintaining demonstration plots for learning purposes to promote the adoption of organic and ecologically sustainable farming methodologies.
• Participate with IEC materials in field days, agriculture shows and exhibitions.
• Organize individual farm visits and carryout follow ups to monitor the progress and any improvements.
• Plan for community-based exchange visits to learn new technologies from other farmers; leverage on such platforms to sensitize the public on the BvAT’s mandate.
• Respond to farmers’ requests/issues on any challenges they are facing by providing timely advice and feedback based on the nature of problem.
•  Train school children from participating schools on organic agriculture and agroecology.
•  Establish partnerships with like-minded, faith-based organizations, NGOs and the county government and community-based organizations.
• Contribute to content development to the TOF magazine, TOF radio and Infonet reference material to increase awareness on organic farming and importance of environment conservation.
•  Timely preparation of monthly workplans in the KoboCollect platform.
•  Undertake daily update of field activities and compile monthly reports in a timely manner and submit to the Outreach Manager.
• Record and compile articles and success stories from the farmers/beneficiaries.
• Complete in a timely manner staff appraisal with the Farmer Field Assistants in line with BvAT’s Appraisal system.
• Any other responsibilities that may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Working Relationships:

• Internal Relationships: Outreach Project Officer and Outreach Manager.
• External Relationships: Ministry of Agriculture, County Government departments, local Chiefs and leaders, and Partners in the agricultural sector.

Required Qualifications:

• Degree in either organic agriculture, agricultural extension, rural development, crop production, livestock development, community development or any other closely related discipline in agriculture
• Minimum of at least 3 years of relevant experience.
• A certificate in project management/ monitoring and evaluation will be an added advantage.

Required Skills and Competencies:
Technical Skills

• Knowledge in organic agriculture
• Report writing skills.
• Data collection skills
• Ability to network and build partnerships.
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Networking

Behavioural Skills

• Good communication skill
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Self-discipline
• Flexibility
• Creativity