PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Natural Resource Management Specialist (NRMS) will be based at Robe, Bale Zone. The purpose of NRMS position is to support SHARE program quality and impact through provision of technical assistance and advice in the areas of participatory rangeland and forest management , watershed management, land registration and land use planning, including GIS, sustainable community water management system for livestock and Livestock productivity improvement (including forage development) and Small business group development. The NRMS works closely with the project team to achieve program synergy. She/he provides capacity building and technical assistance to the SHARE partners in implementing the SHARE programme interventions, builds and maintains strategic partnerships with government technical bodies, other NGOs, civil society and the private sector, while ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation and documentation of project efforts. Provides overall technical, organizational support and play leading role in communities she/he is assigned to, including technology and best practices awareness creation and linkages. She/he supports people’s empowerment, collective action, social cohesion and inclusion as well as gender equity. Encourages active participation of and networking between individuals and communities in recognizing problems, identifying solutions, and implementing project activities related to the identified solutions. Build capacities of the community and institutions. She/he works closely with community facilitators, community leaders, committees and local government development agents. She/he takes part in community meetings for information gathering and exchange and carries out participatory planning and support field implementation. She/he is responsible for the promotion of livestock health and production through the introduction of improved system and appropriate extension service including veterinary and other health services for improved livelihood of communities. She/he ensures the establishment of linkage between Pastoral and government veterinary services.
KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To work under the direction and guidance of the project coordinator,
Consolidating and scaling up participatory rangeland management and participatory forest management
Facilitate PNRM investigations, negotiations and implementation, and formation of PNRM union
Strengthen recently established PFM cooperatives and their forest management activities,
Pilot NRM CBO formation for park users
Support participatory community monitoring in PFM Kebeles, pilot Participatory Wildlife Management in 2 Community Hunting Areas
Support the implementation of watershed management, land registration and land use planning, including GIS work in focal areas
Kebele level participatory land use planning, and support Community water management platforms
Promote Climate-smart agriculture such as agroforestry in lowland woredas and Improved agricultural practices and diversification where appropriate;
Sustainable livestock management: Development of sustainable community water management system for livestock and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development)
Small business group development: Beekeeping and honey production development, Women milk processing cooperatives, Goat husbandry cooperatives, Gum and resin production cooperatives, Livestock trading support, Business and product development training, Vegetable crops production support, Fruit trees development support, Establishing livestock marketing system, Support for community ecotourism development
Reduction of wood extraction: Establishment of Community Nursery and woodlots, popularization of fuel efficient stoves and support eco-charcoal producing groups
Gender development for enhanced Natural Resource Management
Organises and coordinates capacity building in relation to community-based monitoring, NRM/PAM, including experience sharing, CBO Financial/organizational management, and GIS and database support
Identifies and promotes innovative livelihood programming approaches and interventions to achieve SHARE program objectives, and suited to the particular conditions and needs of diverse client groups in the operational areas;
Prepares required reports on time, and of high quality that convey the SHARE program component’s progress towards achieving best practices and impact in the targeted communities;
Ensures documentation of implantation processes, Lessons learned and Best Practices in the SHARE program component, and design strategies for replication/scaling-up tested approaches throughout the program, Farm Africa and beyond;
Keeps up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples in-country and internationally, to ensure ongoing organizational and personal development and learning;
Perform other duties as assigned by SHARE Coordinator, Program Management and Farm Africa
Place of work: Robe, Bale Zone, Oromiya Region Contract period: 1 yr with a possibility of extension Terms of the position: Attractive salary & benefit package according to Farm Africa’s field staff handbook.
Job Requirement
BSc and Msc in Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Pastoral Development, Natural Resources Management, Rural Livelihoods and other related, minimum of 8 years for Bsc and 5 years for Msc with practical experience in rural development, pastoralist and natural resources management, small business group development, agro-forestry and good knowledge of gender and social inclusiveness.
Skills & abilities
Knowledge of local language is advantage;
communication skill,
good human relations,
willingness to reside in rural areas,
firm belief in teamwork,
gender equality,
conceptual understanding of participatory approach and sustainable development,
good facilitation skill, coordination,
English communication (written and spoken) ability,
excellent record of report writing,
computer skill word and excel,
ability to work with minimum supervision.
Values Farm Africa seeks to employ those who believe, as we do, that farmers can and will play a key role in achieving long-term rural prosperity in Africa and who seek to deliver on those beliefs by:
being experts in our field, delivering insightful/impactful evidence-based solutions
pushing boundaries, being creative with new and old solutions
acting for the long-term, building relationships and delivering long-lasting change for farmers
working flexibly, taking advantage of the most effective solutions, whether from the communities, private sector or government
sharing knowledge with others, reaching more farmers than we do alone, ensuring effective technologies are widely accessed.