Dryland Agriculture Advisor

Dryland Agriculture Advisor

GIZ supports the Ethiopian Government in various areas, increasingly also in the Ethiopian lowlands, which account for nearly 60% of Ethiopia’s land area. They are inhabited by more than 18 million (agro-)pastoralists, and people who create their livelihood from related professions.

Due to population growth and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather events, this livelihood system is increasingly put at risk and the people, their livestock and the harvests have become increasingly vulnerable. Extensive resource use like overgrazing and deforestation causes food insecurity, soil degradation, and erosion. The result are dry valleys, in which rainwater flows quickly out of the area before being able to infiltrate into the soil. This further exacerbates desertification and food insecurity. To address this issue, the Dry Valley Rehabilitation and Productive Use (DVRPU) approach was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Bureaus of Agriculture (BoA) in Afar and Somali regions.

The Capacity Development for Strengthening Drought Resilience (CDSDR) Project has started its third phase. It promotes the DVRPU approach with a series of technical, biological, economic, social, institutional, and managerial measures applied to rehabilitate entire dry valleys for the benefit of the inhabitants and their animals. Besides upscaling of the approach in Somali and Afar regions, it will expand its application to Oromia and SNNPR regions.

The approach increases the availability of soil moisture and soil fertility through flood events thereby increasing the window for increased farm productivity and diversified cropping systems

We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Dry Land Agriculture Advisor to provide expert guidance and support in implementing sustainable agricultural practices in arid or semi-arid regions. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in dry land farming techniques, water-efficient agriculture, and soil management strategies.

Technical Expertise:

• Provide technical guidance and expertise in implementing sustainable agricultural practices suitable for dry land conditions, including in implementation of flood-based farming techniques and water-harvesting systems.
• Advise on water-efficient methods, drought-resistant crop varieties, soil conservation, and pest and weed management strategies.

Local Land Users Support and Training:

• Work closely with local land users to understand their needs and challenges related to dry land farming.
• Deliver training programs and workshops to educate farmers on best practices, modern techniques, and innovative technologies for maximizing yields in dry land agriculture.

Soil and Water Management:

• Support assessments in soil quality and develop strategies for soil enrichment, erosion control, and moisture retention in dry land farming areas.
• Advise on water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, irrigation systems, and efficient water use techniques to optimize crop production.

Crop Diversification and Resilience:

• Recommend crop diversification strategies and resilient agricultural practices to enhance productivity and adaptability to changing climatic conditions.
• Introduce sustainable agroforestry or intercropping methods suitable for dry land ecosystems to improve soil fertility and biodiversity.

Research and Innovation:

• Stay updated on the latest research and advancements in dry land agriculture, incorporating innovative approaches and technologies into extension services.
• Collaborate with research institutions or universities to conduct trials and studies aimed at improving agricultural practices in dry land regions.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop monitoring frameworks to assess the impact of recommended agricultural interventions on crop yields, soil health, and farmers’ livelihoods.
• Regularly evaluate and report on the effectiveness of implemented strategies and provide recommendations for improvement.

Other duties/additional tasks

• The Expert performs other duties and tasks at the request of the management

Qualifications

1. Minimum Bachelor degree in Agronomy or Dryland Agriculture.

Professional experience

1. Extensive practical experience in agriculture and water management in drylands (10 years).
2. Strong understanding of agronomic practices suitable for variable water availability (5 years).
3. Demonstrated ability to conduct training and capacity-building activities (3 years)
4. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders (3 years)
5. Proven experience with all MS-office products

Other knowledge, additional competencies

1. Good English language skills required.
2. Somali and other regional language skills are an advantage.
3. Knowledge of government institutions active in natural resource management and pastoralism in Somali is an advantage.
4. Readiness to work in rural lowland environments.
5. High degree of initiative, integrity, and accountability.
6. Self-organized, with strong interpersonal skills, and a focus on results.
7. Ability to work structured and maintain the overview in a complex environment; ability to work independently and as part of a team; ability to work under time pressure; stress tolerance and patience.

High work ethic and willingness to travel, discipline and punctuality