Project Officer- Agriculture

Position : Project Officer Agribusiness (Nationals only)
Starting date : July 2021
Duty station : Amudat
Reports to : Project Manager
Date of posting : 16 June 2021

About ZOA

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Nwoya), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, WASH, primary/accelerated/vocational education, and conflict management with a special focus on land security.

ZOA is looking for a: Project Officer- Agriculture ( 1 position ) for Amudat

Purpose of the position
The Project Officer/Agriculture, with support from the Project Coordinator, is responsible for the day to day planning, and implementation of activities under the specific ZOA project(s) assigned to him/her.
Project specific
• Ensure farmers acquire good agronomic skills, apiary and IGA management skills and group dynamics/conflict resolution skills;
• Has high level of integrity and ensures group and farmers participation in planning and implementation of all project activities and pro-actively monitors and reports progress;
• Ensures link between farmers and Agric-input dealers, markets and farmer networks with the district and beyond;
• Actively contributes to capacity building of the Apiary, Horticulture and IGAs groups to deliver on the project outputs and outcomes within the project period.

Main activities
Tasks, responsibilities, results
General
• Implements project activities in line with the project proposal to achieve optimal project outputs and outcomes in line with ZOA/donor procedures and targets;
• Supports possible community volunteers in day to day implementation;
• Accounts timely for executed project activities in line with and according to relevant ZOA policies and guidelines;
• Ensures project outputs are consistent with project proposals, log frames and in line with quality standards and country policies;
• Oversees and ensures implementation at sub-county and community is in line with standards and policies of both ZOA and government of Uganda;
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project.
Reporting
• Provide inputs to implementation plans and activity/monthly reports;
• Identify, document lessons learned and best practices;
• Prepare and submit well written success stories;
• Contribute to project reports or implementation plans as required by supervisor;
• Collect monitoring data according to ZOA’s systems and activities in the project;
• Actively participate in (technical)/sector working groups and coordination meetings at Sub-County level.

Contacts
External contacts:
• Local government actors and relevant Sub-County offices;
• (if applicable) Lead in implementing project activities at the sub-Counties;
• Key project specific sector actors at the sub-County and community.
Internal contacts:
• ZOA Management;
• Members of the project team (Coordinator, Project Officers);
• Other project teams;
• Support staff.
Supervises
The Project Officer does not supervise any staff as a direct supervisor. Depending on the project the Project Officer might work and oversee the work of community volunteers.
Competencies
Knowledge & Experience:
• Degree or Diploma in General Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Agribusiness, Development Studies or other related relevant field;
• At least 1 – 2 years of successful experience in a similar position implementing related projects;
• Excellent facilitation, communication skills and writing ability;
• Understanding of the local context, culture, and language(s);
• Experience with implementing projects among pastoral communities is an added advantage;
• Having worked in a project in collaboration with a Local government extension workers is an added advantage;
• Excellent spoken and written command of English.
Skills:
• Good communication, writing and facilitation skills;
• Innovative, creative and enthusiastic;
• Good computer skills: Ms Excel and Ms Word;
• Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision;
• Ability to drive a motorcycle with valid driving/riding license.
Attitude:
• Flexibility and adaptability;
• Interpersonal and cross-cultural sensitivity;
• Able to work under pressures and meet deadlines;
• Able to work in a sometimes fluid and insecure environment;
• Aims to integrate and reflect Christian values in relief and rehabilitation work;