Sector/Program: Agriculture
Position Location: Katete District- possible co-located with the District offices
Reports to: Project Manager, Sustainable Integrated Land Management Solutions (SILMS) for Agricultural Value Chains in Zambia
Responsible for: Promoting sustainable integrated land management practices and market access for smallholder farmers.
Key contacts: MAL, SCCI, ZARI, ICRAF, Processors, Commodity Associations,
Anticipated Start Date: 1st January 2016
Project background:
Sustainable Integrated Land Management Solutions (SILMS) is a market-based approach project that aims to increase incomes for smallholder farmers through adoption of the sustainable land management practices that incorporate Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), Agroforestry and Deforestation-free Supply Chains. Conceptually, the project combines climate change mitigation with agricultural adaption strategies and is based on in-depth understanding of the dynamics that have prevented a wider uptake of sustainable land management practices by small holder farmers in Zambia.
Small holder farmers in the project are incentivized through increased income that comes from improved market access and use of sustainable production practices increasing yields. Enabling increased production requires the development of local market systems that enhance availability of ISFM technology and modern farm inputs; increased access to commercial agroforestry and improved seed multiplication enterprises; increased availability of extension services through market-oriented agro dealerships; and increased access to crucial services such as finance and soil testing. In addition the project will also pilot SNV’s globally-tested Deforestation Free Supply Chain approach in the cotton landscape to mitigate further deforestation and degradation in Eastern province.
SNV is therefore seeking applications from suitably qualified Zambians to fill in the position of Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Practices Officer - Agribusiness
Job Purpose
The Agriculture and Sustainable Land Management Practices Officer shall mobilize and coordinate all the activities at the district level that foster adoption of sustainable land management practices amongst small holder farmers and facilitate market linkages for the preselected value chains. These include but are not limited to Soya, Beans, and Groundnuts Cotton. She / He will work closely with the DACO office and other teams from implementing partner organizations.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities:
- Take up the liaison roles with project partners on all the project activities in the assigned District.
- Promote interventions that enhance uptake of sustainable integrated land management practices amongst smallholder farmers in the district.
- Mobilize and coordinate all the trainings at the district level.
- In collaboration with other chain actors develop market linkages for the commodity associations.
- Promote and support inclusive business models amongst the selected value chain actors and farmers associations.
- Carry out data collection and M&E activities at the district level.
Specific activities include the following:
- Develop annual project work plans; set milestones and benchmarks to achieve project objectives related to sustainable integrated land management practices at the district level.
- Mobilize key actors for the all project activities at district level; including but not limited to baseline, value chain assessments and consultative meetings.
- With the guidance from the project manager, identify and mobilize the potential Agro dealers, farmers for seed multiplication, and Tree nursery enterprises and prepare them for relevant trainings.
- Coach and mentor the trained Agro dealers, the seed multipliers, and Tree nursery entrepreneurs as effective and efficient service providers to farmers.
- Jointly with the DACO’s office identify the target agriculture camp sites, and work closely with Camp officers to coordinate the farmer trainings on ISFM, GAP and Agroforestry and the establishment of demo sites.
- Work closely with SCCI on the Seed multiplication initiative and facilitate market linkages between trained seed multipliers, agro dealers and small holder farmers through the associations.
- Organize cross-site learning among farmers and the general community on sustainable agriculture practices and agroforestry
- Support the associations to implement the developed Business strategies.
- Raise awareness of smart subsidies for kits and technical support for soil testing to agro dealers and smallholder farmers and lead in the verification and monitoring of the access to subsidies.
- In coordination with other SNV projects mobilize the project partners, stakeholders and beneficiaries partake in District financial fairs.
- Regularly visit stakeholders with DACO’s office to provide support, monitoring and collection of data.
- Attend and contribute to coordination meetings at district, and provincial level on behalf of the project.
- Report writing
- Documentation, filing and record keeping for the one person field office.
Competencies, Capabilities and Attributes (Skills/behavioral (Special Training or Competence) :
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work under pressure and to deliver quality products that meet deadlines and requirements
- Team player
- Relationship builder
- Ability to work with a wide range of actors from different backgrounds (smallholder farmers, private sector companies, government, and NGOs)
Academic & professional qualifications, Knowledge and Experience: (detail Knowledge (Education & Related Experience)
- BSc in Agronomy, Agriculture. Ag. Economics, agribusiness or other related degree.
- Knowledge of ISFM, and Agroforestry will be an added advantage
- Strong monitoring and project reporting skills
- Experience in smallholder farmer mobilization, and coordinating trainings
- At least 5 years of work experience in the Agriculture sector in Zambia,
- Knowledge of the Zambian Agriculture industry
- Excellent written English and ability to work with MS-office package
- At least 2 years working with an NGO in Zambia
Working environment: This is a field office position to be based at the District, with intermittent travel to Lusaka. The applicant is to have a valid driving license must be able to drive a 4x4 vehicle.
How to Apply
Applicants should submit an application letter addressed to the Country Operations Manager with full updated CV, pay rate history for the last three years, three professional references including their email addresses and day contact phone numbers.
Applications indicating the position applied for should be submitted tozambia@snvworld.org and copy to phiri@snvworld.org not later than Friday 13th November, 2015. Please do not attach any academic and professional certificates.
Closing date:
Friday, November 13, 2015
Type of contract:
Local
