UNDP Farmer Organization Officer Jobs in Malawi
Background
The country’s development blueprint, the Malawi 2063, and its 10-year implementation plan (MIP-1), outlines aspirations to transition the economy into an upper middle-income country by 2063 by focusing on three main pillars: agricultural productivity and commercialization, industrialization, and urbanization.
Key to the development of the agricultural sector in Malawi is the focus of the first pillar of the Mw2063, agricultural productivity and commercialization, which is the underlying theme of this project.
The project will directly support the implementation of key sectoral policies including the National Agriculture Policy (NAP) as well as the National Export Strategy (NESII). The NAP 2016 identifies empowerment of youth, women and vulnerable groups in agriculture as one of the priority areas in addition to developing agricultural markets, agro-processing and value addition.
Specifically, the policy highlights the need to promote participation of women and youth in agro-processing, value addition and agricultural exports; this is in tandem with the objectives of this project. The project aims to increase the share of women and youth contribution to production and marketing of key and emerging high value crops in order to support poverty alleviation, increase incomes and strengthen market participation and linkages.
Duties and Responsibilities
1.Ensure planning, implementation, and management of Women and Youth in Agriculture project activities
Facilitate organization of farmers into functional groups such as cooperatives, associations, groups;
Conduct training needs assessment for farmer organizations (such as cooperatives, groups, etc) to identify training gaps;
Facilitate development of training manuals for cooperatives, associations, groups;
Facilitate registration of cooperatives, associations into legal entities;
Assess existing situation of agricultural extension and rural support services in target areas;
Support the introduction and adoption of appropriate and agronomic technologies specifically for targeted value chain in the district for increased agriculture production and productivity;
2. Provide day to day support for the project team
Provide relevant support to district staff including budgeting assistance and basic translation of the project objectives into activities for implementation;
Provide support to the project team in reviewing the project’s technical progress reports;
Liaise with project support team at local and district level and provide technical support;
Support to ensure high quality project implementation and liaise with project coordinator, PMU and technical experts to support the resolution of any on-site issues;
In liaison with district project implementing team, ensure that quarterly, annual reports and other reports are prepared and submitted on time.
3. Participate in stakeholder engagement
Contribute to the capacity development/training for the targeted entities to enhance the impacts and quality of the project;
Ensure donor visibility at each stage of the project, deliverables, reporting, training and monitoring-and-evaluation of activities;
Liaise with other district coordinators to monitor and manage project progress to ensure progress is not delayed in the responsible district;
Ensure high participation of community members, district officials and contractors in training for communities receiving project deliverables;
Explore the involvement of new stakeholders to improve projects and procedures.
4. Support monitoring and evaluation activities
Assists to coordinate the project activities, based on strategic goals of UNDP, country needs and donors’ priorities;
Support in carrying out assessments, monitoring and evaluation of project activities for reporting progress;
Monitor of risk issue logs ensuring that they are regularly filled in and are adhered to for addressing them;
Assist in timely preparation of analytical report and submission to Project Managers and Programme Specialist;
Support monitoring of delivery of inputs provided by the District Councils, beneficiaries and contracted companies and communicate findings to supervisors.
5. Participate in Knowledge Management
Coordinates and organizes field visits, missions, and conferences; and participate in gathering information for dissemination;
Prepare of all related background materials for discussions, correspondence, and meetings with project stakeholders;
Coordinate the project progress assessment and compile success stories and case studies for dissemination with stakeholders;
Maintain records of District stakeholders and provide regular updates of activities progress to them to enhance partnership;
Contribute to capacity building and training activities to ensure that project deliverables are well received by the targeted community, and observe and report back to the CO.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Agriculture Extension, Agriculture General, Development Studies, Climate Change and Natural Resources Management OR
A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with an additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Experience:
A minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience in dealing with applied agricultural extension, farmer mobilization and capacity building including climate change and natural resources management issues in Malawi .
Required Skills:
Demonstrable computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access;
Proven ability to work in diverse team of different partners and stakeholders;
Proven ability to work with rural farmers clubs, associations, and cooperatives.
Desired Skills:
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in farmer organization, rural extension desired;
Work experience as District Project Coordinator, Analyst or work of similar nature preferred;
Strong team working skills/experience and willingness to travel;
Self-motivated, well organized, and ability to lead; ability/experience to work with minimum supervision while ensuring work as part of a larger team;
Excellent communication skills/experience with proven ability to express ideas clearly;
Familiarity with institutional, planning and regulatory structures, and rural livelihoods in Malawi;
Proven ability to work under pressure and quickly respond to any project matters in tight schedule.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in English and Knowledge of local language (Chichewa or Tumbuka etc.) is required .
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; UNDP Farmer Organization Officer Jobs in Malawi
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