Agronomist (home gardens and vegetable production) TWO

Title: Agronomist (home gardens and vegetable production) 

No# Positions: TWO (one in Sa’ada, one in Abyan) 

Project title: Improving nutrition outcomes of vulnerable households through multi-sector approach 

Level: As per DRC Yemen national staff salary grid 

Contract period: 10 months, from February 2017 

Reporting: Project Managers Food Security, in Sa’ada  

Start date: February 2017 

 

DRC has been funded a 12-month intervention by UN-OCHA Second Standard Allocation to respond to the nutritional needs of children registered with local health clinics - in Lawdar district of Abyan Governorate and Majz district of Sa’ada Governorate - under the Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM). The intervention has two components: (1) supporting CMAM households with seeds, inputs and technical support to establish ‘homestead’ vegetable gardens to ensure supply of nutrient rich vegetables and, (2) training and strengthening of their Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) in nutrition behaviors that they would be able to rehabilitate their malnourished children back to ‘normal’ nutrition. To implement component 1, DRC is seeking ‘expressions of interest’ from suitable candidates to fill TWO positions of Agronomist.   

 

Advise and assist project partners to sensitize key stakeholders - Government and I/NGos - working in target districts, sub-districts and, communities about the project concept, benefits, targeting criteria, implementation strategies and modalities, monitoring and other such aspects. Assist partners in identifying/selecting target communities and beneficiaries, as per agreed criteria and, in sensitizing them about the interventions and benefits. Work closely with the partners and DRC Nutritionist to identify, select and, train Community Volunteers in the ‘garden technology’ using organic methods and local inputs – Volunteers would then act as trainers at next level (ToTs). Work with partners and DRC Project Management to ensure procurement of quality seeds and tools for supplying to mothers upon training. Assist ToTs in training mothers/care-takers in garden technology, through establishing and maintaining ‘model’ gardens which can then act as ‘farmers field school’ for subsequent refresher trainings. Upon training to mothers, ensure supply of seeds and tools and extend technical support to establish their ‘homestead’ vegetable gardens. Undertake regular visits to assist partners and participating communities and households to monitor, report and extend technical support to ensure gardens are productive all-round the year, including recording and reporting of quantity and types of vegetables harvested. Prepare and submit monitoring and progress reports from time to time. 

 

Bachelors Degree in Agriculture or Horticulture or Food Production discipline; 

Minimum 3 to 5 years of direct field experience in implementing food/vegetable production interventions; 

Demonstrated experience of working in volatile security contexts and ability to deliver results;  

Excellent communication/ reporting skills in English & Arabic; 

Demonstrated experience of training communities and households in agronomic/food production aspects, including design and development of training/teaching aids suitable to local culture and contexts;  

Ability to work with teams, comprising local and expatriate staffs and, with minimum supervision;  

Computer skills, especially MS Office, emails and internet; 

Willingness to travel and work in remote rural communities with limited access to basic facilities; 

 

Terms and Conditions: 

The proposed employment conditions are based on DRC policy and Yemeni labor law. The selected candidate shall perform his/her duties in compliance with the DRC Code of Conduct and procedures at all times.