Project Officer - Cotton Production & Marketing

 

We Effect is recruiting a Programme Officer - Cotton Production & Marketing

We Effect is a development organisation founded by the Swedish Cooperative Movement in 1958 to support the development of democratic organisations and societies. In our international development cooperation programmes, we are applying a human rights-based approach supporting people living in poverty to secure their rights.

We Effect works in 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Africa through our regional offices in partnership with local CSO’s, farmer organisations, cooperative federations, and other democratic organisations. For more information, see www.weeffect.org.

 

We Effect is now recruiting a Programme Officer who will be responsible for supporting programme partners in promoting sustainable cotton production and facilitating market access among women and youth cotton farmers in Southern Africa. The position is located in Lusaka, Zambia at the We Effect Regional Office.

 

Main responsibilities

 

We Effect, Regional Office of Southern Africa (ROSA) in Lusaka, is looking for a dynamic and passionate Programme Officer with substantial experience in agriculture, with a focus on the cotton sub-sector. The successful candidate will lead in the promotion of cotton certification standards among women and youth farmers in Southern Africa, in partnership with local implementing Partner Organisations.

 

As Programme Officer, you will report to the Regional Programme Manager and will be responsible for: 

·        Promoting cotton certification standards and facilitating market access of certified cotton produced by women and youth cotton farmers in target areas.

·        Facilitate capacity building of partner organisations and smallholder women and youth farmers in cotton certification and marketing procedures and implementation of cotton certification standards in the project areas with a specific focus on the issues affecting women and youth farmers in the cotton industry.

·        Undertake regular field monitoring visits with the Gender, Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Officer to partner organisations and smallholder cotton farmer groups in the project areas to provide backstopping and assess progress on cotton certification, marketing and extension.

·        Generate and facilitate linkages with smallholder cotton farmers, ginning companies and certification bodies secretariat for the promotion of cotton certification standards and marketing incentives.

·        Prepare appropriate regional monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports for the Sustainable Cotton Project.

·        Prepare annual work plans and activity budgets in line with We Effect standard guidelines and implementation strategies for the Sustainable Cotton Project.

·        Participate in meetings related to cotton certification, marketing and extension for smallholder farmers at the national and regional level. 

·        Support the establishment of a regional advisory body and strengthen the capacity of existing regional bodies to lobby for cotton certification across the region.

·        Conduct lobbying and advocacy activities to regional bodies on issues related to policies, cotton trade and certification standards.

·        Assist the Regional Programme Manager to organise consultative meetings and workshops, seminars with partner organisations and stakeholders. To contribute to effective communication and collaboration between We Effect, partner organisations, smallholder farmer groups and other stakeholders to promote visibility and achieve projects goals.

 

About you

You have several years of experience working within the agriculture sector and particularly in the cotton sub-sector. You are a feminist with an excellent understanding of gender equality and climate justice in development cooperation in both its theory and practice and you are firmly rooted in the rights-based approach.

 

As Programme Officer, you are mature and value-based, with the commitment, experience, and ability to organise, plan, prioritise and communicate your work to achieve results. You share We Effect’s vision of a sustainable and just world for all, free from poverty.

Required qualifications

·             Degree in Agriculture, Agriculture Science or Agribusiness A Master’s degree is an added advantage.

·             At least five years of substantial working experience in the agriculture sector and particularly in the cotton sub-sector. Experience at the regional level is added advantage.

·             Experience working in the Private sector and/or Civil Society Organisations.

·             Proven experience in programme planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of development cooperation projects.

·             Experience in conducting assessments, market analysis and value chain analysis.

·             Experience in leading advocacy campaigns and other advocacy initiatives in relation to agriculture.

·             Knowledge and experience in promoting sustainable agriculture land-use practices among smallholder farmers in Southern Africa.

·             Knowledge of Climate Change and Resilience approaches.

·             Proven experience of working on gender equality and specifically with women in smallholder farmers.

·             Good understanding and experience in the application of rights-based approaches.

·             Strong oral and written communication skills,

·             Strong team player with excellent deadline management and ease to work towards set goals.

·             Proficient in computer skills, and/or data collection, management and analysis software Experience in using SPSS and Nvivo is added advantage. through this link

Application

Apply by uploading your CV and cover letter through this link to https://www.impactpool.org/jobs/733376  no later than 17:00hrs on 14^th October 2021. Your application documents must be in English. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

 

This is a local position. Only eligible Zambians and other nationals with work permits are encouraged to apply.

 

The employment contract is for 2 years (with the possibility of prolongation) and begins with a three-month probationary period.

 

We Effect strive for diversity in the organisation and welcome all applicants regardless of sex, age, sexual identity or orientation, disabilities or ethical or religious affiliation.

For more information

 

If you have any technical difficulties uploading the application, please contact Bennie.Ncube@weeffect.org