The Program Officer (Food systems) will support the food systems activities of Helen Keller Intl in country. S/he will contribute to the overall effort of HKI’s food systems programs in planning, organizing, training, supervising, and monitoring.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Coordination and Networking:

• Collaborate closely with Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute (SLARI), Njala Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) both at national and district level.
• Facilitate market linkages along the orange flesh sweet potato (OFSP) value chain (from producers →processors → market), dialogue and advocate with stakeholders.
• Support in developing implementation plans and sub awards, as needed.
• Support the team to identify and engage processors, bakers and producers to improve the OFSP value chain.
• Support identification and migration of vines from both upland and low land sites and from first cropping season to second cropping season.
• Support all procurements, BvAs and knowledge management initiatives in the team.
• Represent Helen Keller on all external platforms, as requested by supervisor.

Training:

• Support/co-facilitate the training of farmer-based organizations (FBOs) and mother support groups (MSGs) in target districts on best agronomic practices package.
• Support/co-facilitate the training of processors, bakers, and petty traders on processing technique of OFSP for commercial purposes.
• Support the revision and adaptation of training materials.
• Support/co-facilitate all other relevant trainings under the program inlcuding climate smart agriculture practices.

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Support the M&E Officer in data collection and monitoring.
• Monitor maintenance and multiplication of all farmers’ groups nationwide.
• Provide supportive supervision and feedback to beneficiaries and the program.
• Contribute to and participate in any program evaluations/assessments, as needed.

Advocacy

• Source and write success stories inlcuding photographs for donor reports and social media pages of the organization.
• Support and participate in advocacy meeting, sharing of results and learning event along value chain actors.

Reporting:

• Contribute to the donor reporting.
• Contribute to any global reports, as needed.
• Contribute to the CO matrix and strategic plan.
• Carry out any additional appropriate tasks that are requested by Helen Keller

Qualification and Experience

• Must be able to work in a dynamic and complex environment.
• Ability to carry out responsibilities independently with minimal guidance.
• Excellent written and verbal English language skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office.
• To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to email or hand-deliver to: Helen Keller Int Office at 16H James Macarthy Drive, off Spur Road, Wilberforce, Freetown.