Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO)

AGRICULTURE AND IRRIGATION

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Country: Federal Government of Somalia (FGS)

Name of the Project: Somalia Food Systems Resilience Project (S-FSRP)

Assignment Title: Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO)

Project ID: P177816

Deadline Date:   June 30, 2025

Ref No. SO-MOAI-GM-468542-CS-INDV

BACKROUND 

The Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) is part of a regional initiative by the World Bank to provide a comprehensive framework to intervene at both the national and regional levels. This Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) aims to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events. It seeks to achieve this by rejuvenating Somalia's agri-livestock research institutions, seed systems, and extension services and developing community institutions that can anchor adaptation of climate-smart agri-livestock practices, strengthening the availability of water and improved rangelands management for resilient agriculture and livestock production; support animal health services, enhancing the integration of the production systems to domestic and regional markets, with appropriate investments in food safety and value addition, and establishing an enabling policy and institutional framework at a sub-national, national and regional level capable of supporting food systems resilience for Somalia.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) for Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) will be 'to increase preparedness against food insecurity and improve the resilience of food systems in targeted project areas of Somalia. Progress toward the PDO will be measured using five PDO indicators and intermediate indicators. All relevant indicators will be disaggregated by gender (men and women) and age (youth and adult).

The Galmudug State of Somalia is establishing a core multi-sectoral Project Implementation Unit (PIU) supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The role of the PIU is to support the management, coordination, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of project activities. The PIU will be staffed with the following positions: - State Project Coordinator, Finance Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Safeguards Specialist, M&E Specialist, and other technical Agricultural and Livestock specialists.

2. Scope of Work and Responsibilities  

Reporting to the State Project Coordinator (SPC), The State agriculture extension officer position will be a full-time contracted staff position assigned to the PIU of the Galmudug Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Somalia. The agriculture extension officer will be responsible for providing technical assistance, training, and advisory services to farmers in Galmudug State.

The agriculture extension officer will be assigned to the following duties:

·         Provide technical support to the SPCU in the development of its capacity-building-related programs.

·         Develop and implement agricultural extension programs aligned with the FSRP objectives.

·         Provide technical training to farmers on good agricultural practices, soil fertility management, pest control, and climate-smart agriculture.

·         Support the formation and strengthening of farmer cooperatives and groups.

·         Facilitate on-farm demonstrations and practical training sessions to promote innovative farming techniques.

·         Conduct regular field visits to monitor farmer activities and provide tailored recommendations.

·         Support delivery of agricultural and Livestock extension and advisory services to communities through the CIGs/CDDC and Producer organizations

·         Facilitate dissemination and adoption of Livestock and Agriculture TIMPs to community institutions and FPOs

·         Work closely with local authorities, agricultural research institutions, and development partners to disseminate improved agricultural technologies.

·         Assist in the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and farm tools.

·         Promote sustainable water and soil conservation practices to enhance agricultural productivity.

·         Organize and participate in agricultural and livestock extension meetings, workshops, and community sensitization campaigns.

·         Support farmers and pastoralist  in accessing markets and linking them with potential buyers and value chain actors.

·         Ensure gender-inclusive approaches in all extension activities, encouraging the participation of women and youth in agriculture.

3        Selection criteria

·         A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Extension, or a related field.

·         A Master’s degree in the relevant field is an added advantage.

·         At least 5  years of experience in agricultural extension services, farmer training, or rural development projects.

·         Proven experience working with smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and community-based organizations in Somalia.

·         Familiarity with climate-smart agriculture (CSA), soil fertility management, pest and disease control, and irrigation systems.

·         Knowledge of post-harvest handling techniques and value addition for agricultural products.

·         Experience in implementing World Bank-funded projects or other donor-funded agricultural programs is preferred.

·         Strong understanding of agricultural extension methodologies, participatory approaches, and farmer field schools (FFS).

·         Knowledge of drought-resistant crops, conservation agriculture, and sustainable farming practices relevant to Somalia’s climate conditions.

·         Proficiency in using digital tools and mobile applications for agricultural extension services and data collection.

·         Ability to develop and deliver training sessions, demonstrations, and awareness programs for farmers.

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Somali and English.

·         Experience in organizing and facilitating farmer field days and agricultural shows.

·         Ability to develop and manage partnerships with research institutions, NGOs, and private sector actors in the agricultural sector.

·         Ability to prepare technical reports, training materials, and extension bulletins for farmers.

·         Strong interpersonal skills to engage with farmers, government officials, NGOs, and donor agencies.

·         Demonstrated ability to mobilize and work closely with local communities, farmer cooperatives, and village-level committees.

·         Strong facilitation skills for conducting farmer trainings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

·         Understanding of gender inclusion in agriculture and willingness to promote women’s participation in extension services.

·          Willingness to travel extensively within rural areas of Galmudug State and conduct field visits to support farmers.

·         Ability to work in challenging environments with minimal supervision.

·         Adherence to World Bank and FSRP policies on transparency, accountability, and good governance.

4. Duration and Duty Station

·         The position is a one-year contract, renewable based on performance and fund availability.

·         The officer will be based in Dhusamareb city in Galmudug state and will work closely with local farmers, cooperatives, staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) and other stakeholders to ensure the project's objectives are achieved

5. How to apply

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Galmudug State invites qualified consultants to express their interest in providing the specified services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. Applications should be sent to the email addresses listed below. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview

6. Attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

7. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultant method set out in the World Bank Procurement Regulations.

8. Interested Consultants may obtain further information (in person or by e-mail) at the address below during office hours from 8.00 a.m.– 4.00 p.m. Saturday to Thursday except for public holidays.

9. Deadline for submission: June 30, 2025

Attention:

FSRP Project                                                                                                                     

Ministry of Agriculture and IrrigationsMoAI-Galmudug State                                   

Dhusamareed District of Galmudg, Somalia.                                                                       

Email Address:  [email protected]     

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