Agriculture Field Officer Huaphanh

Company Description

SNV is a not-for-profit international development organisation that applies practical knowledge to make a lasting difference in the lives of people living in poverty. We use our extensive and long-term in-country presence to apply and adapt our expertise in agri-food, energy, and water systems to local contexts. SNV has over 1,600 staff in more than 20 countries in Asia and Africa. We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation that uses project financing to implement our mission. This requires us to work efficiently and invest in operational excellence.

SNV's 2030 strategy aims to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through effective programme delivery and influencing, with a central focus on transforming agri-food, energy, and water systems to enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. We position ourselves as a learning organisation striving for excellence and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: .

Project Background

Enhancing Nutrition of Upland Farming Families (ENUFF) is a project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. The goal of the project is to improve family and child nutrition in remote and ethnically diverse upland farming communities through improved feeding, caregiving and dietary practices, reduced incidence of WASH related diseases linked to malnutrition, improved availability and accessibility of diverse nutritious foods, and a conducive institutional framework at the sub-national level.

The second phase of the project is being implemented in two districts in Houaphan and in two districts in Oudomxay provinces from July 2020 to June 2024. ENUFF Phase I has implemented a series of interventions in nutrition sensitive agriculture and social behaviour change and communication in nutrition and WASH through District Nutrition Teams and Village Nutrition Teams.  The phase II of the project will give continuation to these interventions with higher focus on improving nutrition of women and children. Additionally, the project will give special attention in improving rehabilitation of water systems, WASH in schools and health centres in this phase.

Job Description

The overall goal of this position is to support the ENUFF agriculture team in promoting agriculture techniques in target villages and conducting regular follow-up on the progress of adoption of new techniques/behaviour changes.

ENUFF provides technical agriculture trainings on different topics: home gardening, greenhouse management, growing legumes, poultry management, fruit production, fodder production and pasture management, livestock health and fisheries. DAFO staff provides regular technical trainings, field officers are expected to conduct Training of Trainers for DAFO staff and support them in the village roll-out.

Activities:

Under the authority and the oversight of the Agriculture component leader, the field officer will work closely with the DAFO staff and will also get support and guidance from the Agriculture team. The field officer will be responsible for developing planning, budgets and advances for agriculture trainings. Additionally, the field officer will be expected to conduct Training of Trainers of DAFO staff and follow-up the activities in the villages in the target community and monitor the activities. A total of 220 days will be allocated. The working area will be the selected villages in 2 districts in Houaphanh.

Deliverables:

• Attend the district training
• Activities planning, budgeting and settlement after completion of each activity.
• Attend weekly team meeting
• Provide ToT DAFO staff
• Keep oversight of agriculture trainings
• Keep oversight of material delivery to villages
• Follow-up and monitor agricultural practices in villages
• Report to agriculture team regularly on progress and issues/challenges

Other assignments are as requested.

Qualifications

• Diploma certificate from Agriculture school
• Applicant needs to be based in Xamnuea (Huaphanh)
• Ability to work collaboratively and successfully in a multicultural environment and with local communities.
• Lao nationality
• Ability to speak and write a report in English is an asset

Additional Information

Payment Terms: Actual number of chargeable dates will be based on the approved timesheet and completion of deliverables at the end of the month.       

Level of effort: A total of 220 days can be claimed to complete the work.

Time frame: The period of the assignment is from January – December 2023 with possibility of extension.

Work location: Based in Xamnuea Houaphanh with frequently travels to the selected villages of the project in Viengxay and Xiengkhor districts.

8. How to apply:

Interested applicants meeting the above requirements should submit their CV, cover letter and certificate of graduation to SmartRecruiters by clicking on "I'm interested" button on or before 3rd January 2023. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.