Crop production Specialist

<!–

Description

–>

• Support the identification, planning, implementation and monitoring of the Sustainable Crop Production Intensification and diversification practices and technologies suitable for the target areas context. 
• Provide technical support for the implementation of the identified practices and technologies and promote climate smart agriculture- conservation agriculture, soil and water conservation, soil fertility management, drought tolerant and escape varieties planting and introduce community-based seed multiplication and FFS. 
• Follow-up and monitor the progress of the implementation of dryland farming and rangeland plans of the project and identify any deviation and take corrective measures to ensure timely delivery of projects.
• Participate in the preparation of technical guidelines, manuals, training materials and leaflets on improved crop production technologies and best practices.
• Provide training on agronomic practices/ dryland farming practices, conservation/climate smart agriculture (CSA), integrated pest management (IPM), post-harvest management (PHM), Soil and water conservation, soil fertility management, crop/livestock interaction, grassland management, farmer manged natural regeneration (FMNR), FFS and home gardening.
• Liaise with Service Providers of the project and any other stakeholders in the target woredas to ensure timely and relevant participation of the stakeholders in the coordination platforms and mechanisms established for project implementation at woreda level. 
• Contribute to the conducting of periodic reviews and appraisals of crop production in the target woreda/kebele. 
• Assist in the timely distribution agricultural inputs to targeted farmers.  
• Collect and document all the necessary dryland farming and FMNR activities information disaggregated by sex and age composition of targeted households and their family on project activities.
• Facilitate environmental and social impact assessments for dryland agriculture and FMNR and preparation of Social & Environment plans. 
• Contribute towards the dryland and FMNR activities visibility and communication plan including relevant case stories, success stories, pictures, photographs, and lessons learned and IEC materials development. 
• In collaboration with the project team and FAO’s Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, participate in the design and implementation of baseline surveys and mapping of the target woredas and beneficiary sites; and monitor and evaluate the progress of activities, the impact of programming and drawing up lessons learned; and implement suggestions to improve performance and the necessary adjustments to the work plans.
• Contribute to the detailed project annual work plans related to the crop production portion of the project and make necessary arrangements for their successful implementation.
• Compile and submit weekly/bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports timely against the plans, highlighting any constraints to project implementation and possible solutions.
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Advanced university degree in crop production.
• 8 years of relevant experience in dryland crop production 
• Working knowledge of English and the official language of the country. 
• National of the country 

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in climate smart agriculture. 
• Extent and relevance of experience in integrated pest management (IPM).
• Familiarity with the government’s current systems and policy environments. 

<!—

<!–

–>