Agronomist at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We invite applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position below:

Job Title: Agronomist

Job ID: 87901
Location: Benue
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 21st October, 2019
Duration of Initial Contract: One Month
Expected Duration of Assignment: One Month

Background
The conflict between the herders and farmers in Nigeria has been identified as the single most widely spread peace and security threat by a recent Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) report carried out by the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), Nigeria has continued to register huge casualties and tension throughout almost all states of the Federation on a recurrent basis. Most reported in the Middle Belt (particularly the states of Benue, Plateau, Kaduna and Nasarawa) between herdsmen and local farmers, the clashes over farmland and or pasture, have increasingly taken religious undertones (Muslims versus Christians), with religious leaders publicly exchanging accusations, a development which has further polarized communities and complicated efforts at mitigating the violence. Thousands of lives have been lost, property destroyed, and communities left in disarray and tens of thousands internally displaced all over many parts of the Middle Belt and other parts of Nigeria. Some estimates indicate that the communal violence between farmers and herders claimed more lives in 2016 alone than the Boko Haram insurgency, hinting at its magnitude nationwide. 

One of the main sources of tensions in the farmers-herders conflict is access to water. Frequent clashes evolve from disputes, particularly at water points, where herders and farming communities come into contact and frequently compete for scarce water resources. To that effect, this project will enhance access to water for both farming and herder communities through the establishment of bore holes and irrigation systems.

The farmers-herders violence is both widespread and fluid in scope, making any geographic limitations to the implementation of the project challenging. Violence occurs in many different localities, and the dynamic movement of persons across community, local government, and state lines demand a flexible approach in selection of target areas. For example, when Benue State implemented the Open Grazing Prohibition Law on November 1, 2017. Media reports suggested that the attacks on communities in Benue in early 2018 were reportedly occurring in communities along the River Benue watershed. As such most affected LGAs embroiled in this crisis are located along the banks of the River Benue.

According to the Uppsala Conflict Data Program’s (UCDP) Georeferenced Event Dataset (GED), 28% of deaths in attacks between farmers and herders from 2014 – 2017 in Benue state occurred in Guma and Logo LGAs. The Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project will therefore target Benue state with community-level activities in LGAs along the River Benue drainage basin with huge devastation from the crisis such as Guma, Buruku, Kwande, Logo and Agatu LGAs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Functions

• Lead the soil survey team in data analysis and interpretation;
• Oversee land clearing and mechanized land preparation in the five-project location
• Production of detailed operational, technical and cost analysis for land development
• Develop best farming practices for the project;
• Support the development of value chain proposal; and
•  Support production of knowledge products and capacity development.

Description of Functions
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project, the consultant will support the overall irrigation and drainage management component of the project and will be expected to perform the following key functions:

Lead the soil survey team in data analysis and interpretation:

• The Consultant will provide highest quality technical support to the, Transitioning from Humanitarian Relief to Long-Term Development: Addressing the Herdsmen-Farmers conflict in Nigeria Project
• She/he will work in close collaboration with the Project Manager, collaborating Agencies and other Stakeholders at state and LGA levels to gather data on soil properties; physical, biological and chemical
• Follow up on laboratory analysis of soil samples. Coordinate the analysis and interpretation of results obtained as well as develop soil maps for allocated farmlands.
• The Consultant will work closely with the respective agencies in charge of lands in the states as well as the service provider to supervise mechanized land preparation to create a favorable environment for adequate rain water harvesting that would support the seeds or plants to germinate and grow over a longer period during the rainy season
• She/he will ensure that the service providers do not deviate from the parameters stimulated in their terms of reference
• After land clearing, the consultant will propose the size of plot appropriate for a farmer to cultivate
• She/he will liaise with the relevant stakeholders to delineate the land into plots as recommended.

Production of detailed operational, technical and cost analysis for land development:

• The Consultant will work with the irrigation engineer to share hydrology, topography and soil survey results
• This will help in guiding options for land development on the allocated lands across the five LGAs in Benue State
• Guide appropriate use of land for farming based on interpreted soil laboratory tests and other surveys carried out. Propose an annual land use programme, assess the cost of land development (all necessary inputs and services costs).

Develop best farming practices for the project:

• Work with the Project Technical Team and other Stakeholders to propose a cropping pattern specific for each of the identified farmlands per LGA.
• Propose appropriate farming equipment for the project per allocated lands. Propose best farming practices for the project (land conservation, fertilizer, crop protection, etc.).

Support the development of value chain proposal:

• In collaboration with the agronomist, the consultant will propose a process of value chain from the crop production to produce trade
• This will include harvesting, processing, storage, transportation, marketing, input supply, etc.  

Support development of knowledge products and capacity development:

• The Consultant shall carry out a field school programme on all agricultural practices needed
• Support in agriculture extension training
• Develop training manuals for beneficiaries. 

Competencies

• Knowledge Management and Learning
• Has good knowledge of UNDP data management process
• Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office.
• Has good knowledge of UNDP programme and operational issues.
• Has knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programme in crisis and post-crisis situations.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Bachelor's Degree in Soil Science/Agronomy or related courses. Postgraduate Degree is an added advantage.

Experience:

• She/he should have at least 10 years of experience in the field of crop production and protection of which at least 5 years of professional experience should be in North Central Nigeria;
• Wide experience in the study, design and implementation of crop production development projects;
• Sound experience in agricultural extension service delivery;
• She/he should be conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management;
• Experience working with UN or non-governmental organizations is an asset.

Language:

• Fluen en English.

Application Closing Date
14th October, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online