Position:Agronomist
Project/Programme: Coordination of the agriculture sector and implementation of the agricultural activities on the field
Location: Meru Herbs Base Camp, Tunyai - Tharaka-Nithi County. Frequent travels to Meru Town and Nkubu.
Report to: Project Manager, Head of Mission, Deputy Head of Mission
Duration of the Project: 36 months
Donors: Italian Cooperation
Duration of the contract : 12 months with possible extension- 3 months probation period
Basic salary/subside and allowance: KES 45,000 (starting salary)
Context
NGO IPSIA
Istituto Pace Sviluppo Innovazione Acli (IPSIA) is an Italian non-governamental organization founded in 1985. IPSIA headquarters are based in Rome, Italy. IPSIA aims to help communities in different parts of the world to improve their access to healthcare, education and financial security. Current projects focus on assisting local development in rural areas and on supporting social care for vulnerable targets, like street children and women. In Africa and in Eastern Europe projects include community based development, child protection and support to local farmers.
IPSIA in Kenya
IPSIA started its operation in the Central Counties of Kenya in April2015 through an assessment mission aiming at 1. establishing fruitful relations and collaborations with partners and local actors (Italian Embassy, Dioceses of Meru and national and international NGOs) already active in the country and 2.carrying out a rapid evaluation on the most relevant constraints suffered by local farmers affected by Meru Herbs operations. IPSIA capacity to respond to the rural development needs in the country is confirmed by the long lasting experience in implementing agricultural projects and providing multi-sector approach funded by Italian Cooperation (i.e. Kosovo and Senegal, among others).
PROGRAMME
The challenge of the Agronomist is to carry out the necessary performance in support of the project activities aiming to foster Tharaka-Nithi agricultural development through a multi-sector intervention whose main targets will be the following ones: agriculture production, crops processing, sustainable energy, eco-tourism.
Responsibilities
The agronomist will work in close cooperation with Meru Herbs Staff and report to the Project Manager. More specifically:· In co-operation with Meru Herbs Agriculture Department, maps all the active organic farmers of Meru Herbs, their position and the size of their organic portion of land; · Assists Meru Herbs Agriculture Department in monitoring activities with associate farmers through periodical inspections and, more specifically, fills the ICS forms (following the guide lines of the organic certification body); · Supports the agriculture department team to create a complete database with all the MH members, their MH numbers and dates of conversion period. · Drafts a seasonal calendar of production for chamomile and carcadè to share with the farmers; · Supports the draft expected production plan at the beginning of each productive season; · Organizes and shares data of expected production with the agriculture team, the tea factory and the Nairobi office; · Selects a group of around 40 farmers (who are already MH members) to work with for training sessions about organic agriculture, introduction of new crops and new agricultural tools and equipments; · Implementation and enlargement of the demo shamba: assistance in the preparation of the land, installations of water tanks and provision of setups and equipments needed. · Coordinates the development of the demo shamba as a demonstration plot for new agricultural equipments and tools and new experimental crops. · Assists to gradually define an autonomous economic and organizational management for the demo shamba; · Organization of periodical staff meeting within the agriculture team in order to share tasks and duties. · Participation in periodical staff meetings.
Profile of the Candidate (Education, Training, Competences, Skills)
Minimum Requirements:
· Diploma/degree in Agriculture;
· Excellent level in English and Swahili;
· A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in a similar position in a NGO or business environment;
· At least 3 years of field experience in rural areas, preferably in Eastern Africa;
· Good knowledge of ICT (computer, network, communication means)
· Car and/or motorbike driving license.
· Willingness to relocate in the surroundings of MH Base Camp (accommodation within the Base Camp is available)
- Experience with organic agriculture will be considered an asset
HOW TO APPLY:
To apply send CV and a cover letter to ipsiakenya@gmail.com, specifying "Agronomist" in the e-mail object. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview
