USAID SCALING UP NUTRITION TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (SUN TA)

DISTRICT TECHNICAL OFFICER AGRICULTURE AND LIVELIHOOD (Grade 8)

1. Project Background:

The Scaling Up Nutrition Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia through the implementation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.  SUN TA provides support and direct technical assistance to sub-national local government departments in target districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two and improve the nutritional status of pregnant and lactating mothers. USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for the Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water, and sanitation services. The project prioritizes sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision-making and building the capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Purpose:

The District Technical Officer, Agriculture and Livelihoods, will work in close collaboration with the District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC),  and the relevant line ministries,  Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services to support the evidence-based nutrition-sensitive agriculture practices and financial inclusion interventions which are designed to contribute towards the reduction of stunting.  The DTO, Agriculture, and Livelihoods, will support the implementation of the district work plans and activities and improve district capacity in the areas of agriculture and livelihood.  The DTO Agriculture and Livelihoods will build capacity related to Good Agriculture Practices (GAP) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA). The DTO Agriculture and Livelihood will work closely with camp extension officers, livestock & veterinary officers, community development officers, and community-based volunteers (lead farmers, community facilitators & village chicken demonstration farmers) who implement SUN TA programs.

3. Place of Performance and Reporting:

The District Technical Officer will report directly to the District Manager and will be supported by national-level Technical Experts, Agriculture, and Livelihood Technical. The District Technical Officer will be based in districts to be assigned in the following three provinces Central, Luapula, and Northern with frequent (more than 80% of the time) travel in the assigned district.

Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Provide hands-on technical assistance and operational support to the DNCC and line ministries in the rollout of evidence-based agriculture-refocused interventions and livelihood interventions which have a strong correlation to the reduction of stunting.
• Promote and provide technical assistance in the areas of good agriculture practices, and climate-smart agriculture, and track project beneficiaries practicing good agriculture practices.
• Provide technical assistance to the DNCC and line ministries in the establishment and or formation of savings and loans groups to increase access to finance for investments and smoothening of household nutritious food consumption through increased incomes.
• Provide effective technical assistance on the agriculture interventions in tracking intended project beneficiaries through nutrition triggering sessions and rightful targeting.
• Facilitate effective field monitoring with implementing Ministries and provide technical sound on-site feedback to project t beneficiaries
• Serve as a liaison between district committees and other district stakeholders and the SUN TA program, ensuring smooth and efficient communication, positive relationship-building, and collaboration in the technical areas related to agriculture and livelihoods
• Conduct routine supportive supervision and quality control monitoring visits to sub-district levels (Wards, Health Care Facility Catchments, Zones, and Communities)
• Document and share project success stories and lessons learned,
• Support the collection of qualitative and quantitative data for program monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL)
• The DTO Agriculture and Livelihood will actively participate in data review meetings, track the performance of indicators against set targets and translate the data in the form it can be used to make informed decisions as well as how that is contributing to reducing stunting by 2% annually.
• Provide administrative support to the project such as organizing meetings, training, workshops, and other project events
• Any other duties as assigned by the District Manager and the Agriculture and Livelihood Expert
• Other duties as assigned.

5. Supervisory Responsibilities:

No direct supervisory responsibilities.

6. Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and 5 years of relevant work experience in one of the following areas: Agriculture agronomy/Animal Science, Agriculture economics/extension, Agribusiness, and Management, Food Science and Technology
• Proven (hands-on) experience in working with districts and sub-district structures to increase access to financial services for the rural using savings and loans group approaches
• Proven (hands-on) experience in working with district and sub-district structures to increase the production & productivity of nutritious crops and small livestock aligned to improving household dietary diversity via direct consumption and income.
• Strong communications skills and ability to collaborate effectively with district and sub-district partners
• Proven problem-solving skills and exceptional stakeholder relations with both internal and external parties including local or traditional leadership and community
• Well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, high ethical standards, and operational focus
• Fluency in English is required

7. Key Result Areas

• Coordinate activities with government line ministries
• Provide targeted SUN households and SUN beneficiaries with TA on establishing gardens, village chicken ventures
• Link all village chicken households to Sun mother support groups and community loan and savings groups
• Ensure mentored CSLG households achieve targeted levels of savings and monitor growth, diversified enterprises, and use of income for increased access and consumption of nutritious foods.
• Ensure health facilities establish demonstration gardens for targeted SMSGs
• Ensure effective data management
• Timely reporting and documenting of success stories
• Provide scheduled financial literacy training to vulnerable SUN households and link them to CSLGs
• Conduct joint supervision visits to wards, zones, and communities
• Ensure timely submission of reports to include a demonstration of change at individual, household, and community levels.
• Collection of qualitative and quantitative data for program monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL).
• Effective budget management

8. Key Competencies for the Role

INTELLECTUAL
INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION
TECHNICAL
LEADERSHIP
Problem solving
Ability to influence stakeholders
Written and verbal communication
Compliance
Coaching and mentoring
Negotiation skills
Cross cultural awareness

Planning and monitoring
Self -management
Planning ability
Networking skills