Uganda: Agronomist ( 1 position) Based in Kotido - Open to Uganda Nationals

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

The Agronomist will work to improve the economic future and quality of life of the GHG program beneficiaries. The ability of the Agronomist to drive the implementation of effective agricultural extension services and the adoption of improved agronomic practices will be the position’s first and primary success factors. The second will be the degree to which that person promotes and captures learning with her/his team, institutionalizing activity reviews, identifying and evaluating preconceptions and promoting a culture of inquisition. The third success factor will be the degree to which that person successfully incorporates gender into program activities, not just by meeting gender beneficiary targets, but also be innovatively considering the specific needs of women farmers and their constraints to farming (time, land, money, etc.)

The Agronomist oversees the implementation of several agriculture-related project activities, such as agricultural extension services and training, seed multiplication, demonstration plot establishment and management, liaising with key stakeholders including National Agricultural Research Organizations (NARO) or ZARDI, local government production department, agro-input dealers, and other GHG program staff. In addition, work involves considerable monitoring and assessing agricultural conditions and results.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop messages, structures and systems to continually improve GHG’s Agricultural 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.
2. Directly supervise and provide leadership to GHG’s Agricultural Extension Workers (estimated between 12 and 22) to ensure effective use of resources and successful targeting of services to the Districts’ most vulnerable farmers.
3. Serve as the primary liaison and coordinator between GHG and NabuZARDI to tap NabuZardi’s experience, knowledge and materials for the benefit of Northern Karamoja farmers.
4. Identify technologies, practices, tools, equipment, varieties and partners that have the greatest potential to improve the agricultural productivity of Northern Karamoja and food security of the area’s most vulnerable, and engage/introduce them into GHG.
5. Oversee the implementation of quality demonstration plots, seed multiplication plots, and possibly nurseries that may be supported by GHG.
6. Coordinate with other GHG teams and partners, including but not limited to: Livestock, Financial Access, Urban Development, Maternal and Child Health, KAPDA, AWOTID.
7. Incorporate gender into program activities, not just by meeting gender beneficiary targets, but also be innovatively considering the specific needs of women farmers and their constraints to farming (time, land, money, etc.)
8. Participate in the development of work plans, program reviews, assessments, monitoring activities, learning and evaluations.
9. Provide data in support of team submission of timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
10. Assist with overall implementation of agriculture activities; develop future follow-on activity and anything additional as required.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

· Create a dynamic program environment that promotes inquiry;

· Take primary responsibility for sector-focused data gathering;

· Establish procedures and guidelines to monitor and evaluate the progress and impact of economic development support work including setting and measuring benchmarks along results chains;

· Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;

• Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Information Officers (MALIO) to ensure accurate and timely flow of information from the field into database and for preparation of communication reports

Other:Professional and personal conduct in line with Mercy Corps’ values, standards and codes of conduct.

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

· Preferably, a minimum of a B.Sc. in agronomy or related field.

· Minimum of 5 years of management experience with extension services, agricultural productivity programming, farmer training and mobilization, activities with women, and similar relevant activities.

· Must be a proven leader who can effectively manage other staff and work within a team, work independently, and take initiative.

· The successful candidate will also have excellent English language verbal and written communication skills; proficiency in Ng’akarimojong or Leb Thur is also preferable.

Candidate must be willing and able to extensively travel throughout the program area (Northern Karamoja) and have a license to ride a motorbike

Applications: Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org. Deadline for Submission:Close of business on Friday July 17, 2015Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.