About ZOA

ZOA works with committed and motivated staff in serving millions of people affected by poverty, disaster, injustice and conflicts. Through the efforts of our dedicated staff, we are able to bring Signs of Hope and to support people who suffer due to armed conflict or natural disasters by helping them to rebuild their livelihoods.

We value our employees and offer a wide range of benefits to meet the specific needs of our staff and their families.

Purpose:

Agronomist specialist is highly skilled person with an in-depth knowledge on agro-ecological approaches and capacity for hands on technical agronomic training to transfer technical support to the extension structure (Comprising extension staff, research center and COOP farmers). He/she also will be also responsible to provide an in-depth technical support on over all extension services that ZOA will provide to farmers particularly improved agronomic practices related on horticulture and food crops to famer communities. The incumbent will closely work with farmers cooperative of refugees and host communities in Melkadida .

The responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Training on improved agronomic practices to extension workers and lead farmers

• Capacity assessment for extension workers and farmers to identify the knowledge gap
• Developing context based training manual (horticulture)
• Providing training on improved agronomic practices to extension workers and lead farmers
• Providing technical support to extension workers and lead farmers on cascading of the training on improved agricultural practices by lead farmers to other farmers beneficiaries
• Conduct post and pre assessment for trainings conducted

Strengthening and technically supporting nursery cooperatives

• Conducting assessment to identify the gaps of the nursery there by producing report including recommendation of materials and seedlings of vegetables and fruit trees
• Providing routine technical capacity building on nursery management to nursery cooperatives

Establishing demonstration plots

• Site selection of the demonstration plot
• Preparation of ToR for the implementation of the demonstration plot
• Introduction of adaptable improved seed varieties and its agronomic practices to farmers
• Introducing participatory extension approach suitable in the Melkadida environment
• Evaluation of the adoption of the technologies

Organizing farmer field days in close collaboration with farmers, woreda agricultural offices and research

   center

Providing training on post-harvest management for horticulture crops to farmers

Document lessons learned related to extension of agricultural technologies

Dealing with Problems:

ZOA is looking highly skilled agronomist with an in-depth knowledge on agro-ecological approaches and capacity for hands on technical agronomic training to transfer technical support to the extension structure (Comprising extension staff, research center and COOP farmers).

Communications and Working Relationships:

The agronomist specialist will closely work with farmers cooperatives, extension workers and researchers to ensure sustainable transfer of relevant farming technologies to refugees and host communities. 

Job Requirements

Educational Qualification and Experience

• The potential candidate for the post should have MSc Degree from recognized Universities/Colleges in Horticulture or Plant science . Besides, she/he should have at least 6 years of demonstrable work experience in areas of providing extension services to farmer communities around Dolo ado and or Similar area.
• Experience of crop research for riverine areas is highly desired
• (I)NGO experience is highly preferred

Skills Specific to the Post.

• Excellent understanding of agro-ecological context of Dolo Ado area is preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to meet strict deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability to work in hardship conditions
• Knowledge of Somali Language is highly preferred

How to Apply

If you are interested in this position, please apply via ethiojobs.net by sending your CV and a motivation letter indicating your suitability for this position to before the due date

Please provide at least 3 references related to your previous employment listed in your CV or motivation letter. 

Applicants should submit their up to date CV, and a cover letter of no more than one page in which they outline why they are applying and why they believe that they are the best candidate for the position of Agronomist Specialist in Melkadida with reference to the job description. Applicants who send a generic cover letter will not be considered for short listing.

Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of recruitment. It is our aim to inform candidates of their status in the recruitment process within 4 weeks after the vacancy has closed. A written test will be part of the recruitment procedure. Documents that do not match the profile above will not be considered. Internal candidates will have priority, in case of similar results.