Field Officer/Agronomist

Position Title: Field Officer/Agronomist

Period: One year with possibility of extension
Starting Date: ASAP

About the Association:

The Agricultural Development Association was launched as an initiative by a small group of pioneer agronomists and farmers that emerged from the Palestinian voluntary movement in late 1970s.  In early 1980s PARC’s role and achievements were recognized throughout the Palestinian territories, aiming at filling the deliberate gab in provision of agricultural extension and developmental services induced by the Israeli occupation authorities. At the time, where the so-called Israeli civil administration intentionally proceeded to deprive the Palestinians of specialized extension programs, establishment of research stations, obtaining modern technology in agriculture, in a deliberate attempt to marginalize the Palestinian agriculture sector and dismantle the special bonds between the Palestinian farmers and their land so as to confiscate it later for settlement purposes. In 1983, PARC became an organization and committed itself to carry on working to contribute in protecting Palestinian land from confiscation through plantation of the uncultivated areas and providing Palestinian vulnerable farmers with extension services. PARC has undergone a number of various phases throughout the past decades.

About the Vacancy:

The Field Officer/Agronomist’s role is coordinate / design / develop plans with the Agriculture Project Coordinator and to oversee the implementation of the agricultural activities in line with the pre-designed plans and  project activities and focus on the main core aspects of the intervention, namely, targeting, impact, relevance and other aspects as well. It is expected that the Field Officer/Agronomist will be fully engaged in the technical part of the project including but is not limited to the design / the establishment of the irrigation systems, cultivation of farms and fencing,  producing technical reports, and coordinating with partners and stakeholders at different levels.

The Re-use of treated wastewater for agricultural irrigation in Southern Gaza Strip Project has been funded by the European Commission under Sustainable Water Integrated Management programme (SWIM) – Phase II project and activities in Gaza. This project is implemented in partnership with Oxfam and other leading local organizations.

The ideal candidate will have experience supervising and monitoring the progress of projects as well as supervising subordinate staff members and assist the Agricultural Project Coordinator in his tasks and duties. The candidate will have experience in agricultural, management, social work, preferably in the water-related projects. Other desirable skills include knowledge of modern agricultural practices and technologies, pre-harvest and post-harvest practices, agricultural credit, and improved planting material.

The selected candidate will be based in the Gaza strip and will focus on supervising and monitoring the activities of the community mobilizers as well as participating in the MEAL process and producing reports and necessary documentations. Moreover, the selected candidate should demonstrate the systematic thinking and the ability to assist in the analysis of information gathered by the subordinate staff members. He/she will report to the Agricultural Project Coordinator. Fluency in Arabic and English is required with Excellent English writing skills.

Qualifications:

-    At least 3-plus years’ experience working in water – agriculture related projects, preferably wastewater reuse and reclamation preferable in agriculture and water sectors.
-    University degree in agriculture, or any other relevant development field (Master’s Degree is a plus).
-    Extensive experience working with public and private sector partners.
-    A solid background in the NGO sector and particularly agricultural and water.
-    An in-depth knowledge of the Palestinian agriculture and water sectors
-    Excellent command in both English and Arabic languages
-    Self-starter, ability to work in fast-paced, diverse work environment with minimal support infrastructure.

Requires Skills

-    Report writing
-    Organizational skills
-    Analytical skills
-    Well-developed interpersonal skills
-    Numeracy skills
-    Communication skills
-    Team working skills
-    Diplomacy
-    Ability to motivate people
-    Management and leadership skills


Main Purpose of the position and key Tasks & Responsibilities:

Assist in developing systematic and comprehensive selection mechanisms (particularly for the selection of agricultural lands and farmers). Designing and conducting a continuous monitoring for individuals and farmers who will be targeted under this project. The Field Officer/Agronomist will focus on three main areas relating to PARC’s water intervention; namely, monitoring the progress of the project. In addition to, he / she will supervise / support the tasks and activities conducted by the community mobilizers, assisting the agricultural project coordinator in his tasks and reporting directly to him, keep track of the project activities according to the logical framework and the time tables. In the same context, he / she will assist in formulation, design, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of the project to ensure sustainability, efficiency and effectiveness of the project, as well as delivery and accomplishment of project goals and objectives.

Tasks and responsibilities:

-         Develop and improve data collection tools / techniques.
-         Work with the project coordinator and staff to develop a monitoring system for the project, capturing progress towards project indicators.
-         Work hand in hand with the community mobilizers under the Agricultural Project Coordinator’s supervision to achieve the following:

-   Design a very systematic and comprehensive selection / targeting mechanism.
-   Conduct regular visits to the projects’ targeted communities and meet with project beneficiaries.
-   Establish a data-base on the current beneficiaries.
-   Conduct regular visits to partner organizations and other related actors.
-   Review the pre-identified / developed plans of the project on a regular basis and amend / adapt changes when required.

-         Evaluate the implementation of project activities against PARC’s and Oxfam GB accountability guidelines.
-         Provide recommendations for improvements in any of the matters listed above.
-         Provide to technical support and design in the agriculture and the establishment of the irrigation systems, cultivation of farms and fencing
-         Analyzes baseline data and prepare a detailed Baseline Report in close coordination with the Project Coordinator.  This report will provide the basis for the final Evaluation;

-         Analyzes monitoring data on an on-going basis and translate those in concrete recommendations.
-         Provide the Agricultural Project coordinator and senior management with up-to-date overviews of progress on project implementation.
-         Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis with project staff and raises or highlights key issues with senior managers.
-         Maintain a good line of communications with the local communities as well as Oxfam and the other partners.
-         Conduct capacity building measures for the partnership associations and identify targeting mechanisms and areas for improvement.
-         Work closely with the technical coordinator and the business support team, including procurement and finance department to initiate and support procurement activities.
-         Oversee the data collection processes and follow up and supervise the mobilizers’ tasks.
-         Keep track of project progress and report any delays or changes to the Agricultural Project Coordinator.
-         Provide technical and managerial assistance to the other project staff members .
-         Assist the project staff to prepare success stories and/or brief reports to share with donors and other interested leading actors.
-         Develop reports as required (Progress, monitoring, other).
-         Represent PARC in meetings, workshops and seminars when needed.

Application:     Interested candidates should submit their CV along with a cover letter, both in English to:
 

Apply Now

Please indicate the job title (Field Officer/Agronomist) in the subject line in your e-mail application
Only the short-listed candidates will be considered and informed of the recruitment process. 

Application deadline:    23/7/2017

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