Agriculture Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

About our Organization

Orant Charities Africa (OCA) is a non-governmental organization serving in rural communities of Malawi. It was founded and registered as an NGO in Malawi in 2014. OCA serves in Malawi through healthcare and implementing development programs. It operates in the following thematic areas; Healthcare, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Education, Agriculture, Business Development, and Energy and Environment. We have the following vacancies available at Kasese – Dowa

Title: Agriculture Officer

Reports to: Agriculture Manager

Job summary

The Agriculture Officer is responsible for supporting agricultural development initiatives by providing technical advice, assessing agricultural projects, and ensuring that farmers and agribusinesses receive appropriate support. This role involves promoting sustainable farming practices, improving productivity, and assisting in the implementation of agricultural programs to benefit communities and stakeholders

The job holder is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities;

• Assist in providing expert advice on crop production, Agroecology practices, pest and disease management, soil fertility, irrigation practices, and other farming techniques.
• Visit farms regularly to monitor crops and farm practices and Identify problems such as poor crop yields, pests, diseases, and soil degradation, and recommend solutions.
• Assist in training farmers on modern farming techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Assist in encouraging practices like conservation agriculture, organic farming, crop rotation, agroforestry, and water conservation and help farmers adapt to the effects of climate change through the adoption of resilient farming techniques.
• Facilitating the formation of farmer groups, cooperatives, and associations to promote collective action and access to inputs, markets, and training.
• Assist in sharing research findings, new technologies, and market information with farmers.
• Assisting in the implementation of agricultural policies, projects, and programs at the local level and ensuring farmers comply with agricultural regulations, such as proper use of inputs like pesticides and fertilizers.
• Introducing farmers to improved seeds, fertilizers, equipment, and farming technologies and working with suppliers, agribusinesses, and research institutions to ensure that farmers have access to high-quality inputs.
• Collect data on crop production, adoption of new practices, and overall farm productivity and prepare and submit reports on the progress of agricultural projects, farmer adoption rates, and challenges faced in the field.
• Provide information on market prices, demand trends, and post-harvest management to help farmers increase income and assist in connecting farmers to potential buyers, processors, and other stakeholders along the agricultural value chain.
• Assist in identification and supporting lead farmers to act as models for others in their communities.
• Encourage the involvement of women, youth, and other marginalized groups in agricultural activities and promote gender responsive approaches in farming practices, decision-making, and resource access.
• Monitor the effectiveness of extension programs and the adoption of new technologies by farmers.

Qualifications

• Bachelors of science in Agriculture or Agriculture Extension
• Minimum of two years’ work experience

Application instructions:

Interested applicants should submit the following: Cover letter, CVs with three professional references, and copies of certificates, through the following email address: [email protected] . Please indicate in the email subject, which post you are applying for.

Applications may also be sent to Orant Charities Africa through the address below; The Country Director, Orant Charities Africa, P/Bag 365, Lilongwe.

Only short-listed applicants will be invited for interviews. No telephone inquiries.

Application deadline: 24th January, 2025.

OCA is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, sex, gender, religion, language, political or other opinion, age, disability, property, birth, marital or other status or family responsibilities unrelated to job requirements.