Economic Recovery Agriculture Officer (x 2)

Introduction

The Danish Refugee Council assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfillment of the wish to return home.

The Danish Refugee Council was founded in Denmark in 1956 and has since grown to become an international humanitarian organization with more than 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers. Based in Copenhagen (Denmark) and present in forty countries, the Danish Refugee Council is a non-profitmaking, politically independent, non-governmental and non-denominational relief organization.

Our vision is a dignified life for all displaced. All our efforts are based on our value compass: humanity, respect, independence and neutrality, participation, and honesty and transparency.

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states. DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Overall purpose of the role: 

Support the Team Leader to implement Economic Recovery Agriculture programming and support market systems development (MSD). Improve the agricultural production practices for farmers’ associations while assisting in developing social cohesion between members of the target communities through village loan & credit associations.

Responsibilities:

Supporting Agricultural Inputs Distributions and Nutrition Activities

• Ensure beneficiaries are screened, selected, and verified through use of developed targeting criteria in operational areas.
• Facilitate the implementation of agricultural production, small business, and complementary nutrition programming through liaison with line manager.
• Assist beneficiaries in the establishment of home gardens/poultry production and continued support throughout the project timeframe.
• Work with line manager to plan for agricultural inputs distributions and ensure inputs distributed accountably.
• Organize small business training and business planning activities with beneficiaries.
• Provide information to beneficiaries about market price monitoring and business development opportunities.
• Provide food security guidance, on an individual or group basis, to increase beneficiaries’ awareness of different nutrition foods based on market assessment and beneficiary interests.
• Supervision of community volunteers implementing agriculture, other Economic Recovery and Market System initiatives
• Coordinate in Planning, supervising, and monitoring training, awareness, and sensitization activities, including maintenance and verification of all supporting documentation and activities (e.g. pre- and post-tests).
• Submit weekly reports and contribute to compilation of the monthly report.
• Assist in maintaining records of all activities, to complete timely reports for DRC and for external actors, including donors.
• Assist the Economic Recovery Food Assistance Team Leader in project documentation.
• Any other duties assigned by line manager.

Capacity building

• Support the Economic Recovery Agriculture Team Leader to deliver agriculture training modules for beneficiaries.
• Work closely with Ministry of Agriculture Extension workers in facilitating vegetable farming/poultry production training for beneficiaries.
• Ensure the organization of training and other events related to the project.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Coordination of Ward level stakeholders in consultation with line manager.
• Ensure that protocol is followed through stakeholder consultation at all stages of project implementation.
• Coordinate farmer’s and stakeholders’ consultations for better activity implementation.
• Ensure farmers strictly applied the production technics protocol provide to them. 
• Ensure the stakeholders are involved and consulted at all stages of project implementation.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Work closely with the monitoring team on monitoring and evaluation tools for Economic Recovery activities.
• Facilitate the collection of qualitative and quantitative data and monitoring of projects through team meetings, post-assistance visits, regular reporting, and any other monitoring tools.
• Conduct regular field visits to selected beneficiaries, reporting, and other monitoring tools.
• Participate in internal evaluations of programmes.

Representation

• If requested by the Economic Recovery Program Manager represents DRC in food security sector working groups, cash working group and interagency planning workshops.
• Represent, and where necessary, advocate on behalf of DRC with local authorities.

The responsibilities listed in the JD are not exhaustive and may be readjusted according to operational needs but will remain in line with the overall purpose of the role.

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

Essential:

• Experience in Food Assistance Programming
• At least 2 years working experience in CVA and in the field of agriculture extension and training of farmers is required is required
• Experience of humanitarian work with displaced populations in Adamawa or Yobe is essential

Desirable:

• Knowledge of North-East Nigeria context

Good IT skills (especially Ms. Office)

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

University Degree in Agriculture, Social Sciences, Economics, Business Studies, International Affairs, Humanitarian or related field.

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in local spoken languages.

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

Internal

• Other programme staff

External

• Consortium partners
• Relevant government line ministries and departments
• Local authorities
• Other NGOs

Application Process

Are you interested? Then apply for this position online: www.drc.dk/about-drc/vacancies/current-vacancies. All applicants must send a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages). Both must be in English.

DRC provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

DRC encourages all applicants to apply and does not practice any discrimination in any recruitment process.

Applications close on the 3rd of January 2025 at midnight (GMT-time). Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Due to the urgency of the position, DRC has the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required profile before the above deadline.