Farmer Field Officer

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) is a not-for-profit organization established in Kenya in 2009 by the Biovision Foundation for ecological development in Switzerland and located in the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) in Nairobi. The Trust’s goal is to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and other African countries through supporting dissemination of information and knowledge on appropriate technology to improve human, animal, plant, and environmental health. BvAT provides the Secretariat to the Continental Steering Committee of the Ecological Organic Agriculture (EOA) Initiative in Africa.

JOB SUMMARY

The overall purpose of this job is to manage the project to contribute to the promotion of ecological sustainable agricultural practices and technologies through participatory, market-oriented approaches to meet the needs of smallholder farmers while staying relevant to the context of the project. The Farmer Field Officer will closely work with the EOA Initiative Project Manager in the overall project management including project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting in accordance with the program principles, approaches, and procedures of our organization. The officer will also work with diverse stakeholders including the relevant county government departments in Kitui county and other key service providers and will be required to provide technical backstopping to the project implementation team to ensure adoption of agroecology and organic farming practices in Kitui county.Working RelationshipsInternal Relationships: Project Managers, and all other BvAT staff.External Relationships: Ministry of Agriculture, County Government departments, business service providers, local Chiefs and leaders, and Partners in the agricultural sector.Required QualificationsDegree in either organic agriculture, agricultural extension, rural development, crop production, livestock development, community development or any other closely related discipline in agricultureMinimum of at least 3 years of relevant experience.A certificate in project management/ monitoring and evaluation will be an added advantage.Required Skills and Competencies:Technical SkillsKnowledge in organic agriculture.Report writing skills.Data collection skills.Ability to network and build partnerships.Monitoring and evaluation.NetworkingBehavioural SkillsGood communication skillsAbility to work with minimal supervision.Self-discipline.Flexibility.Creativity.Responsibility for finances and physical assets:The job holder has accountability for assets such as advances, computers, laptops, motorbikes, furniture, printers, books.Decision making:The jobholder has no final authority on key decisions in the department other than routine decisions related to execution of work.Information:The job holder has moderate access to confidential information – details of the farmers when collecting data.If you believe you qualify for this position, please apply with your CV and cover letter as one file indicating a summary of your key qualifications and expected salary and benefits to careers@biovisionafricatrust.org and Cc. info@biovisionafricatrust.org with the job title: Farmer Field Officer – Kitui County, on the subject line to be received not later than 7th March, 2024.We will not accept applications without a CV and cover letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide teachnical support in timely monthly workplan preparations and budgeting.Ensure the planned project activities are implemented according to the agreed timelines and ensuring satisfaction of completion.Provide technical support in carrying out of farmer trainings, on–farm demos, exchange visits on agroecological practices in agroforestry, soil health management along the selected crops and livestock value chains.Ensure timely tracking and reporting of project implementation and achievement of expected results against planned objectives and targets.Support in preparation and submission of timely monthly project reports to the Project ManagerProvide support in project results data collection through administration of data collection tools and records management by farmers.Support in the maintenance of an updated database of all the project beneficiaries according to details provided by the project management team.Ensure the project resources (physical assets and financial resources) are properly secured, utilized, and well maintained to assure efficient delivery of the project objectives.Link with other BvAT programmes and projects namely the FCP involving Infonet – Biovision, TOF Radio, Mkulima Mbunifu, and TOF Magazine, KHEA programme to contribute on content development and dissemination.Participate in farmer resource centre monthly planning and reporting meetings.Carry out any other relevant project duties assignment by the supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS

Project management, Reporting, Record keeping, Leadership skills, Ability to coordinate, Planning

REQUIRED EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree