Technical Field Officer- Agriculture

 About ORAP

The Organization of Rural Associations for Progress (ORAP) is an indigenous, culturally rooted movement for development.  It was founded in 1980 at Zimbabwe’s ascension to independence and was registered in 1981 as a welfare (charitable) organization dedicated to the promotion of rural development from the perspective of grassroots communities in Zimbabwe. Commencement of this role is aimed at ensuring sound implementation, monitoring and evaluation of ORAP programs, aligning with government, donor and other stakeholder requirements.

Project Summary

This a USAID funded Amalima Loko project ending in year 2027. The project seeks to improve food security through increased food access and sustainable watershed management. Its purposes are P1: Enhanced and inclusive local ownership over food security and resilience planning and development, P2: Watershed management improved, P3: Adaptive and absorptive capacity improved.

Position summary

The Field Officer is responsible for promoting the implementation of proven agriculture-based interventions in a manner that results in changes in people’s livelihoods leading to increased resilience among the targeted community. The incumbent is expected to oversee the implementation of innovative and proven technologies that lead to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation and/or adaptation assisting government extension officers and communities in the implementation of their plans to achieve food security goals through addressing underlying causes and major determinants of food insecurity and malnutrition.

Major Duties Include:

·   Coordinating the identification, registration, verification, monitoring and evaluation of participants in Village Savings and Lending, Marketing Systems, Value Chain Development, Agriculture and Livestock production and other livelihood activities in the communities as per donor and organizational guidelines.

·   Identifying training needs and conducting trainings on agricultural production, Village Saving and Lending, Value Chain Development, Marketing and other livelihood opportunities to targeted communities in the wards of operation.

·        Coordinating the implementation of CFA/FFA activities in the area of operation.

·      Co-ordinating with other Relief and Development Agencies, Local Authorities and Government line- ministries at field level in program areas in ensuring that food security and development interventions are well structured and articulated to appropriate target populations.

·    Ensuring that all program activities in the field are implemented, monitored and reported on as planned to the District Representative, effectively and timely according to donor and organizational requirements.

·        Ensuring stewardship in the use of organizational resources.

·        Enhancing sustainability strategies for interventions in programming as an assurance of sustainability of the program after the phase-out.

·        Ensuring that organizational goals, vision and the mission statement are clearly understood and sustained in all areas of operation in the targeted communities.

·        Ensuring that organisational policies and Code of Conduct are upheld and adhered to all times.

·        Facilitating field days and agricultural shows in the areas of operation.

·        Facilitating input fairs and exchange visits amongst farmers and buyers for both parties to learn and build on those experiences.

·      Mainstreaming gender, social behavior change and resilience in agriculture, livestock, Village Savings and Lending, Value Chain Development, Market Systems and other livelihood activities.

·        Performing any other work-related duties as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications:

·        The candidate should have at least a first Degree in Agriculture, Agricultural economics, and at least 2 years of experience in a related role. Fluency in written and spoken local languages is an added advantage.

Experience: –

·        Minimum of two years community development and/or project management experience in a government office or NGO, on issues relevant to the technical area.

·    Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment, with project stakeholders including local government officials, other NGO peers, and community members.

·        Strong interpersonal communication skills.

·        Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to write good reports, clearly, and meet deadlines.

·        Advanced computer literacy in the MS Office packages, Internet and email.

·        Fluency in written and spoken English and the local language.

·        Must be prepared to work in rural areas and in multi-cultured environment.

·        Ability to travel most of times to field sites.

·        A clean Class 3 drivers’ License and ability to ride a motorbike is a prerequisite.

·        An appreciation of Gender mainstreaming and Child Protection issues in Livelihoods Programming is required.

·        Proven skills in process and group facilitation, training and capacity building. Very innovative with conflict resolutions skills.

To Apply;

During the application process, ORAP will not charge any fee nor will it require any payment for an application to be considered. ORAP is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, political affiliation, religion, tribe, national origin, gender, physical or health status.  Suitably qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply.

If you are interested in serving as the Technical Field Officer and meet the requirements Click button Below to apply

Deadline: 20 September, 2023 midnight

In anticipation of a high volume of applicants, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.