Effective agriculture has the power to change lives. It underpins prosperity, food security and stability the world over. Farm Africa focuses on transforming agriculture and managing natural resources sustainably. We champion a holistic approach that boosts yields, protects the environment and connects smallholder farmers to thriving markets.

We work with different types of farmers in a range of regions. Their local situations vary, but the problems they face are all too familiar: lack of training and technology, inadequate inputs, no finance, vulnerability to climate change and poor links to markets.

We have an ambitious strategy to expand our work over the next five years. We’ll increase our impact. Lift more communities out of poverty. Work with more corporate partners who share our vision. Open up more agricultural markets. Provide more expertise.

BACKGROUND

Currently Farm Africa has been implementing SIDA funded program called Growth for the Future (G4F-I): Harnessing small-holder productivity, adapting to climate change and protecting environments. Within the programme Farm Africa has been implementing a project entitled ‘Integrated approach to improve rural livelihoods, empowering communities and partners’. This project has been implemented by Farm Africa and the Union of Ethiopian Women Charitable Associations (UEWCA).

The overall goal of the programme is to contribute to achievement of the Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation Plan II (GTPII) through agriculture business development, capacity building in project implementation and delivery, civil society strengthening and embedding climate smart practices in identified development interventions. This overarching programme is divided into three key projects:

• Project 1: Delivery of institutional capacity building services to local institutions and partners contributing to Ethiopia’s GTPII. This will involve the development and delivery of bespoke training packages for institutional development for government institutions and civil society organisations.
• Project 2: Close collaboration, capacity building and technical support to the project partner UEWCA (Union of Ethiopian Women’s Charitable Association) in natural resource management and climate resilience. The project will support the organisation to build its member associations ability to support women to increase their socioeconomic resilience and integration.
• Project 3: The cultivation of climate-smart focused agricultural value chains to empower smallholder famers in SNNPR. This project will be delivered directly by a Farm Africa team under the Programme Manager and will work with several producer cooperatives and farmers.

The programme will operate in Tigray, Afar, Amhara, Oromia, SNNPRS, Somali and Beneshangul Gumuz Regional states and Addis Ababa City Administration.Farm Africa will take a lead role for the programme implementation, quality assurance, technical backstopping, monitoring and evaluation, partner management and donor reporting.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Community Development Facilitator (CDF) will be based in Hadero Tunto Woreda and work under the direction and guidance of the field team, mainly the Community Development Officer and Project Coordinator. The Community Development Facilitator will be responsible for implementing the overall implementation of Project 3, that is, to cultivate climate-smart focused agricultural value chains and agribusinesses to empower small holder famers in SNNPR.

The CDF is responsible for the overall implementation of project activities at community level. Specifically, the CDF forms the link between the project field team and the communities and local government representatives and engage in community/institutional capacity building activities

KEY TASKS AND RESPONISBILITES

Key areas of responsibilities are:

Implement project activities at community level

• Work with the project team based at Halaba and government counterparts to achieve the project outputs/outcomes at his/her specific Woreda
• Support CDOs in identifying training needs, prepare training materials, and deliver training, business plan development and other services to CBOs and unions
• Ensure adequate consultation and participation of Woreda and village/community level stakeholders ensuring active participation of women
• With support of the CDOs, provide expertise and advice for community institutions on gender mainstreaming in the project scheme
• Facilitate community meetings, among others, discuss modalities within CBOs
• Conduct other duties as may be assigned by the CDO

Support and facilitate community/institutional capacity building activities

• Facilitate periodical capacity assessment of CBOs by collecting data using the Organizational and Managerial Capacity Assessment  Tool (OCAT)
• Ensure implementation of these capacity building plans (including, among others, technical support) in close collaboration with the Community Development Officer and Woreda Level Cooperative Promotion Office.

Play an active role as a member of the Farm Africa Project team 

• Act as an active member of the project team by identifying and exploring opportunities to improve project implementation and guarantee it’s sustainability
• Contribute to the implementation of Farm Africa’s strategy
• Participate in broader Farm Africa meetings with other project staff members, as requested by line manager

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to having performance goals and/or targets established.

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

EXPERT. Deep expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.

GROUNDED. Positive change starts with Africa’s people, so our experts work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.

IMPACTFUL. We take a long-term view so we can deliver lasting changes for farmers and their families.

BOLD. We model innovative new approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.

PROJECT: Integrated Approach to Improving Rural Livelihoods through Agribusiness and Agricultural Value Chains, Empowering Communities and Partners

REPORTS TO: Community Development Officer

REPORTING TO POSTHOLDER: None

DURATION & HOURS: One year

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Education, qualifications & other knowledge

Essential

• Bsc qualification or equivalent in either of the following fields: agri-economics, agriculture, business, agricultural business, international development, rural development, or any other relevant discipline.
• Knowledge of climate smart agri-value chain development
• Good understanding and firm belief in gender equality and issues in rural communities

Experience

Essential

• Three years work experience in similar organisations
• Experience in the area of organizational capacity building of community based institutions
• Experience with grassroots NGOs and/or communities in Ethiopia
• Demonstrable experience of participatory development approach
• Experience with participatory rural appraisal (PRA) tools

Desirable

• Work experience in the SNNPR
• Experience in working with the OCAT

Skills & abilities

Essential

• Very good English language skills (written and spoken)
• Fluent in local languages of the region
• Good skills of data analysis and good report writing
• Motor cycle driving licence
• Willingness to work and travel in hardship areas
• Ability to identify problems and solve complex issues
• Network and excellent relationship with government partners and other stakeholders
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of Farm Africa
• Good community level facilitation and coordination skills