Position: Project Officer II – Extension Agent
Term of Employment: One year with a possibility of extension
Duty Station(s): Amhara (Wagetera kebele Fogera Woreda, Tanadnbiso & Wagera kebele , Dera Woreda )
Required Number: Three (3)
Application Deadline: November 19, 2022
Job Description
BACKGROUND:
The Agricultural Transformation Institute (ATI) has been established by the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) to identify and address systemic bottlenecks to Ethiopia’s agricultural development. The Institute does this through problem-solving, implementation support, and capacity building of stakeholders involved in implementation of interventions that address the systemic bottlenecks.
ATI provides a unique platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our teams with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.
The programmatic focus of the Institute responds to a core set of needs identified by the Ministry of Agriculture and other sectors along commodity value chains. Across the programs, the ATI engages public, private, and non-governmental stakeholders to support strategic planning, manage and strengthen implementation capacity and test innovative models. Currently, ATI is tasked to coordinate the revised Agriculture and Rural Development policy agendas of the sector and such sectoral level delegation requires high level expertise in the policy areas and skillsets in coordination and networking with multiple stakeholders.
Our Culture
We have an exceptional team of highly competent employees with a proven track record of success in managing complex activities and achieving transformational results. Our culture is one where talented, dedicated and adaptable individuals are committed to doing their best and exhibit great teamwork to achieve excellent results.
At ATI, we provide an exceptional platform for people who want to achieve their highest potential and make a meaningful contribution in changing the country’s agricultural sector. We offer rewarding work in a young, fast-paced growing organization with passionate, committed, motivated colleagues and excellent career development and training. We recognize our most valuable assets are our staff and are committed to providing our employees with the tools, training and mentorships necessary to achieve their career goals.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The DREAM Irrigation project works with multiple external stakeholders to expand the availability of electricity to smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, starting with the piloting mini-grids systems in 9 horticultural Farmer Production Cluster (FPC) locations to deliver energy to ACC- anchor-group farmers to be used for the irrigation of horticultural crops in the ACC Woredas in Ethiopia, as well as other productive use cases. The project will pilot mini-grids as a viable renewable energy solution for horticulture ACC farmers in ACC Woredas, promote the adoption of modern electrified irrigation modalities and other productive uses and ensure the continued sustainability of the business model, system, and the environment.
The role of the DREAM Irrigation Extension Agent within the DREAM Irrigation Project at Woreda and Kebele level is working closely with Woreda and Kebele Agricultural Offices by engaging project anchor farmers and support for use of irrigation, use of appropriate cultivation practices. He/she assist coordination of efforts across partners for the DREAM Irrigation Project as well as implement key interventions that are owned by ATI in collaboration with other ATI DREAM Irrigation teams. Specifically, the DREAM Irrigation Extension Agent will be instrumental in providing implementation support to bring about efficiency across the horticultural value chain alongside key Government, private sector and development partners. The EA will also be responsible to assist in developing operational planning and reporting on DREAM Irrigation Project activities at the Woreda, Kebele and cluster levels, and provide technical backstopping, capacity building and support across implementing farmers.
The DREAM Irrigation Extension Agent is responsible to support the successful delivery of the project in the specific implementation site, working and supporting closely with other ATI teams, and implementing partners, DREAM Irrigation Target farmers and project stakeholders across the value chains. He/she will report to the ACC and project director under the Regional Senior Director of the ACC Program and will work closely with other staff in the Federal ACC Team, Regional Office Directors, and other ATA staff at various levels
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
- To support the DREAM Irrigation Project in providing content support advice on transforming the Value Chain of selected regional commodities for the project.
- To assist in the engagement with stakeholders to collaboratively and effectively implement Woreda, Kebele and Cluster level activities of the project
- Support farmers on access to quality inputs (seeds, fertilizer, pesticides etc.) and market access
- To provide technical content support to selected Horticultural commodities clusters in the target region to strengthen the horticultural value chain
- Work closely with Woreda and Kebele Agricultural Offices in ensuring farmers obtains updated information on horticultural farming practices.
- Ensure the extension package incorporated all tested innovation for all priority commodities of the project in the target Woredas and Kebeles
- Participate and support various farmer training events to be prepared by the project at Woreda and Kebele level
- Support the project officer to ensure power access is well understood by project partner and implementing farmers
- Support implementing farmers by ensuring quality production of priority commodities and facilitation of continuous market linkage
- Create awareness among smallholder horticulture farmers and support market development.
- Support project access to reliable irrigation water and renewable energy source to compliment farmer resilience to climate change impacts)
- Support farmers to improve irrigation Scheme Management & Water User Associations (IWUAs) integrated to commercially viable Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE)
- Support access to irrigation extension services and quality inputs
- Support farmers increased adoption of modern agricultural technologies and agronomic practices, improved pump capacity and increased irrigation scheme uptime, reduced operational cost, and support farmers to get improved prices and market access.
- Promote farmers to get additional productive use opportunities (use appliances and equipment)
- Track impact on climate and environment, reduced carbon emissions due to transition from diesel to mini grid powered pumps with the templet developed by Head Office and Regional Managers.
- Support improved engagement of women and youth and track reduced burden/labour of women in irrigation production
- Support increased job creation for women and youth and track the progress
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Minimum MSc. in Horticultural Sciences, Plant Sciences, and related Agricultural fields.
- Minimum of 4 years’ experience in Horticultural Value Chain and working as development agent/extension agent at Woreda or Kebele level
- Strong understanding of best agricultural practices in horticultural crops such as Agronomy, Seed/seedlings, fertilizers, agrochemical uses, irrigation water utilization, post- harvest handling practices and reduction of losses
- Strong understanding and practical experience of how to supply quality fruits and vegetable to the market
- Understanding of smallholder farming experience to increase production and reduce post-harvest losses of horticultural commodities of the project.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills including thorough extensive experience with government institutions, development partners and farmer groups
- Demonstrated team player with good people management skills specially development agents and farmers
- Ability to work and perform under pressure and in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
- Strong set of personal values including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
- Fluency in English, Amharic and local language of the target region is preferred
How to Apply
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
We invite all candidates meeting the required qualifications to submit (i) a cover letter and (ii) a CV (maximum 5 pages) to https://apply.ata.gov.et
It is mandatory to mention the position title under the subject line of your email.
Please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application.
Women are highly encouraged to apply.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.