Agriculture Officer

Responsibilities

The Agriculture Officer will work in direct support of the Agriculture Coordinator to implement the agriculture component of the Yazidi Empowerment Project (YEP) which includes 150 greenhouses and a variety of fruit trees. S/he will be responsible for distributing inputs to households, conducting trainings and technical support visits, and advising on effective farming and business methods. The Agriculture Officer will also assist in data collection and identification of market linkages for the sale of produce. Samaritans Purse is looking for committed, hardworking applicants with a passion to serve people with dignity.

Job Duties: 

• Organize and conduct agriculture field trainings in line with project curriculum, targets, and objectives.
• Conduct daily field visits to the greenhouses for coaching and monitoring crop growth and development.
• Provide technical assistance on greenhouse management and marketing strategies while also serving as a general resource for beneficiaries.
• Regularly meet with beneficiary households to check on progress towards livelihoods goals and conduct post distribution monitoring.
• Work directly with beneficiary families to plant, water, and care for seeds, saplings, and plants.
• Assist with market research to identify the best areas and markets to sell produce grown in the greenhouses.
• Coordinate with local vendors, Agriculture Coordinator, and YEP Livelihoods PM to arrange for procurement of project supplies and inputs.
• Regularly report on program activities, success stories, lessons learned, and other relevant information to the Agriculture Coordinator and YEP Livelihoods PM.
• Report concerns regarding a beneficiary and their family to the Agriculture Coordinator and YEP Livelihoods PM.
• Attend and contribute to regular team meetings.
• Uphold the SP Code of Conduct at all times.
• Perform all other duties as assigned by the Agriculture Coordinator and YEP Livelihoods PM.

Skills Required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be willing to abide by Samaritans Purses code of conduct and understand the principals of Samaritans Purses statement of faith, as well as be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Able to identify and diagnose different insect, pest, diseases and deficiency symptoms in greenhouse crops.
2. Able to interpret soil test results and advise appropriate fertilizer application quantities and methods.
3. Able to work in greenhouses and tree groves directly.
4. Well acquainted with irrigation system operations, greenhouse structure repair and maintenance. 
5. Concern for others and respect for people of all ethnicities, religions, genders, and backgrounds.
6. Attention to detail, anticipation and follow up are core values of the job function while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality regarding contracts and salaries.
7. Possesses strong organizational and problem-solving skills within a fast-paced environment.
8. Must be a self-starter and internally driven to success and hard work.
9. Possesses strong cross-cultural communication skills, both written and verbal.
10. Must be a humble team player.
11. Ability to be flexible and adaptable, taking on additional responsibilities as needed.
12. Knowledge of computer systems and its applications such as Outlook, Word, and Excel including formulas/formatting.
13. He/she must have analytical and report writing skills.
14. High level of integrity and stewardship.
15. Committed to the SP values and ethics.
16. Above average mathematic skills

Education / Experience Needed

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture or related field preferred but not necessary
• Agricultural experience required (minimum two years of relevant experience)
• Experience working with NGOs preferred

LANGUAGE 

• Fluency in Kurdish and Arabic required.
• Proficiency in English is a plus

To apply for this position, please click Here.