Agronomy Assistant at Finpact Development Foundation (FINDEF)

Finpact Development Foundation (FINDEF) is an indigenous non-governmental organization. Our focus is on delivering lasting value through the work we do, making us trusted advisors to all our partners. We are actively involved in the food security, livelihood and education projects, as well as government-led NGO coordination committee platform. Our local presence, capacity, experience, relationships, understanding of local culture and context are all major factors that enable us deliver humanitarian response.

We are guided by humanitarian principles and our working philosophy with partners includes commitment to transparency, accountability, shared goals, honesty and trust. We keep a fast paced environment where self-motivated and independent Individuals who are looking to constantly develop themselves thrive well. We pride ourselves in working at hard to reach communities while maintaining keen focus on culture and management structures that support excellent interaction with partners and stakeholders.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Agronomy Assistant

Location: Sokoto
Employment Type: Full Time

Job Summary

• Under the direct supervision of the Agronomy Officer, the Agronomy Assistant is required to support/assist in the implementation of agriculture activities of the project through livelihood interventions, business management, technical training, and capacity building to improve skills or production in new/pre-existing livelihood assets.

Main Responsibilities 

• Assist in organizing farmers into producer associations for collective marketing, input supply, training, and advocacy for a conducive production environment and Government support.
• Assist in facilitating farmer/association participation in multistakeholder platforms for value chain development.
• Promote climate risk management strategies to avoid unacceptable consequences.
• Improve crop productivity using locally adapted technologies, heat tolerant and disease tolerant seed varieties, biodiversity, and increase the sinks of greenhouse emissions.
• Reduce crop losses through improved post-harvest handling, storage, and processing.
• Train the extension workers and community volunteers to expand the agriculture advisory services and explore the use of appropriate communication systems.
• Work with traditional committees to ensure the identification and selection of the most vulnerable beneficiaries for cash/assets for work and organize and supervise the identification and selection registration of beneficiaries for the on-farm Livelihood activities.
• Facilitate community mobilization towards farmers’ field school and smallholder gardening.
• Support in the implementation of capacity-building training including field training and workshops for the target beneficiaries on vegetable production, seed conservation, farm management, and storage.
• Supervise and compile information to ensure that the surveillance of the farming situation in the area of implementation of the program is achieving the expected result when required.
• Implement field activities for targeted communities about agricultural activities and strengthen nutrition-sensitive agriculture with support from relevant State, LGA, and community stakeholders at LGA level.
• Analyze the humanitarian situation, taking protection problems into consideration/Do no Harm Principle.
• Act as a liaison with the local population and authorities to identify the needs, grievances, and major events that could have potential consequences for FINDEF activity.
• Perform any other related duties or responsibilities that may be assigned by the supervisor.

Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Competencies, Skills)

• University Degree in any of the following disciplines: Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, or related field.
• 2 - 3 years of experience in connection with project management in the agriculture / food security and / or livelihood sector, and preferably in a non-governmental organization of humanitarian and international character.
• Ability to write reports. Experience with survey methodologies, and relevant data analysis
• Previous experience working with an NGO or a Development organization.
• Familiarity with the Northwest axis, and working experience in Illela, Sokoto.
• Be professional, motivated, flexible, and culturally sensitive.
• Have excellent communication, writing and analytical skills.

Application Closing Date
3rd March, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CV to: careers@findef.org using the Job Title as the subject of the email.