Job Title: Project Officer

Division: CWS Africa – Relief, Development and Protection (RDP)

Section: Program

Report: Project Manager (direct reporting); Emergency Response and DRR Coordinator (Matrix reporting)

Primary Purpose

Church World Service (CWS) is an International Non-Governmental Organization founded in 1946. The mission of CWS is to transform communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. CWS’ headquarter is in USA- New York and with regional representation across the world.

The Project Officer provides support to the Project Manager with a responsibility of implementing the day to day project activities in the CWS Sustainable Vegetable Production Project, Nyarugusu Refugee Camp Kasulu, Kigoma Region, Tanzania.

Supervises

This position supervises Local Extension Officers and Lead Farmers assigned to the Sustainable Vegetable Production Project in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp in Kasulu

Specific Responsibilities

• Identify, profile, verity and register farmers for Sustainable Vegetable production project
• Organize project meetings at community level
• Organize farmers in working groups and train them in group dynamics record keeping and good governance and facilitate the development of group norms and rules
• Working with the farmers develop lead farmers selection criteria and select the lead farmer
• Organize and train TOTs/ lead farmers and farmer/farmer groups in agricultural field days, seminars and demonstrations.
• With the support of project Manager and working with other project staff conduct environmental analysis and provide guidance towards mitigation
• Provide weather information to guide the farmers on planting and managing their crops
• Train farmers on sustainable vegetable production, organic farming, integrated pest management (IPM), tropical vegetable seed storage and management, nutrition
• Train farmers on harvest and post-harvest management
• Organize farmer exchange visits
• Conduct farm visits to assess and determine adoption or transfer of technologies at farmer levels to offer practical solutions to technical problems they may be facing.
• Facilitate and connect farmers with market linkages
• Participate in the field monitoring and data collection visits; analyze data collected; and identify project results and lessons learned.
• Prepare written weekly reports report that reflects outputs and challenges encountered as well as develop weekly and monthly plans.
• Collaborate with other extension services providers and development partners to improve the knowledge, attitudes and practice of the small-scale farmer, either by direct farming activities or other related development project activities.
• Collaborate with other program sectors in CWS to achieve CWS corporate responsibility and mandate.
• Conduct relevant research either directly or in collaboration with other departments and stakeholders.
• Promote the positive image of CWS, ensuring visibility and recognition among relevant stakeholders.
• Supervise local extension officers and lead farmers and coordinate their services to the farmers
• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Project Coordinator to enhance an efficient and effective delivery of services and support to our partners.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution and two years of experience or a higher diploma with five years of experience is required. Key areas of study include general agriculture, horticulture, and agricultural education and extension. Experience in indigenous vegetable production is added an asset.

Experiences

• 3 years of paid work experience is required
• Farmer group organization.
• Experience working with farmer groups and mentorship of lead farmers
• Conducting agricultural baseline survey, data collection and analysis
• Facilitation of Trainers of Trainers (TOT)
• Training on vegetable production and knowledge on indigenous vegetables
• Nutrition surveys and training
• Agricultural/food security project implementation is required
• Proposal development skills required
• Extensive knowledge of GLOBALGAP and other related national and international food security protocols required
• Knowledge/experience working with donor funds is advantageous

Knowledge And Skills

• Seed varieties, processing and packaging; establishment of seed banks
• Familiar with program cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation
• Good knowledge of approaches to sustainable development and humanitarian programs including community resilience building
• Proven rapid needs assessment skills
• Training and facilitation skills
• Have good understanding of SDGs especially that concern ending hunger, reducing inequality, promoting health lives and building resilience infrastructures
• Computer skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills.

Abilities

• Ability to monitor, analyze, consult and report on program services,
• Ability to develop funding concepts and proposals;
• Able to work and stay in Kasulu a remote workstation;
• Design, coordinate and implement medium scale food security programs;
• Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS Africa administrative and operational information;
• Ability to work with culturally diverse staff and populations and variety of stakeholders and audiences;
• Ability to work independently as well as to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment;
• Take instructions, great attention to details, quality and standards control;
• Can work in a team and or lead a team to deliver expected outcomes;
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines;
• Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner and represent a positive image of CWS;
• Carry out all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision; and
• Effectively manage CWS Africa’s resources.