Agronomist Expert

Pastoralist Concern PC is a pastoralist-initiated, -inspired and -led CSO working toward sustainable development in pastoralist areas of Ethiopia since 1995, their vision is “to see improved and sustainable livelihood of the pastoralist communities of Ethiopia and further realize strong co-operations with neighboring countries’ pastoralist communities.” PC works within our target area in the Somali region, engaging in both multi-sector development programming and emergency responses across diverse sectors that include health and nutrition, WASH, environmental resilience, education, protection and women’s empowerment. PC works with the hard-to-reach pastoralist and Agro-pastoralist populations, including in Somali region. Skills training, mobilization and organization, awareness creation, input provision, value chain development, and market linkages are among the key strategies and approaches of PC to improving health and nutrition and to building livelihood resilience. PC has roughly 110 permanent staff, including staff with technical experience in community-based programming, protection, gender, GBV, resilience, WASH, Health and Nutrition who are based at their head office and field offices. The combined experience and technical expertise of Concern and PC means that we are well positioned to have a strong impact by implementing the targeted cross-border Irish Aid Child Wasting Initiative in the targeted pastoral communities.We work in the sectors of Rural Development, WASH, Natural Resource Management and Social Development as well as Civil Society Strengthening. 
 What We Offer:

•  A multicultural work environment where differences are accommodated.
• A continuous learning cultures.
•  Innovative and creative work practices
• A highly committed team

Objective of the positionThe Agronomy expert is expected to study soil, plants, seeds, and products to better understand crop needs and develop more effective and efficient farming practices. She/he conducts research, take and test samples, and solve complex problems and She/he provides agronomic knowledge and leadership to growers in their assigned market while performing job duties such as field scouting, soil management and market analysis.She/he is overseeing implementation of Natural resources Management-NRM project activities in accordance with approved time schedules, budgets and to ensure the overall success of this project by managing the NRM components of the project effectively and efficiently in terms of results, schedule and budget while making sure participation, accountability and sustainability are ensured. the job holder will ensure the effective and efficient implementation activities directly related with natural resources management and capacities building in the area of disaster risk reduction are successfully implemented according to approved donor and government agreements. Contribute to the proper utilization of human, material and financial resources of the project in respective operational districts and comply with PC & partner financial, grant management and other approved guidelines
Duties and ResponsibilitiesSpecific Duties and Responsibilities

• Studying plants and soil in order to develop better planting, cultivation, and harvesting techniques, improve crop yield, and solve problems facing the agriculture industry.
• Researching, developing, and promoting farming practices or products that diminish the effects of changes in soil, climate, and weather or prevent damage from pests.
• Generating reports and presenting findings to management, clients, or other interested parties.
• Promoting products and techniques through educational presentations.
• Managing teams of scientists while conducting field visits or laboratory work.
• Selling personalized consultation services to clients.
• Visiting fields to collect seed, plant, and soil samples and testing samples for nutritional deficiencies, diseases, or other changes.
• Assisting with the plant selection process and the development of planting and irrigation schedules, budgets, and timelines.
• Keeping detailed records regarding fields, customers, crops, and samples.
• Manages various tasks & projects as they arise and upon Manager’s request.
• Enhance to the establishment/strengthening of community-based range land management    committee in the identified NRM sites and facilitate the development RLM bylaws.
• Identified appropriate biological and physical conservation and development measure in the identified areas and communal area closure and will make through discussion with the communities and develop action plan for its implementation.
• Provide training for kebele development committees / Food security task forces on DRR concepts and principles.
• Coordinate & facilitate the selection of beneficiaries of the project jointly with government based on the agreed targeting criteria.
• Coordinate the action plans for assessments, monitoring, & joint review on the implementation and progresses of the project activities.
• Ensure your work plan relates closely to the regularly updated project work plan guiding the project implementation and progress towards completion.
• Record and monitor project activities and its process to facilitate learning, implementing monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide technical advice and support to beneficiaries and partners and ensure the community level data is collected, consolidated and reported on time and are well integrated in the project activities.
• Properly & timely compile all   relevant documents as like as case stories, success stories, pictures, photographs and lesson learned   during the implementation and constantly share it to project team.
• Provide all the written weekly, monthly and quarterly reports timely as required by PC and the donor.
• Ensure there is a system for networking and communication with local government partners, relevant line departments and community representations in the project area(s). 
• Work closely with beneficiaries &woreda NRM officers to link with project activities to their regular duties & responsibilities
• Ensure that communities and partners are facilitated to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate the project activities for quality and sustainable development.
• Monitor woreda level performance of the project in relation to the agreed MOU, workable procedures or new model that is introduced.
• Conduct ongoing monitoring of the project against objectives outlined in the project using methods and tools developed by PC & Partner or the project in collaboration with the project staffs.
• Ensure the preparation and implementation of the work plan activities, including M&E activities, meetings & visits of the project area conduct timely in coordination with the zonal coordinator.
• Follow up the proper implementation of activities based on the agreed budget as per Detail Implementation Plan (DIP) or other planning documents.
• Create transparency and accountability by ensuring that resources are efficiently and effectively utilized within the project for the intended purpose.
• Speed up payments for cash work activities for direct participants.
• Facilitate & speed up all procured farm tools & other material support to the targeted kebele where the cash for work is practiced.
• Facilitate the innovation and creative mind in initiating the integration of other project components at household and community level.
• Ensure that all the NRM & DRR activities of the project are incorporated into the respective government regular plan and monitoring points by the local leaders.
• Development or strengthening to work in closely with all local &woreda stakeholders and create ownership.
• Create smooth networking relationships and participation with wide stakeholders such as government, CBOs, community leaders and other key partners at local level.

 Additional Information

• PC is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
• Everyone who works for PC is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold PC's values.
• PC, as a National CSO, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination.　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
• PC does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.

Duration/Contract period: one year with possibility of extension depending on the satisfactory performance.

No. of position: 1Reporting: Project coordinator

• Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Agriculture, or related field with 5 years relevant experience and MSC in the same discipline with 3  years experiences.
• Experienced in humanitarian and developmental works.
• Additional certifications in Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) certification are preferred.
• Strong research, decision making, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Awareness of industry trends, technology, and developments.
• Sales and presentation skills are also a major plus.
• Ability to work outside, stand, walk, kneel, and stop for extended periods.
• Proficiency with computers, especially MS Office and diagnostic scientific software.
• Exceptional active listening and verbal and written communication skills.
• Understanding of local language and culture is mandatory
• Fluency in English and Afe Somali is Mandatory.

Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge.
• Ability to work well within a team and take responsibility to deliver results.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
• Ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and difficult conditions in an area of potential insecurity.
• Knowledge of gender and social inclusiveness.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision.
• Computer literate especially Microsoft word, excel, database and power point.
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals.
• Knowledge of working area and the local language is an advantage.

PC Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Interested applicants who met the MINIMUM requirements should Bring the CV in Physical to the PC Pastoralist Concern Head Office and all Field Offices • Addis Ababa: Saris Addis Sefer at Chem House third floor • Jigjiga: Khaah Building • Charati office Afder zone• Filtu Offices Libon zone Tel: +251-114-42-62-32/+251-464730054/5510 working Days from the date of advertisement• A complete CV (not more than 3 pages)• A cover letter (not more than one page)