District Field Technician

Organizational Setting

The post is based in Mozambique, specifically in the districts of Mecanhelas, Cuamba and Marrupa in Niassa province, where the Emergency agricultural livelihoods support to vulnerable displaced households, host communities and smallholder farmers in Niassa province (OSRO/MOZ/147/JPN) project is being implemented with the aim of mitigating the impact of conflict and climate shocks on the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, while laying the foundation to sustainably build resilient livelihoods against future shocks and stressors.

In Niassa province, where the major threats is related to climate hazards, such as the El Niño-induced drought, and then by heavy rains, with severe impact on agriculture production in its southern districts, the project envisages a mixed intervention aimed at contributing to livelihoods restoration (crop production, horticulture, small livestock), and capacity building, while strengthening the local market linkages towards enhanced food production and self-reliance while improving the adaptation, resilience and integration into sustainable value chains.

At the field level, FAO will provide technical assistance to Implementation Partners, including District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Producer Organizations promoting improved inputs and climate-smart agricultural practices (conservation agriculture, agroforestry, sustainable soil management, among others), and building the capacities of beneficiaries households and communities using Participatory Extension Methodologies, including Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approaches. 
 

Reporting Lines

The District Field Technician will report directly to the National Project Coordinator, in close collaboration with the Project Experts, under overall supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Programme Manager.

Technical Focus

Participatory Extension Approaches, climate smart agriculture (CSA), sustainable soil management, seed multiplication, livestock production, market linkages, food security and nutrition.  

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Support the National Project Coordinator in daily management, implementation and monitoring of the project activities at district level 
•     Participate in the identification of the target areas and beneficiaries based on FAO vulnerability criteria developed by the project
•     Responsible for the coordination of the project activities in each targeted district
•     Coordinate the implementation of the activities with other experts providing technical support to the project 
•     Contribute to the organization of the training activities targeting district technicians and community members on livestock and crop farming practices
•     Identify promising farmers households, associations and groups to act as partners in the project by promoting best practices.
•     Supervise farmers and farmers groups/association engaged in local seed multiplication in the district
•     Conduct Field Days at district level to promote knowledge exchange on Good and Smart Agriculture Practices leading towards sustainable soil management
•     Assess training needs for beneficiaries’ households and groups and prepare a refreshment program (IPM, SSM, post-harvest management, value addition and processing/preservation, etc.)
•     Coordinate with district extension supervisors in promotion of participatory extension activities (such as the FFS groups, or association network) on value chains and agrobusiness development
•     Monitor the activities of service providers contracted by the project to ensure that activities are completed within the specified timeframe and quality
•     Follow-up the implementation of the LOAs at district level
•     Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing with stakeholders to ensure all staff members are aware of current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback
•     Collect data on project implementation and progress report, including the development of success stories and lessons learned
•     Perform other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in agriculture or livestock
•     At least three years of technical and practical experience in two of the following areas: rural extension/FFS, seed production, horticulture, storage and post-harvest, livestock production and market linkages
•     Working knowledge of English and Portuguese
•     National of Mozambique

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Extent and relevance of work with participatory extension methodologies
•     Prior experience in a supervisory position with problem solving and decision-making skills
•     Extensive professional experience working with development projects and project management particularly 
•     Relevant experience in the implementation of FFS programs
•     Extent and relevance of experience in implementation of climate change adaptation and/or mitigation projects
•     Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other district level stakeholders
•     Good ability to develop working relationships, coordinate and solve problems
•     Proven experience in working with teams in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments
•     Previous experience with gender equality

Selection Criteria

•     Background experience on technical areas related to seed multiplication, value chain approaches, agroforestry, and market-oriented production in emergency or development projects implemented by NGOs or UN agencies.
•     Experience in participating in survey using Kobo Collect and/or assessments for participatory identification of needs and priorities in the context or rural development or re-construction
•     Computer skills (MS Office and Internet Explorer)
•     Have a 125cc motorbike driving license and experience in driving in difficult terrain (mandatory).
•     Knowledge and skills to communicate with different categories of audiences.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION