Institutional Work Specialist / Agronomist

The Economic and Social Development Centre of Palestine (ESDC) is an independent Palestinian non-profit civil society organization, registered in Ramallah 2742003 under No. RA/2267/B. ESDC works on integrated rural development in Palestine through economic and social empowerment of cooperatives, CBOs, individuals and marginalized groups with special focus on women and youth groups.

ESDC is implementing a three year project “Supporting the Organizational and Production Capacities of Civil Society Organizations (SOPCSO)” in partnership with We Effect. The project is aiming “to strengthen the Coops/CBOs’ capabilities toward efficiently serving their members and communities through building their organizational, business, production and advocacy capacities and increased women participation”.
Within the framework of the said project (SOPCSO), ESDC is a seeking highly qualified Institutional Work Specialist / Agronomist (IWSA) to work with the target Civil Society Organization (CSOs)/Cooperatives in West Bank according to the following:

Job summary:
Under the supervision of the project coordinator, the IWSA is part of the cooperatives/ CSOs capacity building project team. The IWSA will contribute to building the institutional and production capacities of the targeted cooperatives/CSOS in harmony with the project objectives.

Tasks and Responsibilities:
-The IWSA will work at the field level. He/she will work under supervision of the project coordinator and in close cooperation with the project team in order to ensure proper preparation and implementation of the annual work plan.
-The IWSA will play a mentoring as well as an advisory role to youth/women cooperatives and CSOs’ staff /members on technical issues relating to the implementation of technical aspects and organizational development.
-The IWSA will be the focal point for communication between the target groups and the ESDC project coordinator.

He/she will be responsible for identifying and helping to resolve problems and conflicts that arise
in relation to his/her work.
-At all times the IWSA will act in a professional and courteous manner and will maintain a positive and constructive image of the project.
-He/she will provide technical advice and necessary training, extension visits, and develop work manuals covering relevant fields such as product development, marketing, pricing, organisational institution building, etc;
-Develop and review existing financial & administration systems, and guide the cooperatives/CSOs to work in accordance to operational, strategic and business plans;
-Where necessary, contribute in identifying and coordinating consultants’ works to provide technical and institutional training in accordance to the requirements of the target cooperatives/CSOs.
-Assist the ESDC’s project Coordinator in the collection of information in accordance with the project’s monitoring and evaluation strategy and action plan.
-Conduct follow up, guidance and monitoring field visits in close cooperation with ESDC project coordinators to ensure that their interventions and communication to the target cooperatives/SCOs are undertaken in respect of planned activities of ESDC‘s capacity building program and to ensure that best practices are applied.
-Facilitate smooth communication and cooperation between ESDC and target cooperatives/ CSOs as well as with other CSOs and with relevant Local Government Units
-Deliver reports on the achievement of outputs to ESDC on bimonthly, semi-annual, and annual base.
-Conduct the needed assessment for the targeted cooperatives/CSOs.
-Drafting scope of work, TORs, forms and tools for the needed tasks in the projects in a professional manner.
-Coordinate and implement the planned activities on a results based basis.
-Serve as technical advisor and support to the project management in the agricultural field.

Qualifications:
-University Degree in the fields of Institutional Capacity Building, or Agriculture, Master degree is preferred.
-Minimum of 5 years experience in the field of community based organizational development;
-Solid experience in working with farmers, women and youth cooperatives/CSOs; in the field of institutional and production capacity building.
-Understanding of the legal registration aspect for different kind community based organization.

Skills and Competencies
-Excellent communication, facilitation and listening skills
-Ability to coordinate and delegate tasks and responsibilities
-Ability to multi-task, prioritise and work effectively in a highly collaborative team environment
-Strong interpersonal skills including demonstrated communication and personnel
-Management skills.
-Proven personal commitment to socio-economic aspect.
-Excellent report writing skills and proficiency in English Language.

Expected Duration of assignment
The duration of the initial contract is 12 months, extendable based on performance and fund’s availability.
Interested applicants must submit:
a. A resume with three references
b. A cover letter explaining their suitability for the position.
Please submit your application by e- mail to [email protected] , no later than Monday, February 24th , 2014 and include the Job title in your email subject and cover letter. Applications received after this date or that do not meet the qualifications above will not be considered.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

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