ABOUT FARM AFRICA

Effective agriculture has the power to change lives. It underpins prosperity, food security and stability the world over. Farm Africa focuses on transforming agriculture and managing natural resources sustainably. We champion a holistic approach that boosts yields, protects the environment and connects smallholder farmers to thriving markets.

We work with different types of farmers in a range of regions. Their local situations vary, but the problems they face are all too familiar: lack of training and technology, inadequate inputs, no finance, vulnerability to climate change and poor links to markets.

We have an ambitious strategy to expand our work over the next five years. We’ll increase our impact. Lift more communities out of poverty. Work with more corporate partners who share our vision. Open up more agricultural markets. Provide more expertise.

We’ll make change happen.

BACKGROUND

Farm Africa is implementing a large number of projects/programmes in the areas of agriculture (crop and livestock), natural resources management and market engagement across Ethiopia. We are increasingly designing and implementing complex and integrated multi-sector projects, some by ourselves and others in partnership with like-minded organizations in the form of consortium.

Currently, Farm Africa is implementing SIDA funded programme in partnership with SOS Sahel Ethiopia, International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Population, Health & Environment Ethiopia Consortium (PHE EC) and Sustainable Environment and Development Action (SEDA, MELCA and TechnoServe) in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) and Majang Forest Biosphere of Ethiopia. The programme is implemented in different woredas of Oromiya, SNNP and Gambella Regional States.

The G4F II programme will test and demonstrate interventions in an integrated multi-sectorial landscape approach, to show how improved management of the environment will provide multiple socio-economic and ecological benefits in a way this ensures resilient and sustainable development. As the project follows an integrated and multi-sectorial landscape approach it focuses on Community-based NRM, agriculture, food security/livelihood, market development; water resources management, irrigation and landscape management; Social, economic and environmental programmes, behaviour change and policy influencing as well as environmental conservation, improved agriculture, women’s empowerment, agricultural value chains and disaster risk management

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The purpose of the Programme and Livelihood Officer is to provide overall support to G4F program manager, Project coordinators and technical staffs in the day to day G4FII program and projects planning, implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation. This post contributes to ensuring G4F program and projects are delivered to the highest standard of project donor contract’s requirements, are compliant with GoE regulations, and achieve maximum possible macro and meso-level impacts as well as delivering value for money. The post holder coordinates and facilitates the delivery of support service functions to projects and ensuring that the use of these services is planned and delivered in a timely and efficient manner so that effective programme delivery can be ensured. The post holder will have significant responsibilities in helping Programme Manager, Project Coordinators and other G4FII program staff to develop annual budgets and activity plans in line with donor contracts and Farm Africa internal financial policies and procedures.  The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring that donor and government progress and final reports are submitted on time, in the correct format. He/she will assist in planning and organizing quarterly projects/program review meetings as well as the annual Project Progress Review (PPR).

The incumbent is also responsible to coordinate planning and execution of climate resilient agricultural/livelihood (crop & Livelihood) and marketing related activities of the G4F ii program and projects. He/she will be specifically responsible in planning, execution of capacity building trainings, facilitate input supply, organize farmers groups, support VSLAs with technical advice, and provide technical support to government and partner counterparts.  He/she ensures that communities are engaged in improved high value crop and livestock production, processing and marketing. In coordination with the program manager and project coordinators, he/she will ensure good partnership with government stakeholders, community members, CBOs, consortium partners, CSOs, private sectors and other relevant partners in the operational areas of the G4F II program.

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key roles and responsibilities are:

• Take part in the assessment, planning, implementation, supervision, monitoring, review and evaluation of program/projects.
• Ensure procurements are done on time for each projects as per the quarterly procurement plan and purchase request by closely working with the procurement section of the country and field offices.
• Ensure that the necessary and appropriate resources are available, on time, to meet planning and budgeting requirements, including sub-contractors and consultants
• Organize and facilitate trainings and events such as donor and high level field visit programs, partners meetings, quarterly/annual partners review meetings, PPR, Q reviews, and workshops.
• Work with the finance team and the operational team in ensuring the preparation and submission accurate forecasting. , review BMR,
• Work with the finance team and review BMR and report to the PM in budget tracking.
• Support in compiling plans and reports as well as field visit reports.
• Assist in drafting and reviewing ToR for new recruitments and consultancy works.
• Provide hands-on support to PMs/PCs to ensure approved projects are delivered according to the contractual requirements of donors or other stakeholders.
• Attend various meetings as assigned by the Program Manager.
• Feed into the monitoring and evaluation process and plans to ensure these will be very effective in assessing and recording progress and results in innovative work areas
• Participate in monitoring of project implementation with team members and other partners and give heads up on a regular basis to the MEL expert
• Lead the team in the preparation and submission of draft periodical activity reports.
• Record minutes of meetings and report to the PM and other team members as necessary.
• Liaise with other partner organizations and team members to ensure the timely submission of reports, and ensure their compliance with agreed MoUs.
• Assist in project data collection and management of projects data base.
• Support in other tasks of the PM in the day to day program
• Take part in the assessments and surveys of crop and livestock related activities used for the planning and management purpose
• Assess and identify climate resilient agricultural activities and support
• Facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, review and evaluation of crop and livestock related activities
• Promote Climate-smart agriculture such as improved agricultural practices and diversification where appropriate;
• Sustainable livestock management: Development of sustainable community water management system for livestock and livestock productivity improvement (including forage development)
• Small business group development: Beekeeping and honey production development, Women milk processing cooperatives, Goat husbandry cooperatives, Gum and resin production cooperatives, Livestock trading support, Business and product development training, Vegetable crops production support, Fruit trees development support, Establishing livestock marketing system, Support for community ecotourism development
• Organizes and coordinates capacity building trainings and workshop for beneficiaries, consortium partners, CBOs, private sectors on the improved agronomic and livestock practices and support.
• Facilitate market linkage of crop and livestock producing and marketing groups to  private sectors
• Identifies and promotes innovative livelihood programming approaches and interventions to achieve project objectives, and suited to the particular conditions and needs of diverse client groups in the operational areas;
• In collaboration with project staff and project coordinator and other stakeholders, ensures appropriate beneficiaries are targeted, trained and provided with proper inputs.
• Assess and monitor all services in terms of rate of return, unit costs, cost efficiency other relevant economic and financial methods and standard agricultural economics.
• Follow up & monitor implementation of livelihood activities as per the plans.
• Participate in assessment, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation processes of the project activities.
• Prepare and develop status reports as required by management.
• Ensure proper recording and documentation of best practices and success stories
• Ensure that the project implemented according to original plan and project proposal.
• Involve relevant government department staffs at various levels in the implementation of the project and aware them the progress.
• Monitor and document the project progress, lessons, good experience and impact with rural community specially men & women.
• Submit monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the project coordinator.
• Work closely with other Farm Africa staffs.
• Establish and maintain good working relationship with GO, Research institutions and community members.
• Provide regular technical support to community members/beneficiaries, extension workers, development facilitators, government staffs, private sectors and consortium partners on the crop and livestock activities
• Work in good partnership with all stakeholders of the project at community, woreda, zone and regional levels
• Prepares progress reports on time, and of high quality that focuses crop and livestock related activities;
• Ensures documentation of implantation processes, lessons learned and best practices in the project program component, and design strategies for replication/scaling-up tested approaches throughout the program, Farm Africa and beyond;
• Keeps up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples in-country and internationally, to ensure ongoing organizational and personal development and learning;
• Support the PM in ensuring reports are informed by the relevant data
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor.

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

DURATION: two years with probation period of 60 days

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Qualifications & other knowledge

Essential

• BSC/MSc in development studies, Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics, Plant Sciences, General Agriculture, Livestock /Animal science and other related disciplines
• Knowledge of the Agricultural development policy in Ethiopia
• Knowledge of  gender and social inclusiveness

Desirable

• Training on Project Cycle management,
• Training on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA),
• Training on agricultural extension systems and value chain development Knowledge of the crop/livestock development and marketing

Experience

Essential

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in livelihood , crop and livestock development
• Practical experience of working on agricultural extension, crop and livestock development areas
• Experience of project planning ,implementation and monitoring and evaluation
• Experience working in the area of value chain and economic strengthening of rural community

Desirable

• Previous NGO work experience in agricultural ( crop & livestock development) and marketing
• Working in partnership/consortium

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Very good English language skills (written and spoken)
• Computer literacy, excellent record keeping and report writing
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Good team building skills and the ability to work in a multi partner approach
• Budget and financial management, training need assessment and training facilitation
• Willingness to reside in rural/marginal areas, ability to work with minimum supervision
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of Farm Africa
• Good community level facilitation and coordination skills

Desirable

• Knowledge of local languages is advantageous

Our VALUES

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.

GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.

BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.