Agroecology Officer

Contract: 2 Years (Renewable)

Department: WASH Project

Reports To: WASH Project Lead

Summary:

This position plays a crucial role in the STAWI Mashinani program, a USAID-funded initiative focused on enhancing water resource management for domestic and productive use. The Agroecology Officer will be responsible for managing and implementing programs that promote sustainable water use for agriculture, livestock rearing, and domestic purposes, while fostering collaboration with local communities and stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Technical Expertise:
  • Provide expert knowledge and guidance on water for productive use (WfPU) activities, integrating sustainable farming practices into the STAWI Mashinani program.
  • Collaborate with the STAWI Mashinani team to develop, pilot, and implement agroecology and sustainable food system solutions that enhance agricultural production.
• Capacity Building:
  • Conduct or facilitate training workshops for stakeholders, including Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs), farmers and community members, on topics like efficient water use, climate-smart water technologies, and agroecological practices.
• Business Development and Partnerships:
  • Work with the WASH Manager to develop and implement technical assistance plans for WfPU businesses, such as irrigation schemes, focusing on improving operation and maintenance (O&M) and efficiency
  • Engage with private sector water businesses to explore opportunities for delivering water services for productive purposes.
  • Collaborate with financial institutions like the Agricultural Finance Corporation to identify and expand funding opportunities for water supply investments, enabling enterprises and cooperatives to improve water recharge and storage.
• Community Engagement and Project Management:
  • Support community groups in designing and implementing well-managed water harvesting and multi-use water systems to increase water availability for productive uses.
  • Prepare regular progress reports and provide timely updates to key stakeholders, ensuring adherence to donor guidelines and deadlines.
  • Apply best practices in project management, ensuring project deliverables are met and leading the technical aspects of the project.
  • Filling in for other project staff as and when need arises.
  • Any other additional work as assigned by the project lead.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in agricultural/water science, agronomy, agribusiness, water resource management, environmental science, or a related field. Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in planning, programming, and implementing water for productive use and agriculture-focused programs.
• Experience working on donor-funded projects, preferably with USAID.
• Deep understanding of Taita Taveta County, particularly in the context of WASH.
• Proven experience in delivering high-quality reports for development partners and donors.
• Strong oral and written communication, analytical, interpersonal, attention to detail, organizational, team management, and community mobilization skills.
• Proficiency in IT applications.