VIS Ethiopia is seeking a candidate for the position of Agricultural Expert. The Agricultural Expert will be working under the project: “REACT: Integrated Humanitarian Response to the Tigray Crisis”, which is funded by the Italian Development Cooperation Agency (AICS), and it is going to be implemented in Shire woreda and surrounding rural areas, North Western Zones of the Tigray Region in Ethiopia. 

Contribute to a rapid, integrated, and effective humanitarian response in Ethiopia

To ensure access to essential, integrated, and inclusive services for the most vulnerable groups of the population in Tigray, affected by both chronic and acute shocks.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of VIS-Project Coordinator Tigray, the  Agricultural  Expert is responsible for the proper implementation of the project activities aimed at improving the food security of internally displaced people and the most vulnerable populations of the host communities in the project areas. He/she will ensure smooth operations of the project and consistency of project implementation with VIS rules and regulations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Agriculture expert  will have the following responsibilities under the project: 

Technical Support and Supervision of Agricultural Activities

Supervising and being responsible for all the technical aspects for the implementation of the agricultural and components of VIS project, ensuring that the project staff, contractors and service providers complete project’s activities and works in a timely, efficient and accurate manner; 

• Supervising and ensuring proper quality to the delivery of training sessions and capacity building on agriculture and related topics under VIS project. 

• Planning  and budgeting for the agricultural activities and technical capacity building to project staff and supervised officers; 

• Providing technical support and coordination of staff under the agricultural components of VIS projects; 

• Develop periodic reports (as per donors’ requirements) in relation to agricultural activities, including progress, challenges and future strategies; 

• Identification of the best market driven opportunities for the commercialization, processing, storage and marketing of the agricultural production, developing synergies and agreement with the private sector.

• Preparation   of technical analysis and assessments on agricultural context and performances. 

Community and stakeholders’ involvement 

• Ensuring community involvement at all phases of the agricultural component’s implementation; 

• discuss with the community and local authorities and make recommendations on innovative ways that beneficiary communities should adopt to strengthen and improve their agricultural production; 

• Coordinate community mobilization and sensitization with regards to the agricultural component of VIS projects. 

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Coordination on the data collection on existing crops, fruit trees, agricultural extension services. current practices of agricultural management, marketing, climate-smart technologies in the areas of intervention.

• Providing feedback to the monitoring and evaluation system in order to assess the effectiveness and the impact of the projects and propose recommendations for improvement; 

• Provide technical inputs to inform baseline, mid-line and end-line studies; 

Job Requirements

• Required qualification: Bachelor's or Master Degree in Agriculture or related fields; 

• Any other specialized qualifications: Possession of certificates attesting to participation in courses related to international cooperation (particularly Project Cycle Management) will be considered a preferential requirement.

• Degree  of work experience in the area of professional expertise: at least 3 years in agricultural programs in humanitarian/development sector. 

• Prior experience working in the Tigray Region, specifically in Shire areas, will be considered an added value.

• Prior experience working with a local and/or international NGO and therefore related knowledge of good administration procedures will be a preference

• Fluency in spoken and written Amharic and Tigrigna languages, good knowledge of spoken and written English

• INGO experience is an asset

ONLY candidates who meet all the above requirements will be contacted for written exam and interview.

• Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply

• Salary range Euro 600 - 635 per month based on the candidate's qualification and work experience.

• Duration: for 12 months.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who fulfill the criteria are kindly invited to submit their application letter (one page) and updated CV (not more than 3 pages) through THIS LINK