Agriculture Officer at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC), one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:

Job Title: Agriculture Officer

Location: Mubi, Adamawa
Anticipated Start Date: 18th September, 2017

Brief Background of the Project

• Currently International Rescue Committee is supporting vulnerable IDPs, families hosting IDPs and Returnees with food vouchers in Yola North, Yola South, Girei, Mubi North, Mubi South and Hong LGAs with possibility of extension to other LGAs in Adamawa State.
• The voucher system will build both nutritional and livelihood opportunities for beneficiaries by providing life-saving access to food, expanding dietary diversity and strengthening local markets.
• The Overall Objective of this this programme is to help strengthen the resilience of conflict affected populations in Borno and Adamawa states.
• Specifically, the project will work with IDPs, host communities, and returnees to provide them economic opportunities around farming and other rural livelihoods, improved access to food and nutrition security, WASH and basic services.

Scope of Work

• The Agriculture officer Food Security will perform overall his/her role to carry out all agriculture & Livestock activities under the supervision of Senior Program officer.
• She/he will also coordinate local partners, in close coordination with Food Security and Livelihood Program Manager and Coordinator in Adamawa State.

Responsibilities
Planning and Implementation:

• Ensure implementation of Agriculture, Livestock & farmer field schools activities defined in the project proposal.
• Assist in training design, perpetration of training module for training especially for agriculture, Livestock and FFS.
• Write precise report of the activities; weekly & monthly basis;
• Meet the local partners, keep them informed about the programme specially Agriculture Department.
• Inform the beneficiaries of the registration procedure.
• Prepare Distribution and training plans as well as budgeting for trainings.
• Input and up-date beneficiary data & Prepare lists and distribution cards.
• Plan the transport and storage at the distribution points;
• Organize and supervise the distribution of Agri. Inputs & Livestock.
• Intervene in case of dispute;

Staff Management:

• Assist in the supervision of the agriculture assistants directly, providing ongoing leadership to the team and oversee implementation and coordination of activity plans to ensure targets are met.
• Support work plan development and reporting to ensure accurate monitoring and documentation of activities.
• Ensure project staff understands and follows IRC and donor Policies and Procedures

Coordination:

• Internal - closely work with and share information with other sectors in IRC and coordinate with Logistic to timely receive project materials.
• Assist the senior officer/Program Manager closely with finance department to ensure program materials and partner payments are made timely.
• External - local partners - assist in the development work plan, ensure smooth implementation of quality program and ongoing support for partner capacity building.

Monitoring & Evaluation and Reporting:

• Support regular field visits to ensure quality and timeliness of all activities implemented under his/her purview.
• Development and sharing of necessary reporting formats and matrixes timely with local partners.
• Under the supervision of Program Manager draft post distribution monitoring tools and train staff and local partner staff on applying them in the field.
• Provide inputs for design of M&E system and to staff under supervision and local partners.

Human Resources:

• Supervise Agriculture assistants.
• Develop staff performance objectives and conduct periodic reviews and evaluations.
• Grants Management & Reporting
• Support the EUTF and develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans.
• Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.
• Prepare internal reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.

Logistic and Finance:

• Assist in the timely submission of distribution and transport plans to logistic.
• Support with logistic on the status of purchase requests and ensure timely delivery of materials.
• Ensure expenditure plan for the project and do necessary revisions for Sector coordinator’s approval.
• In close coordination with finance and Program Manager, manage adherence to donor and IRC grant compliances at all time.
• Ensure timely submission of payment requests and supporting documents to logistic and finance and timely payments to vendors.

Skills and Experience

• Graduate in Agricultural Science
• Minimum 2 year experience in leading Agri. based interventions.
• Coordination experience with different partners and stakeholders.
• Experience in staff supervision and capacity building and developing training module.
• Local language skills - mandatory.
• Proficiency of writing and verbal - English
• Ability to maintain good working relationship with colleagues and partners
• Most importantly, commitment to IRC values and principles

Work Environment

• The situation in Mubi - is calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable;

Standards for Professional Conduct:

• The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.
• In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Benefits
Monthly salary, 13Month Salary Inclusive, Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.

Application Closing Date
11th September, 2017.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV's and Cover letters to "The Country Director, International Rescue Committee" via: IRCNigeria.Recruitment@rescue.org
Or
Hand delivery applications should be sent in clearly labelled envelop to International Rescue Committee (IRC) office in Mubi, Adamawa or Yola State.