Agriculture Officer

Job Summary:

The Agriculture officer will serve as the main technical person for all agricultural and natural resource management related activities of the project. S/he will work closely with Operation Manager and will ensure participatory technology development through participatory trials and research on improved agro based production methodologies, technical training and extension on dryland crop production cycle, sustainable and water management. He will also support potential farmers on kitchen gardening work with CDCs & DDAs in developing joint projects and ensure technical support and extension services for broader adoption of improved technologies following Farmers Field School and Community based Natural Resources Management approaches.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Purpose of the Position:

The Agriculture officer will serve as the main technical person for all agricultural and natural resource management related activities of the project. S/he will work closely with Operation Manager and will ensure participatory technology development through participatory trials and research on improved agro based production methodologies, technical training and extension on dryland crop production cycle, sustainable and water management. He will also support potential farmers on kitchen gardening work with CDCs & DDAs in developing joint projects and ensure technical support and extension services for broader adoption of improved technologies following Farmers Field School and Community based Natural Resources Management approaches.

He will also conduct study and research on sustainable land management and agro based value chain; Moreover, will establish market linkages through promoting production and marketing projects at community level.

The incumbent will work as part of the project management team under the supervision and guidance of

Operation Manager at provincial level within WHH policies and procedures.

Main Responsibilities:

Conduct sustainable land management study and develop action plan on agro based interventions and activities accordingly.

In collaboration with project engineer, identify potential areas, support designing and implementation of rehabilitation and protection of productive infrastructures.

Establish Farmers Field Schools (FFSs) and Resources Committee and train them on improved production methodologies and community based natural resources management (CBNRM)

Establish demonstration farm and conduct participatory trials and research; In addition, demonstrate comparative results of improved agro based production methodologies with selected FFS members.

Ensure proper selection of households and FFS members and distribute agro inputs for kitchen gardening and offseason farming with necessary technical support and extension services to the producers.

Work with CDCs and DDAs to develop and implement joint agro production, NRM, and sustainable land management projects and ensure necessary technical and extension supports.

Planning and implementation of training on Sustainable Land and Water Management, Kitchen Gardening and Food processing to the selected members through developing training modules and curriculum.

Conduct value chain and market assessment; identify potential farming groups and FFSs; In addition, develop value chain and marketing projects.

Embark extensive field visits, monitor progress of activities, document lesson learnt, best practice, ensure collection and compilation of M&E data and information from the field, and prepare progress report.

Closely work with Master Trainer and Community Mobilizers to facilitate Agro based NRM and Nutritional interventions within target communities.

Ensure close communication and coordination with project team, district authorities and DAIL through regular visits, participation in meeting; organize joint field visits and submission of reports.

Support Operation Manager and Area Coordinator in pursuing project specific and other activities as and when necessary.

Job Requirement:

Qualifications and Education Requirement:

 Bachelor Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy or Agriculture Extension from a reputed university.
 At least 5 years of progressive work experience in the similar roles in the field of food security and nutrition, livelihoods, agricultural extension, value chain and marketing projects at an INGO or Afghan NGOs.
 Experience in facilitating agricultural extension methodologies particularly Farmers Field School and Self-help Groups with demonstration of participatory research and technology development following Demonstration farms is preferred.
 Conceptual understanding and work experience in the areas of Natural Resources and Watershed
 Management including sustainable land management and protection is a distinct plus.
 Understanding on research and survey methodologies, designing and implementing food security and nutrition survey, value chain study and market assessment is required.

Preferred Skills:


Team building skills

Training and facilitation skills including development of training module and curriculum

Organizational skills including Community mobilization and group development

Effective communication (verbal and written) and coordination skills

Computer skills including the ability to operate spreadsheets and word processing programs

Stress management and problem solving skills

Monitoring and evaluation skills

Documentation, reporting and time management skills.

Job Location: