JOB OPPORTUNITY

BRAC is a global leader in developing and implementing cost-effective, evidence-based programs to empower marginalized people in extremely poor, conflict-prone, and post-disaster settings. Founded in Bangladesh in 1972, BRAC has reached more than 100 million people across 11 countries in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. BRAC Liberia has operated in this country since 2008, implementing social development programs across 12 counties and 48 branches implementing six programs; Agriculture, Food Security and Livelihoods (AFSL), Youth Empowerment, Ultra

Poor Graduation, Education, Health, and Microfinance.

The AFSL program aims to reduce food insecurity and malnutrition in Liberia by developing the capacity of smallholder farmers on climate-smart agriculture practices, to build resilience while developing nutrition-sensitive agriculture and strengthening the market systems of small and medium entrepreneurs. The AFSL program has reached approximately 312,500 people and enabled 62,500 agriculture poultry and livestock SHFs to increase their income and resilience and improve their nutrition outcomes.

BRAC Liberia is a sub-awardee on the USAID Food Security, Nutrition, and Resilience (FSNR) Activity in Liberia working with RTI International as the prime. This is a five-year (2023-2028) activity that will target smallholder subsistence farmers, farmer cooperatives, women, and youth groups in rural and peri-urban communities to improve food and nutrition security and households’ resilience. The project will work with smallholder farmers in rural agricultural communities to increase agricultural productivity and build household and community resilience. FSNR will emphasize crop diversification to increase the production and marketing of higher-value and nutritious foods.

BRAC Liberia is seeking applications from competent, dynamic, and self-motivated individuals to fill the position of Agricultural Extension Specialist to support attaining the FSNR Activity project goals and objectives by providing technical advice and direction as appropriate. No. of Vacancies: 1

Job Title: Agricultural Extension Specialist, FSNR Project Category : National

Tenure : 1 year

Salary : Negotiable

Reports to : Programme Manager

Duty Station : Monrovia with frequent travel to other counties

Safeguarding Job Responsibilities

1. Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, and exploitation to achieve BRAC’s goals on safeguarding.
2. Act as a resource of support and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment.
3. Practice, promote, and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action.
4. Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, and encourage other to do so.

Job Summary

The Agricultural Extension Specialist will be responsible for most activities under objective #1, providing smallholder farmers knowledge on agricultural techniques and skills to improve their productivity, food security, and livelihoods; including capacitating Community Service Providers (CSPs) for sustained extension service delivery to farmers and cooperatives, and assisting CSPs and farmer groups in incorporating new technologies in production and processing to meet market demands, safety standards, and an increased focus on nutritious foods.

This position will be based in Monrovia.

Key Duties Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Provide technical advice to the project team on agriculture, poultry, and livestock-related intervention in the project locations on sustainable agricultural productivity and value chain development activities.
• Provide technical support and capacity building (e.g. training, workshop, exposure visit) to FSNR project staff, volunteers, government counterparts, and private sectors. • Provide capacity-building training for agro-entrepreneurs with emphasis on developing women and youth entrepreneurs including line ministries to enhance and engage the private sector and attract investment.
• Linking farmer cooperatives with value chain actors including processors, traders, entrepreneurs, government counterparts, etc. through business-to-business (B2B) workshops.
• Provide support to consultant to assess the existing cooperatives and develop a strategic and business plan for their sustainability.
• Facilitate to development of learning materials (e.g. training module, guidelines, flip chart, leaflet/booklet, policy/strategy papers, etc.) required for the FSNR project. • Facilitate regular project meetings to disseminate technical know-how, and information sharing (e.g. field findings, general updates) between regional project staff and project management.
• Design and review training modules, manuals, and materials (leaflets and flip charts) on climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, improved poultry and livestock rearing techniques, and entrepreneurs’ skills.
• Design and conduct training needs assessment for project staff and beneficiaries. • Roll out technical training and capacity-building activities to project staff, CSPs, other departments, partners, farmers, and other stakeholders.
• Disseminate market information and nutrition awareness through radio promos, talk shows, and marketing workshops.
• Prepare technical briefs and communication documentation about the project
• Coordinate with relevant stakeholders (MOA, CARI, Africa Rice, private sector, etc.) for production, processing, and marketing of agriculture products & development of the sector.
• Maintain good relationships and coordination with the local and international NGOs for better collaboration for agriculture developments.

Carry out any other duties assigned by the management.

MAJOR CHALLENGES

• Country-specific training manual development, clear training roll-out, and staff capacity building plan
• Ability to effectively guide and manage TSOs in their respective roles ● Timely and effective delivery of all livelihood and market development-related activities ● individual/specific KPIs as agreed with the supervisor

Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)/ B.Sc. in Animal Husbandry/Agricultural Economics/Livelihood Development or related field. A master’s degree in these disciplines is preferred.
• At least 5 years’ experience in project implementation, reporting, and overall management in an international organization;
• Direct involvement in agriculture production and marketing-related intervention for smallholder farmers through market development approaches;
• Excellent working experience in establishing effective linkage with different input/ service providers, private sector, Government, and NGO officials, experience in handling teams of multi-dimensional programs;
• Development of training materials for facilitating marketing and other technical training related to agriculture production, processing, and marketing as well as organizing, coordinating, and facilitating training for staff and farmers both of Partner Organization and Project;
• Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID;

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Facilitate technical support to project staff, coordination, and problem-solving skills through field experiences
• Implementation planning, staff supervision, and critical decision-making skills • Significant exposure to agriculture, social business, and development programs in developing settings, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Through understanding and knowledge of cross-cutting issues such as nutrition, gender & its integration into agriculture, and development programs addressing food security & hidden hunger
• Exceptional people (interpersonal) skills and communications (oral & written) skills, solid stakeholder relations experiences, excellent public relations and facilitation skills • Proven track record of working in challenging (both rural and urban) field locations • Computer skills: Advanced user of MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and Google apps
• Proven ability to perform under pressure and prioritize with multiple competing demands. • Familiarity with BRAC’s work and/or experience working on livelihood and food security programs.

Others

• Ability to travel frequently within project areas in Liberia
• Exceptional interpersonal, management, and communication skills
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English

BRAC is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. Therefore, our hiring process includes extensive background checks and criminal records disclosure. BRAC is an equal opportunities employer.

All qualified and interested applicants can submit a cover letter with their CVs with three referees, one of which should be your current or most recent employer/line manager, along with a copy of your educational qualification. Applications should be submitted by email to: bracrecruitement@gmail.com , with the position title on the subject line.

DEADLINE: April 18, 2024

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORT-LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED Preference will be given to qualified female candidates!