With funding from the Irish Aid through the Concern Worldwide-Liberia under its Livelihoods, Innovation, Food Security, and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) Programme, Serving Humanity for Empowerment and Development (SHED) is seeking a qualified Liberian to occupy the vacant positions in her upcoming food security project “Strengthening food and nutrition security through livestock promotion in Grand Bassa County, Liberia” conforming to the job description below of the position. The project is geared toward providing improved market systems for diverse and nutritious crops and livestock (poultry), and increased agricultural production and on-farm processing for smallholder and subsistence farmers, agriculture cooperatives, and women and youth groups in rural communities of Grand Bassa County.

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.

JOB/POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) is responsible for coordination, implementation, monitoring, 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 crop and poultry productions, including animal and plant nutrition. The AFO is also responsible to provide technical support to project beneficiaries/participants on crop production, poultry rearing, and their nutritional benefits, 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;
• 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 products;
• Conduct farmer-training programme in poultry, and crop productions, including prevention, control, treatment, and the nutritional benefits;
• Support the formulation and processing raw materials into poultry feed;
• Provides monthly update/reports of the poultry component of the project;
• Ability to identify, diagnose, and prescribe medication or vaccines for poultry birds;
• Supervise and monitor farmers’ implementation from planting to harvesting of products;
• 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;
• Liaise with Concern field staff by share work plans and attend monthly coordination meeting in the district/ county.

EDUCATION/ EXPERIENCE/ CREDENTIALS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Animal Science 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 poultry rearing, crop 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 address of SHED:

Ms. Mosetta Nyema, Administrative Assistant- SHED

Email mosetta.nyema@shed-liberia.org

All applications must be received by 17:00, Friday May 17, 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.