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