With funding from the German Cooperation Deutsche Zusammenarbeit (BMZ) and the Welthungerhilfe (WHH), Serving Humanity for Empowerment and Development (SHED), formerly Finn Church Aid (FCA) is seeking qualified Liberians to occupy the vacant positions in her upcoming food security project “Increasing Production and Consumption of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes as part of the system Strengthening Approached in Liberia” conforming to the job descriptions below of the various positions. The project is geared toward providing improved economic and nutritional livelihoods through localized, commercial Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) and vegetables productions for women, adolescents and the elderly in rural communities in Montserrado, Bong, Grand Bassa and Margibi Counties. The requested vacancies are full time positions that will provide relevant support to the implementation of the project, ensuring that the project meets its objective outlined below:

About SHED

SHED, formerly Finn Church Aid is a Liberian organization established as a national office following FCA’s ten (10) years of work in Liberia. We are a right based organization working in four thematic areas: right livelihoods, right peace, right quality education, and Watsan. Our head office is located Rehab Junction, Opposite Calvary Chapel School. SHED’s action is guided by international human rights standards and principles. As a right based actor, SHED facilitates dialogues and peace building between the right-holders and duty bearers to address root causes of conflict.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) is responsible for coordination, implementation and reporting of all agricultural activities within his/her respective assigned areas in accordance with the best practices of the project. The agricultural activities will mainly focus on Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potatoes (OFSP) and vegetable productions. The AFO is also responsible to provide technical support to project beneficiaries/participants, including the provision of agricultural related trainings at the field level.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as primary liaison of SHED to government representatives at county level and communities, including attending meetings at the field office level;
• Shall set up, maintain, monitor and report on a series of best vegetables management practices and field demonstrations with participating farmers with in the four counties
• Engage in the mobilization, awareness raising, and supervision of farmers for project implementation;
• Engage in aspects of the production, processing, value addition, transportation or marketing of farm product;
• Conduct farmer-training program in OFSP and vegetable productions, including prevention, control, and treatment;
• Supervise and monitor farmers’ implementation from planting to harvesting of products;
• Provides technical advice for the advancement of OFSP and vegetables productions;
• Provides monthly update/reports of the project activity at county level
• Make follow-up and report new cases affecting farmers to SHED’s Demonstration Farm and project management team for possible solutions;
• Establish an enabling environment for the farmers, where they can share their farming problems and seek collective solution (Farm Field School);
• Ensure that Farmers adopt Climate SMART Agriculture in the field;

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE/ CREDENTIALS

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agri-Business or related fields. Associate (AA) degree or its equivalent in any of the above/similar discipline fields may be considered;
• At least 5 years of experience working with farmers in vegetable production and marketing;
• Experience with community mobilization and working with INGOs/NGOs;
• Capacity and willingness to learn new skills, research methods, and work routinely under the mentorship of Team/Project Leader;
• Knowledgeable of Village Saving Loan Association (VSLA) and Farmer Field School Approach;
• Computer literate with proficiency in MS Office;
• Report writing;
• Ability to ride bike.

How to Apply:

• A letter explaining your suitability for the role of no more than one page, and CV, as well as contact details for three referees (including latest, or current employer) should be addressed to and sent by email only to the following addresses of SHED:

Mrs. Joyce Queeglay-Pajibo, Executive Director SHED

Email joyce.pajibo@shed-liberia.org

Mr Emmanuel Sandi, Programme Director SHED

Email: Emmanuel.sandi@shed-liberia.org

All applications must be received by 17:00, Friday January 19, 2024. Kindly indicate the position you are applying for in the “subject” section of your email and your letter of motivation as well. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Kindly note that, due to the high volume of responses, only short-listed candidates will be invited to an interview, which will also include proficiency tests. Women are highly encouraged to apply.