JOB OPPORTUNITY
BRAC is a global leader developing and implementing cost-effective, evidence-based programs to empower the most marginalized in extremely poor, conflict-affected, and post-conflict states. BRAC now works in more than 20 countries in Asia and Africa and takes a holistic approach to alleviate poverty, running programs in education, healthcare, microfinance, women and girls’ empowerment, agriculture and food security, and human and legal rights.
No. of Vacancies: 1
Job Title : Agricultural Extension Specialist, FSNR
Staff Category : National
Tenure : 1 year
Salary : Negotiable
Reports to : TBA
Duty Station : Monrovia
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, and 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 the attainment of the FSNR Activity project goals and objectives by providing technical advice and direction as appropriate.
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 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 counterpart 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 private sector to and attract investment.
∙ Linking farmer cooperatives with value chain actors including processors, traders, entrepreneurs, government counterpart etc. through business to business (B2B) workshop. ∙ Provide support to consultant to assess the existing cooperatives and develop 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 FSNR project.
∙ Facilitate regular project meetings to disseminate technical know-how, information sharing (e.g. field findings, general update) 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 promo, talk show, marketing workshop.
∙ Prepare technical briefs and communication documentations 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 relationship and coordination with the local and international NGOs for better collaboration for agriculture developments.
∙ Carry out any other duties assigned by the management.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
○ Ensure the safety of team members from any harm, abuse, neglect, harassment and exploitation to achieve the programme’s goals on safeguarding implementation ○ Act as a key source of support, guidance and expertise on safeguarding for establishing a safe working environment
○ Practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action
○ Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place and encourage others to do the same
Education and Experience:
● Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)/ B.Sc. in Animal Husbandry/Agricultural Economics/Livelihood Development or related field. Master degree in these disciplines is preferred.
∙ At least 5 years’ experience in project implementation, reporting and overall management in international organization;
∙ Direct involvement in the agriculture production and marketing related intervention for smallholder farmers through market development approaches;
∙ Excellent working experience in establishing effective linkage with different input/ service provider, private sector, Government and NGO officials, experience in handing 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 organize, coordinate and facilitate training for staff and farmers both of Partner Organization and Project;
∙ Knowledgeable and experienced with international development contracting policies and procedures, specifically USAID;
Required 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 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: Advance 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 program.
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
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 copy of your educational qualification. Applications should be submitted by email to: bimcf.liberia@brac.net , with the position title on the subject line.
DEADLINE: April 16, 2023
PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY SHORT LISTED APPLICANTS WILL BE CONTACTED