Agriculture Programme Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihoods (PAHAL) has the programme goal as "Vulnerable Population are Food Secured" having 3 distinctive purposes. Purpose first is "Improved Health and Nutrition Status for Vulnerable HHs", second is "Increased Income of Vulnerable HHs" and the third being the "Increased Food Availability among Vulnerable Community". Besides the programme has 8 different Immediate Outcomes. This programme is being implemented for 5 year from 2015.

This programme aims to implement activities in total 14 Districts, 7 each from Mid and Far-Western  Development Regions under the lead of Mercy Corps with different consortium organizations. Rupantaran, as a National Partner, is supporting technically in implementation of agriculture component in MW districts through District Based Partner NGOs.

Rupantaranis seeking applications from Nepalese nationals for the position of Agriculture Programme Officer to be based in Salyan.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Agriculture Programme Officer will be working as a full time employee based at PAHAL district Office in Salyan.   The overall responsibilities will be programme planning, ensuring smooth implementation of the project , carrying out monitoring, reporting and quality assurance of the activities delivered by the program.Further, s/he will be responsible for staff mobilization to achieve the programme goal relating with agriculture component. S/he will provide thematic expertise especially making agriculture climate resilient, mainstreaming climate resilient agriculture practices into programme activities. S/he will be responsible for technical backstopping to Agriculture Technician (AT), Livestock Technician (LT), Agribusiness Technician (ABT), and MS (Marketing Supervisor) working closely with District Coordinator and Programme Coordinator for coordination with relevant government and non-government agenciesat  district level and in programme delivery at the field level.  Additionally, s/he will work closely with multi-disciplinary project team to achieve the desired project results in time at a high standard. More specifically, s/he will be responsible for the following tasks;

Program Planning and Implementation:

• Support/lead PAHAL Agriculture component for effective planning and implementing field program in the district.
• Together with multidisciplinary team, prepare and implement district level operational strategies, plans and guidelines for PAHAL
• Work closely with regional teams to prepare annual Detail Implementation Plan and Annual Work Plans of the project
• Facilitate and support the field team for the implementation of PAHAL related activities as planned in the Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) in close coordination with other concerned authorities
• Conduct field visits to project field sites as per the requirement of the project
• Together with other thematic officers, support for smooth delivery of thematic activities in thedistrict.
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the  Supervisor

Coordination and capacity building:

• Develop and strengthen good linkages and coordination with local partner organizations, government line agencies, related stakeholders, and service providers in the project  district to ensure their supportfor the implementation of project activities
• Provide inputs in developing and strengthening networks of peer and professional contact, within and outside the organization
• Facilitate to develop capacity of project and NGO staff on PAHAL
• Support for the capacity building of district base local NGOs and district level stakeholders on climate resilient agriculture
• Support in building capacity of staffs and key stakeholders to facilitate overall process of planning, implementation and monitoring of adaptation plans at local and community level ensuring benefits to climate vulnerable communities within project VDCs and considering good governance, gender and social inclusion.
• Coordinate and capacitate multiple stakeholders at the district level to create enabling environment for planning and mainstreaming of climate change adaptation.
• Participate/organize program plan and progress sharing in different district and regional level forums.
• Maintain effective coordination with consortium partner organization, governmental institutions and others for smooth delivery of the PAHAL programme

Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting:

• Regular field visit  for backstopping support, monitoring and reporting of the project accomplishment.
• Prepare progress report in consultation with Field Staffs and report to DC/PC/Regional Agriculture/Livestock Specialists as required
• Knowledge, information updating in related fields through training, workshops, seminars and literature reviews.
• Initiate and/or  participate in visit with the regional/central team
• Ensure joint monitoring (Central/Regional) involving different stakeholders, SWC and donors as required in the field
• Maintain or compile database, case studies and reports as acquired from regional/central level, analyze and report as necessary
• Support preparation of communication and extension materials for publication as required
• Document and share program learning and experiences in different forums and promote replication of best practices
• Be responsible to meet the targets in indicators as per the project proposal and Performance and Monitoring Plan
• Receive and support visitors, guests and representatives from donors and other Stakeholders at regional levels

Financial Management:

• Support District Coordinator and Programme Coordinators for timely submission of proper financial forecast, expenses summary and progress reporting on agriculture component
• Be responsible for proper use of project resources and finances ensuring value for money
• Work closely with Rupantaran Finance and Admin as relevant and as required.

Required Qualification:

• Bachelors in Agriculture with 2 years relevant experience or Masters in agriculture with 1 year of experience. Updated knowledge of key issues in rural development (gender, social inclusion, equity, empowerment etc), climate change, forestry and agriculture

Essentials:

• Project managerial skills
• Ability to lead/coordinate with multi-disciplinary team of partners and stakeholders
• Pro-active and innovativeness
• Experience of directly supervising and backstopping program staffs
• Experience in Climate Change Adaptation, DRR, NRM, Agriculture, social mobilization and good governance
• Updated information on national and sectoral policies  on agriculture
• Good understanding on participatory programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluations
• Empathy to poor and marginalized small holders farmers and climate vulnerable communities
• Strong knowledge and facilitation skills in training design and delivery related themes
• Good command on oral and written English and Nepali
• Documentation and reporting skills
• Ability to say no in matters that harms organization or the project
• Computer proficiency in MS word, Excel, Power point etc
• Ability to work independently with minimum guidance

Desirable:

• Strong proficiency in English and Nepali language
• Willingness to work and travel in the field extensively
• Commitment to work for full project duration
• Understanding of database management skills
• Previous work experience on climate change adaptation, DRR,improved agriculture practices, micro-irrigation technologies, watershed management, crop insurance/safety nets schemes
• Remuneration and Benefit Package
• As per the organization norms commensurate with the project agreement

Interested and qualified candidates are requested to send their application letter along with updated CV through email to mail@rupantaran.org.np or ngo@rupantaran.org.np within 7 April 2017 till 5 pm of the publication of this vacancy announcement. Female individuals and individuals from disadvantaged communities are highly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further process. No telephone enquiries will be entertained.