SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

For more information on our operations in Zambia visit our website: www.snv.org/zambia.

Enhancing Livelihoods & Smallholder Agricultural Markets project (ELSAM).

SNV, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP), is implementing the Enhancing Livelihoods & Smallholder Agricultural Markets (ELSAM) project. The project aims to increase the participation of smallholder farmers, particularly women and youth farmers, in market-integrated, environmentally sustainable, resilient, low-carbon, circular, and nutrition-sensitive. The following are the specific objectives of the project:

1. To increase the adoption of climate-sensitive and sustainable agroecological intensification practices, including regenerative agriculture practices and innovative production technologies and systems among targeted smallholder farmers using agribusiness approaches to build resilience, reduce environmental degradation, and protect biodiversity.

2. To increase financial inclusion among smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, to enhance access to affordable financing, productive inputs and services, and participation in agribusiness along the agri-food value chains, contributing to diversified livelihoods and decent jobs.

3. To enhance access to predictable and equitable markets for smallholder farmers leveraging innovative and transformative tools and systems such as digital platforms, private sector-led aggregation networks, as well as networks and market systems targeting nutrition-sensitive value chains to enable resilience and household nutrition.

4. To increase knowledge and adoption of transformative and innovative technologies for agro-processing, value addition, food preservation, and post-harvest management for locally produced foods, promote the adoption of optimal nutrition knowledge and dietary practices, to increase economic efficiency, and opportunities for inclusive participation and incomes.

Overview of position:

As a field officer for the Enhancing Livelihoods & Smallholder Agricultural Markets (ELSAM) project, you will play a crucial role in implementing and coordinating project activities at the grassroots level. Your responsibilities will include working closely with smallholder farmers, especially women and youth farmers, to promote sustainable agricultural practices, enhance market access, and facilitate the adoption of innovative technologies.

Job Description

• Work with Camp agriculture officers, Camp Agriculture Committees and lead farmers to mobilize and engage farmers through community farmers’ meetings.
• Work with stakeholders including WFP and SNV officers in organizing and conducting training workshops for smallholder farmers on climate-sensitive and sustainable agroecological intensification practices, such as regenerative agriculture techniques and innovative production technologies including post-harvest handling.
• Working with stakeholders in Identifying and executing opportunities for knowledge and technology transfer to smallholder farmers to facilitate the adoption of sustainable agroecological practices.
• Collaborating with partners at the district level, including the District Commissioner, District Education Board Secretary, District Development Coordinating Committees (DDCC), District Agriculture Coordinator(DACOs), traditional leaders, and the local authority and lead farmers to engage the community and disseminate weather information.
• Identifying local value chain actors and private sector companies such as input suppliers, producers, distributors, offtakes, and processors for promoting collaboration with local farmers.
• Working with WFP and SNV Monitoring and evaluating Specialists to monitor field activities within the framework of the ELSAM project.
• Collaborating with the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) and schools to implement school feeding programs and working with schools and health centres to implement sensitization activities on nutrition.
• In collaboration with Financial inclusion specialists from WFP and SNV, participate in organizing and implementing financial inclusion training and the formation the savings groups using the Savings for Change model.
• Facilitating partnerships with input suppliers and service providers to ensure smallholder farmers have access to affordable and high-quality productive inputs and services, while also promoting the use of Markets and the digital platform “MAANO” to provide farmers with access to information and resources.
• Working with communities to establish private sector-led aggregation networks to facilitate collective bargaining and access to larger markets for smallholder farmers.
• Conducting training and workshops for smallholder farmers on utilizing digital tools and participating in private sector-led aggregation networks to improve their market access and understanding of equitable market practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum Bachelors in areas in agriculture, agribusiness, rural development, or related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications. 4+ years of demonstratable relevant experience.
• Must be a Registered Member of the Agriculture Institute of Zambia with A Valid Member Certificate.
• Must have a valid Motorcycle license ‘‘Class A’’ issued by the Road Transport and Safety Agency, Knowledge of first aid, a clean cycling record, physical fitness, knowledge of traffic laws and prior cycling experience.

Additional information

Knowledge and Experience:

• Minimum of 4 years’ experience in implementing similar activities related to agriculture.
• Experience in understanding agriculture-related approaches including Climate Smart Agriculture.
• Experience working with value chain actors including input suppliers, growers, processors, bulkers, distributors and offtakes.
• Demonstratable experience in business skills, gender equality social inclusion and youth empowerment and entrepreneurship programming.
• Understanding of digital financial services, Savings and lending Schemes

Location

Rufunsa /Luangwa X1

Chikankata /Kafue X1

Chibombo/Mumbwa/Serenje X1

Closing date: 8th November 2024

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for national determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment as well as Fraud), the “Statement of Conduct”. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.