Country: Uganda
Closing date: 06 Feb 2018
PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps implements high-quality, analytical development work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA, WFP. We are currently implementing a market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program working in the northern and southern half of Karamoja (Amudat, Moroto Kaabong and Kotido districts) and in search of competent and creative persons to fill the positions of Assistant Agronomists. The project, called Apolou aims to support the immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern and Southern Karamoja.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Assistant Agronomist will directly be in the frontline and responsible for successful implementation and rolling-out of good farming practices which may include crop rotation/intercropping, seedbed preparation, planting, weed, pest and disease control measures, postharvest handling and storages, soil water conservation, perma-gardening and crop/livestock integration through field based training.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
· Participate in developing messages, structures and systems to continually improve Apolous Agricultural Private sector led Extension Services to improve the productivity of poor farmers and help them turn that productivity into improved food security and livelihoods. Focus is on crop production, vegetable gardening and post-harvest handling.
· Directly take lead in Apolou Agricultural Extension Work and supervise field activities to ensure effective use of resources and successful targeting of services to the most vulnerable beneficiaries’ farmers in northern and Southern Karamoja.
· Actively participate in community mobilization and sensitization for adoption of best Famer field school agronomic practices.
· Identify training needs, production constraints and devise solutions to address the problems at hand.
· Conduct training of Apolou beneficiaries on selected topics in the extension curriculum and Famer Field School and ensure training is in accordance with the guidelines.
· Identify technologies, practices, tools, equipment, varieties majorly on conservation agriculture and partners that have the greatest potential to improve the agricultural productivity of Northern and Southern Karamoja and food security of the area’s most vulnerable, and engage/introduce them into GHG.
· Collect, compile, verify, enter and keep data on Apolou program beneficiaries to inform programming, this will involve collecting all Agricultural village Agents monthly reports from the field.
· Work hand in hand with the Market system development sector to guide and link farmers to access genuine agro-input implements from agro-input dealers, retailers, agents or stockiest.
· Coordinate and work closely with district production department/sub county authorities to ensure that they are informed about the program activities through curtsey visits to the Sub county headquarters of program operation and at the production department at the district.
· Prepare timely monthly progress reports by providing data to support evidence of tasks accomplished by all AVAs and other work plan activities accomplished and submit to Agronomist.
· Represent the Agronomist and the agronomy extension sector in any Apolou agricultural extension and advisory services in northern and Southern Karamoja.
· Carryout ground field verification of AVAs reports to capture the face and rate of farmer adoption to new technologies and better farming practices.
· Participate in organizing and conducting of monthly sector review meetings.
· Give technical support and ground supervision of AVAs to ensure implementation of quality demonstration plots, farmer field days, farmer exchange visits, and perma-gardening and seed nurseries bed that may be supported by Apolo program.
· Coordinate with other Apolou teams and partners, including but not limited to: Livestock, Market System development, Health System Strengthening, KAPDA, RIAMRIAM, NARWA,AIDI
· Incorporate gender mainstreaming into Apolo program activities, considering the specific needs of women farmers and their constraints to farming (time, land ownership, money, decision making etc.)
· Participate in the program reviews, assessments, monitoring activities, learning and evaluations.
· Support the Agronomist with overall implementation of agriculture activities; develop future follow-on activity and any task as required.
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
· A minimum of a B.Sc. in PURELY Agronomy is desirable and preferred.
· A minimum of 3 years field experience in agricultural extension services, agricultural programming, Famer Field school , farmer training and community mobilization, project planning, activities with women, and similar relevant activities can apply.
· Candidate must be a self starter, motivated and able to work independently and take initiative.
· Have excellent English language, verbal and written communication skills; proficiency in Ng’akarimojong or Lepthur is also preferable.
· Candidate must be willing to and able to travel extensively throughout northern Karamoja districts or program sites.
· Computer skill i.e. MS Office, MS excel and valid motorcycle riding permit is an added advantage.
How to apply:
Applications: Submit your application through email to ug-mcjobs@mercycorps.org addressed to the Senior HR and Legal Manager, Mercy Corps Uganda. Include a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates. Deadline for Submission: Close of business on Tuesday, 6thFebruary, 2018. Subject of email should include the position you are applying for. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.