Agriculture Specialist – Harare Jobs Zimbabwe

DAI is seeking experienced candidates for an upcoming Food Security programme in Zimbabwe.

The programme will look at developing markets and private sector to better support rural livelihoods; facilitating links between commercial markets and farmer groups to increase farmer productivity and income.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Agriculture Specialist will report to the overall Team Leader, and:
• Lead the promotion of suitable and appropriate sustainable crop and livestock production practices for smallholders across different operating districts
• Work with the Market Development Specialist to develop appropriate intervention strategies in identified market systems
• Conduct an inventory of best possible crop and livestock production practices and select the ‘best fit’ practices for promotion in the programme districts
• Develop a strategy for promotion of best fit farming practices in the different programme districts
• Work with relevant organisations to develop capacity development interventions and training programmes for farmers on improved farming practices
• Facilitate the adoption of climate resilient crop and livestock practices
• Facilitate the establishment of public private partnerships for developing and implementing capacity building programmes
• Work with the Communications Specialist to devise appropriate messages, documents and disseminate information on ‘best fit’ production practices
• Support implementation of strategies to engage minority groups, including women and youth, to promote farmer productivity and market participation

Requirements:

• Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related area
• At least 10 years of experience in agriculture development in crop-livestock systems, with experience in Zimbabwe essential
• Experience in leading integrated agricultural interventions for large programme(s), ideally donor funded
• Experience in facilitating and supporting capacity building programmes to improve farming practices and increase productivity, including the implementation of extension approaches, demonstration plots, etc.
• Experience in supporting the uptake of climate resilient agriculture practices in both crop and livestock production
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is essential and fluency in local languages ideal
• Working knowledge and understanding of the mixed crop-livestock farming systems operated in the Sub Saharan Africa smallholder farming sector, preferably in Zimbabwe
• Ability to communicate with farmers, private sector and public sector actors involved in production processes

Project Location: Harare based with occasional travel within Zimbabwe

Length of the project: 5-7 years

Anticipated Project Start date: April 2014

Deadline for Applications: 30th November 2013

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