Title:  Agriculture & Food Security Officer

Reports to:  Area Manager

Location:  Zalingie, Central Darfur State

Salary:  $700 - $1,000

Travel:  Frequent travel between project sites.

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for an Agriculture & Food Security Officer, to be based in its Zalingie office. The officer will be coordinating all interventions for beneficiaries and partners related to agriculture and food security in 7 localities (West, North & East Jabal Marra, Garseller, Um-Dokhon and Mukjar). For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through economic development and governance initiatives. NEF’s work is organized around three core program areas: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peace building.

Position Description:

The Agriculture & Food Security Officer will support a USAID/OFDA-funded project, Humanitarian Support for IDPs and Vulnerable Populations in WASH, Agriculture, and Food Security in Central Darfur State (HSCDS). The position is expected to lead all agriculture and food security interventions in coordination with relevant partners and stakeholders. S/he will lead and supervise the implementation of formation of farmers groups, extension trainings, distribution of agriculture seeds and tools through seeds fair system and support economic advancement for women in particular through the establishment of micro-credits groups (Sandok). The office will identify synergy with other programs and facilitate coordination and collaboration with market actors. Working with NEF staff (in particularly the field Area Manager, Program Director and MEL Manager), partners, seconded staff and other stakeholders, s/he will provide sound technical direction and project delivery to achieve desired outcomes and impacts.

Main Responsibilities:

• Provide technical direction and programmatic oversight of agriculture and food security interventions.
• Ensure technical and standard agricultural practices are applied.
• Coordinate the establishment of extension services to farmers in coordination with line ministries, including Ministry of Production and Natural Resources at the locality and state levels.
• Supervise all technical aspects of the project within the context of agriculture and food security interventions, including agriculture inputs and seeds fair systems, farmer-to-farmer extension, on-farm trial plots, and micro-credits groups.
• Deliver targeted capacity building support for relevant staff to ensure holistic and technical sound programming.
• Supervise, coach and evaluate technical staff (including partner staff and seconded staff) on a regular basis.
• Represent NEF and the project at technical forums related to agriculture and food security.
• Ensure effective coordination and collaboration with relevant market actors.
• Roll-out technical quality assurance/control systems across the project cycle
• Make regular visits to project sites in the field to observe activities and meet participants.
• Ensure that technical approach is monitored in an effective and timely manner.
• Ensure that all reports related to the technical approach are completed and submitted in a timely fashion.
• Document and share lessons learned.
• Perform any other support or duties as requested by the Area Manager, Program Director or the Country or HQ Directors.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of relevant work agriculture, food security and livelihoods.
• Excellent leadership and networking skills with relevant stakeholders.
• Experience in effective people and team management, including implementation of code of conduct, safeguarding and anti-corruption measures.
• Good communication skills in English.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check.
• Ability to document and disseminate best practices and lessons learned.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or relevant field, an advanced degree in business, economic or market development, preferred.
• At least 3 years of experience in Food Security, economic development or microfinance management.
• Experience working in farmers’ extension and farming production.
• Previous experience working on UNDP, EU, USAID or other internationally funded projects.
• Excellent oral and written communication in Arabic, is required. Good English oral and written communication is a plus.
• Previous experience managing projects in the Central Darfur State.

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please note, only applications received through the Near East Foundation Careers Page will be considered.

To apply:

Please apply by visiting the Near East Foundation Careers Page at  www.neareast.org/careers with the following documents:

1.      Cover letter (not more than 1 page) outlining all relevant experience and skills based on the requirements above and availability date

2.      Curriculum Vitae

3.      List of three references (former and current supervisors)

Please note only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeing employment and NEF employees.