Project Officer II- Crop Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Regional Crop Specialist functionally reporting to the Regional Senior Business Development Officer. The Regional Crop Specialist will be responsible for providing technical guidance and conducting capacity-building activities in the delivery of crop related extension services to Agricultural One-Stop-Shop staff, and support Centres crop-related extension services to smallholder clients. The Crop Specialist will also be responsible for ensuring that AOSS grantees conduct thorough demand assessments in seeds (cereals, horticulture), agrochemicals, farm tools and facilitating training/demonstration activities of these products for AOSS customers/smallholder farmers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Organize and conduct training programs and seminars for AOSS staff and clients, in cooperation with program technical staff.
• Provide training, mentoring and coaching services on crop production-related inputs to OSSs staff.
• Support AOSSs in inputs demand assessment so that AOSCs inventory will be stocked in demand-based inputs.
• Support AOSSs in demand creation and promotion of new products and services; by conducting series of demonstrations, organizing field days, and experience sharing events.
• Organize and conduct training of smallholder farmers and extension agents on the value and use of improved inputs.
• Develop linkages between input suppliers, output markets and the AOSSs.
• In conjunction with the business development officer, support AOSSs to have access to improved agricultural technologies and facilitate technology demonstrations on AOSS own land or on the land of AOSS customer farmers.
• Assist AOSCs to have a good working relationship with the local Office of Agriculture, Cooperative Promotion Office, Livestock Agency, and any other relevant development partner operating in the area; and
• Other duties assigned to him/her by the Project Team Leader.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• MSc degree in Agriculture with specialization in crop production, irrigation, horticulture, crop protection, agronomy, plant science, or another relevant field
• At least 4 years experience in agriculture or crop production and/or protection capacity building, seed marketing, extension, and outreach services in agronomy, horticulture, irrigation, and input supply value chains.
• Understanding Ethiopia’s agricultural system, with a broad perspective on agrochemical and seeds and their supply system.
• Experience in donor-funded programs a plus.
• Strong interpersonal, communications, and leadership skills.
• Excellent adaptive problem-solver in a challenging environment.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Fluency in English and Amharic is required;
• Proficient Microsoft Office user.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To apply for this job email your details to [email protected]

Also, please DO NOT submit scans of certificates with your application form.

Women are highly encouraged to apply.