Somalia: Agronomist

Dialog Forening (DF) Somalia - Agronomist Job

Job Description

DIALOG FORENING (DF) is a development, relief, and campaigning organisation dedicated to finding lasting solutions to poverty and suffering in Somalia. We believe that every human being is entitled rights to a life of dignity and opportunity: and we work with poor communities, youth groups, volunteers, and supporters to help this become a reality.

An Agronomistneeded with small scale farmer empowerment and entrepreneur vision.

We are looking for an experienced agronomist based in Gedo region with relevant practical experience in small holder community based projects focusing on canal irrigation farming approaches to maximize on income generation, food and nutrition security.

We expect you to have knowledge of canal irrigation and have passion and enthusiasm working with small scale farmers particularly the youth and women in rural set up.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• To provide overall technical and operations leadership in implementation of canal irrigation farming agriculture.
• To work in the project in accordance with project documents, work plans and budgets and ensure that work is consistent with DF’s strategies and the conditions of donor contracts.
• Develop training materials in conjunction with the in project team, and be in the fore front to advise youth farmers on modifying their farming methods based on applicable research data for maximum economic returns.
• Deliver advanced crop protection and nutrient analytical advice to maximize crop productivity and profitability while assisting in mitigating risk.
• Demonstrate knowledge of canal irrigation, land use and land management practices and be able to provide relevant advice to small scale farmers.
• Supervise farm work in commercial ventures among small scale farmers and translate market opportunities into commercial farming ventures.
• Assess market needs for various farm products and translate these needs into a business case for commercial farming.
• Undertake detail fact-finding and gathering of market intelligence on the Somalia agricultural value chain development and nutrition landscape to include identification of ongoing innovation-related activities and associated organizations, mapping of local business and market conditions, assessment of policy and regulatory environments as well as analyses of current trends and challenges.

Qualifications & Competencies

Education, Qualifications & Other Knowledge

Essential

• Relevant Degree level qualification e.g. agriculture and agri-business value chains etc.
• Knowledge of the youth empowerment and enterprising through agriculture in Somalia.
• Understanding of best practices in canal irrigation and youth farmers marketing strategies.
• Previous NGO or private sector work experience in rural and community development.

Experience

Essential

• At least 3 years relevant work experience

Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Farmer participatory approaches.
• Field level training.
• Communication (both verbal & written in Somali and English languages)
• Knowledge & practical experience of the farmer field school approach.

If you meet the above requirements, please send a complete application including CV and supporting documents/evidences, one page covering letter detailing how you meet the person specification to recruitment to hr@dfsom.org by Friday 28^th August 2015.