Position Title:                            Senior Program Assistant-Agronomy and livestock production

Reports To:                                Senior program Officer

Division:                                    CWS Africa

Department:                              Humanitarian and Development

Team:                                         Uganda

Job Location:                             Nakivale Setttlement; Isingiro; Uganda

Grade Level:                              4, National

Introduction:

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization transforming communities around

the globe through just and sustainable solutions to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster. CWS does

not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, gender identity, genetic information,

age, disability, or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

The position is responsible for the technical delivery of the seeds of self-resilience project, including the

establishment of demonstration plots, development of training materials, and conducting farmer training

sessions both at the demonstration centre and at the household level.

The project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and livelihoods by providing quality farming inputs,

strengthening extension services, and integrating value chain development and market linkages. In

addition, the project will deliver a cost-effective Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) training package to

participating farmers.

Adopting a practical “learning-by-doing” approach, the initiative will focus on climate-smart agriculture,

integrated pest management, soil conservation, and improved post-harvest handling. The program will also

equip farmers with essential agribusiness skills. By deliberately integrating these activities with CWS’s

existing food assistance and completed WASH projects, the intervention seeks to transition Nakivale’s

farmers from dependence on emergency aid to sustainable self-sufficiency and long-term livelihood

resilience.

Key relationships:

Internal to CWS

• Senior Program Officer
• Program director

 External

• Project Participants//Farmers/
• Refugee Welfare Council/Zonal Agricultural Research Development Institutes
• Local Government Extension Officers.
• Lead Farmers/livestock farmers.
• Settlement Livelihoods Working Group

Working Environment

• Frequent travel to the field is required.

Community organization

• Identify and profile farmers
• Ensure farmers are organized into farmer groups
• Train in group dynamics and leadership skills

Agronomy & Crop Management

• Demonstration Plots: Design, set up, and manage demonstration plots to showcase innovative agronomic practices.
• Field Monitoring: Monitor crop growth, health, and development, including scouting for pests and diseases, and recommending integrated pest management (IPM) strategies.
• Soil and Input Management: Analyze soil samples (pH, nutrients) and advise on fertilization programs and optimal seed varieties.
• Climate-Smart Agriculture: Promote techniques to combat climate change, such as efficient irrigation and drought-resistant farming.
• Weather Information: Advise and communicate with farmers on weather information to guide the on planting and managing their crops

Livestock Production Assistance

• Demonstrations: Carry out practical demonstrations regarding animal feeding systems, health management, and improved breeding techniques.
• Herd Management: Assist with livestock record-keeping (production, breeding, feeding) for gross margin analysis and planning.
• Facility Management: Advise farmers on the construction of farm structures (sheds, troughs) and equipment maintenance.
• Input Support: Collect samples of livestock feed and animal products for analysis. 
• Para-veterinary: Establish extension services, train the para-veterinarians and supervise them

Training and Extension Services

• Farmer Advisory: Conduct field visits to train farmers on good agricultural practices (GAPs) for both crops and livestock.
• Lead Farmers- Train the lead farmers, mentor and supervise their work
• Capacity Building: Organize and facilitate farmer field days, group trainings to disseminate modern technologies.
• Marketing & Linkages: Help farmers create market linkages and improve post-harvest handling of both crop and livestock products. 

Representation/Engagement 

• Promote the positive image of CWS, ensuring visibility and recognition among relevant stakeholders.

 Monitoring and Evaluation

• Anticipate and address issues to ensure timely delivery of services.
• Participate in the field monitoring and data collection visits; analyze data collected; and identify project results and lessons learned.
• Collect and analyse data on crop yields and livestock performance.
• Conduct farm visits to assess and determine adoption or transfer of technologies at household levels to offer practical solutions to technical problems they may be facing.

 Compliance 

• Prepare written weekly reports that reflect outputs and challenges encountered as well as develop weekly and monthly plans.
• Identify and resolve quality issues across project implementation.
• Safeguard rules and process integrity through oversight review of project transactions on an ongoing basis.

Additional roles and responsibilities

• Any other duties as assigned.

Experience:

• A minimum of 4 years of paid work experience working with farmer groups and mentorship of lead farmers required.
• Facilitation of Trainers of Trainers (TOT)
• Training on vegetable production including keyhole kitchen gardening and knowledge on indigenous vegetables
• Training in livestock production including knowledge of animal diseases
• Agricultural/food security project implementation experience is required.
• Extensive knowledge of GLOBALGAP and other related national and international food security protocols required.
• Knowledge/experience working with donor funds is advantageous.
• Possessing valid driving/riding License.

Skills:

• Familiar with program cycle management approaches and tools – including participatory planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Post harvest management and seed banking
• Good knowledge of approaches to sustainable development and humanitarian programs including community resilience building.
• Proven rapid needs assessment skills.
• Participatory training and facilitation skills
• Computer application skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and intercultural skills.
•  

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from a reputable institution and two years of experience or a higher diploma with five years of experience is required. Key areas of study include general agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, agricultural education, livestock production and extension. Experience in indigenous vegetable production is an added asset.

Abilities:

• Ability to monitor, analyze, consult and report on program services,
• Able to work and stay in Nakivale Settlement, a remote workstation.
• Design, coordinate and implement medium scale food security programs.
• Maintain strict confidentiality with CWS Africa administrative and operational information.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse staff and populations and variety of stakeholders and audiences.
• Ability to work independently as well as to function effectively and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Take instructions, great attention to details, quality, and standards control.
• Can work in a team and or lead a team to deliver expected outcomes.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Conduct oneself in a professional and courteous manner and represent a positive image of CWS.
• Effectively manage CWS Africa’s resources.

Important Requirements:

• Strong English communication skills, both written and oral.
• Ability to speak at least one indigenous language spoken by the refugee committees is an added advantage
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment required.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS’ Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.
• Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding and PSEAH (Prevention of Sexual, Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment) risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding PSEAH practices, understand the child safeguarding and PSEAH Policies and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding and PSEAH Policies.

• The candidate should be in good health, willing and able to travel extensively in often difficult conditions and have a high degree of flexibility. Must have proof of Yellow Fever vaccination before traveling for RSC Africa.
• This position is based in Nakivale Settlement in Uganda
• This position always requires the use of laptops; competence in Microsoft Office packages is required.
• This position may require travel in sub-Saharan Africa on short notice and under sometimes difficult conditions to meet the demands of a dynamic operational program.
• A background check which includes references, and an educational and criminal check is required before the start of employment for international applicants.
• A valid passport and the ability to maintain a valid passport throughout the entire appointment is required, which includes having enough passport pages for travel.
• Environmental: Incumbents in this position will be exposed to excessive noise, marked changes in temperature and/or humidity, dust and infectious diseases, harsh weather climates, long work hours, bumpy roads, extended travel, excessive sun exposure, and non-ventilated spaces.
• The US Embassy currently rates Uganda as both HIGH in crime and HIGH in terrorism. Incumbents should fully understand the insecurities present within Uganda and the region.
• This position is Full time and contractual over a period of three months.
• All employees should be prepared to work among the community within their location of hire.