The Agriculture and Livestock Specialist will provide overall technical leadership, strategic guidance, and coordination for agriculture, livestock, and livelihood interventions under the project. The Specialist will guide, mentor, and supervise Agriculture Officers, Livestock Officers, and Livelihood & Enterprise Development Officers to ensure high-quality implementation of climate-resilient agriculture, livestock development, and livelihood enhancement activities.
The role focuses on strengthening rural livelihoods through climate-smart agriculture, sustainable livestock management, value chain development, and market linkages, while ensuring strong community participation and alignment with national policies and development strategies.
Key Responsibilities
1. Technical Leadership and Team Supervision
- Provide strategic and technical leadership for agriculture, livestock, and livelihood interventions under the project.
- Guide, mentor, and supervise Agriculture Officers, Livestock Officers, and Livelihood & Enterprise Development Officers to ensure effective and high-quality implementation of project activities.
- Support field teams in planning, implementing, and monitoring agriculture and livestock activities in line with project objectives.
- Ensure technical consistency and quality control across all agriculture, livestock, and livelihood interventions.
2. Project Planning and Implementation
- Lead the planning, design, and implementation of climate-smart agriculture and livestock development activities.
- Develop annual work plans, technical guidelines, and implementation strategies for agriculture and livestock interventions.
- Ensure integration of climate change adaptation, sustainable natural resource management, and livelihood diversification within project activities.
3. Capacity Assessment and Strengthening
- Conduct assessments of smallholder farmers' technical and institutional capacities to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement.
- Design and implement targeted capacity-building programs for farmers, livestock keepers, producer groups, and community organizations.
- Provide technical coaching and on-the-job mentoring to field staff and extension workers.
4. Community Engagement and Participatory Planning
- Facilitate participatory planning processes with communities, farmers' groups, and local authorities to design locally appropriate interventions.
- Promote inclusive participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in agriculture and livelihood activities.
- Strengthen collaboration with community institutions and local governance structures.
5. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Technology Promotion
- Promote adoption of climate-resilient technologies and practices such as drought-resistant crops, improved livestock breeds, efficient irrigation systems, and sustainable land management techniques.
- Establish demonstration plots, farmer field schools, and knowledge-sharing platforms to enhance learning and technology adoption.
6. Livestock Development and Animal Health
- Guide livestock development interventions including improved animal husbandry practices, disease prevention, vaccination campaigns, and feed management.
- Support the establishment and strengthening of community-based livestock services and veterinary networks.
7. Livelihood and Value Chain Development
- Lead initiatives to strengthen agricultural and livestock value chains through market analysis, value chain mapping, and business development support.
- Facilitate market linkages, income diversification opportunities, and entrepreneurship development for rural households.
- Support the development of producer groups, cooperatives, and small agri-business enterprises.
8. Stakeholder Coordination and Partnerships
- Establish and maintain strong partnerships with government departments, NGOs, research institutions, and private sector actors.
- Coordinate with relevant authorities to ensure alignment with national agriculture and livestock development strategies.
- Represent the project in technical coordination meetings and stakeholder platforms.
9. Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning
- Ensure effective monitoring of agriculture and livestock interventions in collaboration with the M&E Officer.
- Contribute to baseline surveys, end-line assessments, and learning reviews.
- Prepare timely technical reports, progress updates, and documentation of best practices and lessons learned.
10. Research, Innovation, and Knowledge Management
- Identify research gaps and opportunities for innovation in agriculture and livestock development.
- Promote evidence-based approaches and integrate best practices in climate-smart agriculture and livestock management.
- Facilitate knowledge sharing and learning within the project team and with external stakeholders.
11. Additional Responsibilities
- Perform other duties assigned by the Project Manager and ENRM Coordinator to support project objectives.
