PURPOSE OF THE ROLE The Agriculture and Livestock specialist will be based at Robe, Bale Zone. The purpose of Agriculture and Livestock Specialist (AaLS) position is to support SHARE program quality and impact through provision of technical assistance and advice in the areas of livelihood security. The AaLS outsources best practices, innovative methodologies and approaches to analyze and program interventions that address underlying causes of food and income insecurities. The AaLS 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, organisational support and play leading role in communities she/he is assigned, includiing 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. Establishes and maintains close working relationship with government technical bodies, other NGOs, civil society and the private sector. 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 livestok health and production through the introduction of improved system and appopriate extension service including vetrinary 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,
Work with the project team and government counterparts to achieve the project outputs/ capacity building/ participatory natural resource management/ sustainable natural resource based livelihoods/ Livestock/Agro forestry
In collaboration with relevant bodies carry out feasibility study of alternative ways of improving livestock productivity, e.g. improved breeds, small-scale fattening, milk processing, etc.;
In collaboration with Project coordinator prepares monthly, quarterly and annual work plans to effectively carry out livestock production activities to achieve the project development objectives;
Participates in the preparation of the plan and budget of the project to ensure coordination, feedback and integration of activities in the project;
In collaboration with relevant government counterparts carries out assessment to determine impact/benefits arising from new livestock development;
Collects baseline information related to livestock disease, access to animal health services and constraints to service delivery in collaboration with Project coordinator;
Ensures communities’ participation in all livestock related activities
Provides guidance on project implementation strategies, methodologies, and activities especially in the area of sustainable pastoral or agriculture and income, and ensure appropriate technical assistance for the other technical areas;
Provides ongoing feedback to project activities and propose adjustments in annual implementation plans according to emerging needs and priorities;
Provides guidance on appropriate approaches to promote an organizational environment that supports and encourages staff development, enhanced performance, increased program quality, and overall organizational effectiveness;
Promotes a participatory working environment that enables the development of high performing teams;
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;
Organises and coordinates needs assessment for the capacity building in relation to livelihood project implementation strategies, methodologies, and activities
With the partners, develops a capacity building plan and supervises/ contributes to the development of training material; organises and facilitates training courses and cross visits, contributes to the adaptation of materials and experiences for application in diverse cultural and social contexts
Facilitate the work of other local research partners (e.g. Medawelabo, etc.)
Facilitate the PNRM investigations, negotiations and implementation
Facilitate formation of PNRM union
Support participatory community monitoring (PCM) in PFM Kebeles
Support watershed management implementation and Community water management platforms
Facilitate and promote Agro-forestry in lowland woredas, Improved agricultural practices and diversification in FIAs
Promote sustainable livestock management including development of sustainable community water management system for livestock and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development)
Promote 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 and facilitate fuel efficient stoves and Eco-charcoal producing groups
Carryout joint planning and implementation with key community and government partners within woreda,
Take part in monitoring and evaluation of activities of the project at woreda level (quarterly, annual planning and review meetings),
Report to the supervisor any outstanding issues to seek timely solutions,
Take part in meetings to facilitate exchange of information and carry out participatory planning and support implementation in the programme area,
Builds capacities of the community representatives and committees undertake participatory monitoring of the implementation of the project works and record lessons and report to her/his supervisor.
Closely works with government institutions, CBO’s and communities at keblele and village level to ensure adequate linkages are established.
Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly reports and submit it to her/his supervisor
Collects basic information, best practices, case studies and lessons and report to her/his supervisor
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.
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 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,