INTERNAL/EXTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mercy Corps is an international humanitarian organization operating Water and Sanitation, Economic Development, Livelihoods, Capacity Building, Emergency Response, Health and Nutrition and similar sectors in the regions of Somali, Oromiya, Addis Ababa and SNNPR. Mercy Corps works with communities, public, and private sectors to implement appropriate relief, recovery and development interventions.
POSITION : Agri-Arable Technical Specialist
OPEN POSITION: One
DUTY STATION: Gode, Somali Region
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Agro-Arable Technical Specialist’s immediate objective is to develop a clear and comprehensive picture which might be included implementing a variety of agriculture-related activities, such as farmer’s group mobilization, establishing and monitoring of enterprises, collect, analysis and present data about the farms production of arable crops, and presenting these findings to improve future yields and protect the current yield. Make some economic analyses and training. In addition, work involves considerable monitoring and assessing agricultural and enterprise conditions and providing technical support to the small scale farmers and s/he produces detailed reports to deputy output 1 lead
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
• Provides high quality technical advice/support to small farmers on how to find markets within the project area but also outside of MORE project areas
• Identifies farmers, live-stock breeders in the project area that are willing to increase production and quality to become private entrepreneurs.
• Assist farmers on how to set up and register enterprises according to the local legislation.
• Identity target communities and conduct feasibility assessments for potential agriculture support via agricultural cooperatives/ associations and agro- enterprises.
• Identify and organize community groups, Cooperatives or individuals for establishing enterprises.
• Together with the Horticulture specialist, Marketing Specialist and Agri-enterprise Marketable output lead, identify crops and products that can be profitable and which marketing strategy could be adapted to the local environment.
• Introduce to farmers the idea of profitable businesses versus subsistence agriculture and encourage farmers engage in viable agricultural businesses.
• Conduct and organize training form farmers to demonstrate that businesses-like approaches are feasible.
• Assist in drafting business plans for the most successful farmer’s groups.
• Liaise with other program staff to ensure that all community projects are well-coordinated and prioritized by community members:
• Create an internal advisory service for all matters relating to crop production,
• Work closely with farm related other activities within the MORE –project area to devise an optimal crop spraying and fertigation schedule,
· Using GIS and GPS information to optimize crop production and farm lay-outs.
• Liaise with international and local agencies as necessary.
• Monitor enterprise groups and projects to ensure accountability and best use of project resources.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of activities and impact and make recommendations for improvements.
• Keep a proper filing system.
• Provide regular written reports to her/his immediate supervisor.
• Promote and adhere to the principles and objectives of Mercy Corps.
• Must attend the workshops and seminars when asked for.
• Utilize and take care of all the MC assets and equipments according to the policies. Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned.
• At least a Technical school degree, ideally a B.Sc. in an agriculture and /or agriculture business related field (ie. agronomy, animal science, veterinary medicine, horticulture, agriculture economics).
• Minimum 2-3 years of direct implementation and management of agriculture in arid land rehabilitation and development activities.
• Must be able to work independently and show initiative.
• Experience in community and farmer group mobilization.
• Ability to identify and liaise with target communities.
• Ability to make recommendations for improvement.
• Computer and basic administrative and organizational skills. Good spoken and written English.
• Willing to travel throughout the project area (Gode, Afder, Dollo & Korahay).
• Commitment to engaging most vulnerable members of community, in particular women in all agriculture activities as appropriate
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