The Agronomist Assistant will support the implementation of sustainable agricultural interventions under the RISE Project to improve food security, livelihoods, and resilience among refugee and host communities in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement. The role focuses on technical field support, training, and close engagement with beneficiaries to promote climate-smart agriculture and household self-reliance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Technical Field Support
- Assist the lead agronomist and project coordinator in the planning and delivery of agricultural activities across target zones.
- Provide hands-on technical guidance on improved agronomic practices including land preparation, crop selection, soil fertility, irrigation, and integrated pest management.
- Support the establishment and monitoring of demonstration plots, farmer field schools (FFS), and kitchen gardens.
- Training and Capacity Building
- Facilitate community-based training sessions on climate-smart agriculture, crop diversification, post-harvest handling, and agro-enterprise.
- Work closely with community-based facilitators and lead farmers to ensure practical knowledge transfer.
- Input Distribution and Support
- Support the distribution and follow-up of seeds, tools, and agricultural inputs to registered beneficiaries.
- Monitor proper utilization of inputs and document feedback from farmers.
- Monitoring, Data Collection, and Reporting
- Regularly visit farming groups to collect data on yields, techniques used, challenges, and successes.
- Maintain accurate records of beneficiaries, training sessions, and progress against indicators.
- Contribute to weekly and monthly technical reports, success stories, and lessons learned.
- Community Engagement and Coordination
- Mobilize and organize farmer groups, cooperatives, and village savings groups into active agricultural units.
- Build strong relationships with local leaders, refugee welfare councils (RWCs), OPM, UNHCR, and other stakeholders.
- Represent ADRA at sectoral working group meetings as delegated.
- Integration with Other Sectors
- Collaborate with the Environment and Energy Assistants under the RISE Project to promote agroforestry, composting, and efficient land use.
- Support cross-sectoral integration with protection, nutrition, and education where applicable.
Qualifications and Experience:
- Diploma in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, or related field.
- Minimum of 1–2 years’ relevant field experience in agricultural extension work, preferably in refugee or humanitarian settings.
- Knowledge of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture approaches.
- Experience in working with vulnerable communities, especially women and youth, is highly desirable.
- Ability to speak local languages (Swahili, Kinyabwisha, Rutoro, Runyankore) is an added advantage.
- Strong interpersonal skills, team spirit, and cultural sensitivity.
Core Competencies:
- Community engagement and training facilitation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Data collection and reporting using digital or manual tools.
- High levels of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
- Flexibility to move across zones and field locations within the settlement
