Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, October 10 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Technical Focus
• The incumbents will support preparation of agronomy work plans, input procurement and distribution plans, farmer capacity building plans and day to day follow up of implementation partners (districts, provinces, etc) on activities promoting smallholder farmers adoption of SIPs for sustainable intensification of crop production.

Tasks and responsibilities
• Up to date work plans, input procurement and distribution plans and farmer capacity building plans on agronomy and sustainable mechanization interventions under the project.
• Day-to-day follow up of implementation partners (districts, provinces, private sector, etc) on routine on agronomy and sustainable mechanization interventions under the project.
• Routine solicitation and collation of planning and implementation information from all partners and prepare the information for use in agronomy technical reports and activity workplans.
The Project Assistants will support implementation of the SIFAZ project strategies in promoting sustainable agricultural mechanization, crop husbandry and sustainable intensification practices among smallholder farmers. Specifically, the incumbents will undertake the following activities:
• Support the synthesis of ecologically adapted research results on each recommended climate change mitigation practices, yield gap reduction practices, agricultural mechanization, and SIPs technology packages. This will include supporting the formulation of implementation protocols for agronomy and appropriate mechanization promotion; and supporting the generation of key capacity building and training material targeted for smallholder farmers and other stakeholders under the project.
• Support the logistical, procurement and operational planning, authorisations and approvals of programme activities involving agronomy and appropriate mechanization promotion among smallholder farmers under the project.
• Support the routine work planning and implementation of the agronomic and appropriate mechanization strategy under the project. This will involve:
o Updating and maintaining up to date records of activity and process implementation plans, budgets, and logistical requirements for implementation of agronomy and appropriate mechanization strategy under the project.
o Following up and tracking of performance of implementing partners contracted through Letter of Agreements and other contracts issued under the project with a particular focus on agronomy and appropriate mechanization promotion.
o Support the designing and implementation of agronomy and appropriate mechanization trainings, capacity building activities and mentoring of project beneficiary farmers, implementing partners, cooperative leaderships and SME linked to farmers cooperatives under the SIFAZ project.
o Support the development of agronomy and mechanization components of routine data collection and analysis methodologies (household surveys, soil sampling and testing, crop and biomass harvesting and estimations, community interviews, key informants, focus group discussions, etc). This includes identification of key technical variables, synthesis, and interpretation of analytical results.
• Support the development of content for the e-extension and digital platforms under the project. Such content to cover and recommended climate change mitigation measures, appropriate mechanization and SIPs technology packages making them available for dissemination through e-extension platforms. This will focus on ensuring appropriate agronomy and mechanization messages are properly integrated in all extension material under the project.
• Support review of monitoring and evaluation results and reports to identify key technical issues involving agronomy and mechanization raised from such reports and supporting formulation of solutions to enhance or address any issues identified from project monitoring and evaluation results.
• Support the compilation of reports, organizing, analysing, and preparing data for ad hoc reports, fact sheets, resource partner reports, briefing notes, and other reporting and communication products as per the program activities.
• Contribute to the timely production of cartographic products and mapping of agronomy and agricultural mechanization activities under the project. This includes liaison with data analysis specialist and GIS and mapping associate under the project to ensure timely production of various maps on various project activities.
• Support to information and knowledge management systems in the program by contributing to adequate and frequent updates, access and standardization of program information and agricultural situation analysis under the program.
• Perform any other related duties, as required for successful execution of SIFAZ agronomy and appropriate mechanization promotion strategies.

Minimum Requirements
Candidates should meet the following:
• Minimum a university degree in agronomy, agricultural mechanization, natural resource management, or other fields related to the FAO mandate.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in field implementation of project activities, project operations and support involving agronomy, and/or agricultural mechanization promotion.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Zambia

FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria
Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word-processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. Candidates will be assessed against the following:
• Extent and relevance of experience in field level coordination, supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of multi-stakeholder projects.
• Extent and relevance of experience working with national and local governments, private sector, NGOs, academic and research institutions, including the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is considered a strong asset.
• Level of communication skills, writing skills including ability to write concise technical reports in English.
• Familiarity with FAO and UN (in general) administrative, operational, and financial procedures is an asset.

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 24

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• Interested and qualified? Click here to apply

All Jobs

QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION