Agriculture Program Officer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Agriculture Program Officer

LOCATION: Districts of West, Mid-West and Far-West Development Region of Nepal

GROUP/UNIT: Enterprise and Agriculture

REPORTS TO: District Coordinator

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The overall goal of the Knowledge-based Integrated Sustainable Agriculture and Nutrition (KISAN) project to sustainably reduce poverty and hunger in Nepal by achieving inclusive growth in the agriculture sector, increasing income of farm families and improving nutritional status, especially of women and children. USAID/Nepal will implement the project over a five-year period through an integrated, whole-of-government approach of strategic agriculture and nutrition investments supporting contributions in cross-cutting areas. This Project will focus on 16 to 20 Terai and lower hill districts in the Far-Western region, Mid-Western region, and possibly the Western region of Nepal. This multifaceted Project will integrate agriculture and nutrition in order to increase agriculture production and improve the nutrition status of women and children under 5 years.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

In order to achieve above mentioned Component A targets the APO will  be the lead person to carry out Agriculture Component programs to attain  Component A  District outputs targets of KISAN Project for the employment and income generation in the district. In consultation with District Coordinator (DC), Component A Regional Outcome Managers s/he will carry out following responsibilities to ensure district Component A project target achievement.

1. Together with DC and district team s/he will identify the VDCs, beneficiaries and form the Groups for the Project  intervention;

2. To ensure district project target achievement s/he will take lead to prepare District Detail Implementation Plan/DIP implement high value vegetables and horticultural crops (such as tomatoes, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, peppers, and beans, among others) that can improve local nutrition as well as generate incomes through sales and marketing. 

3. To ensure district project target achievement s/he will work with traditional cropping systems, specifically rice, maize, and lentils, and develop activities to attract risk adverse smallholders, such as intercropping with vegetables, crop rotation, conservation tillage, early harvest and climate resilient rice seeds, and protein-rich maize varieties. 

4. In coordination with Input supply Manager s/he will ensure supply of source seeds/foundation seed and implement programs for quality seed production and supply to the KISAN producers of rice, maize and lentil.

5. Together with DC s/he will coordinate with relevant local GON (Particularly DADO, LDO etc) efforts at the district, village, and ward levels whenever possible. This may include the District level Co-ordination Committee and other related Committees.

6. Together with DC he will work in collaboration and coordination with Government/ Offices, NGOs, BMOs and donors funded programs in the districts particularly CSISA, HMRP and IPM/IL CRSP interventions. 

7. Supervise Monitor activities of junior/subordinate agricultural staff for agricultural   program implementation in the district. 

8. Consult DC and take guidance from related regional experts/Managers of the other Component staff/Experts in carrying out programs for ensuring Component A project target achievement.

9. Explore opportunities and strengthen input- output oriented market linkages between local level entrepreneurs and trading/processing/industrial groups.

10.Organize training, workshops, tours for the members of the community organizations in enterprises and market development and assisting them in mobilizing resources to implement their activities. 

11.Particularly develop/strengthen new and  existing MPCs/Collection centers in the district;

12.Assist District  Coordinator in preparation of monthly, quarterly and  other special reports (as requested by Component three Manager) with details of issues its possible implementation strategy, work plan and consolidated development plan 

13.APO will have additional responsibility of providing support  to Nutrition Component team to carry out Nutrition program (particularly in supporting  Homestead /kitchen garden) In coordination with district Nutrition  team/staff additionally, He/she will include female-friendly farming practices in its interventions, such as the adoption of multi-use water systems or appropriate tools.

14.Oversee the proper collection, processing and documentation of data needed for monitoring and project planning.

15.Carry out other assignments given by the superior.

16.S/he will report to the DC or the person assigned by Regional manager.

QUALIFICATIONS 

S/he should have B.Sc. in Agriculture (Masters preferred) and relevant 2 years experiences in agricultural field. Relevant field experiences and local language knowledge will carry plus points Motor cycle driving license holder will have an additional advantage. We encourage the application from women, janajaties and those from disadvantaged communities.

How to Apply 

Interested candidates can post their CV to nepalwinrock@gmail.com within August 14, 2014. Mails received after the stipulated date will not be entertained.