Technical Field Officers (3 Positions)
Position Summary Expectations - Duties, Responsibilities
THE ROLES: To provide technical knowledge transfer to small scale farmers to promote profitable income and sustainable practices to integrate part of long term business strategy which acknowledges that farm and company income develops hand-in-hand.
- Demo plots with new and adapted technologies, field days, key farmers and training in vegetable production are the foundations of the technical inputs EWS-KT brings to the projects in the different areas. The project activities are conducted in collaboration with partners NGOs whenever possible. They are defined within project proposals with targets, numbers and quality:
- Setting Demonstration Plot:
- Identify villages in collaboration with NGO partner (if in place in the area)
- Select and coach key farmers with NGO partner (if collaboration in place)
- Provide regular technical advice to farmers on all aspects of vegetable production
- Share visit plan and practical training plan with Technical Program Supervisor, NGOs partner, Extension team in target province.
- Place demo and technical sign boards around the demonstration plots to inform other farmers of the current activity.
- Build up capacity of key farmer to train other farmers in the area or present activities and results - Learn with the key farmer using their practical expertise, set up trials within the demo plot, group key farmers to help them take decisions on improved vegetable production.
- Focus on improving farm management practices using EWS varieties or if not available for a specific crop from another seed company (to coordinate with Technical Working Group, Technical Program Supervisor and Manager)
- Assist demonstration farmers with the collection of farm data include cost and benefit
- Take photos of the demonstration plot at different growing stage
- Share farm record with famer, Technical Project Supervisor, technical working group, Partner, and Manager
- Conduct Farmer Training:
- Identify training needs per crop season of the different groups in villages (target or satellite)
- Plan training in collaboration with partner NGOs (if in place in the area)
- Share training plan with technical program supervisor and technical working group,and partner.
- Conduct short village training courses on vegetable production, as per project document
- Collect data for Technical project supervisor.
- Evaluate training and training materials in collaboration with NGO partner,Technical Program Supervisor and technical working group - Ensure participation of farmers in the training to increase learning.
- Distribute extension materials as crop guide, technical guide and other leaflets.
- Organize Field Days:
- Plan field days as soon as demonstration in place - field days can be organised at different crop stages.
- Share plan with partner NGO (if present), EWSC sales & marketing in place in this area, Technical Program Supervisor, technical working group.
- Advertise and inform community and stakeholders.
- Record information, observation from field days and follow up..
- Distribute extension materials.
- Technical point of contact for vegetable production and EWS varieties within the area of activities:
- Participate in events from EWSC sales & marketing on EWS varieties information (EWSC field day, PDS farms)
- Be proactive in keeping updates with new varieties, new techniques, new products on the local market
- Be proactive in setting trials in demonstration farms, record accordingly results. Prepare with Technical working group and Supervisor.
- Closely coordinate activities with input dealers and collectors and support them with technical information within the township.
- Coordinate with relevant partners
- Share extension materials
- Weekly collect fresh vegetable market at target area.
- Data collection in coordination with Program Officer and Project Coordinator:
- Baseline survey and knowledge acquisition with farmer
- Report accurate and timely farm record
- Record data for monitoring - training number of participants, field days participants
- Record observations, remarks that could be important in evaluating and managing activities
- Other tasks as assigned by Supervisor
- Diploma in agriculture or related field, BA a plus
- Ability to communicate with all levels particularly small holder farmers
- Technical competence in all aspects of crop management
- Able to lead training to disseminate technical knowledge
- Ability to transfer improved farm management practices through key farmers
- Able to build trust in farming communities
- Good time management and organisation skills
- Analysis of cost and return
- Able to coordinate with input dealer, collector and relevant partner
- Ability to solve problems(analytical thinking),share relevant information and solution
- Independent thinking, good and fast decision making
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in local language, English proficiency a plus
- Computer literacy a plus
- Willing and commitment on working at remote area, long travelling, and learning.
