Entomologist

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that was established in 195

• It operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on providing assistance to refugees and displaced persons. The organization aims to promote durable solutions for refugees and displaced populations, ensuring their rights and dignity are upheld. DRC has a significant presence in various regions, working with local communities to enhance resilience and improve living conditions. The organization employs thousands of staff members globally, dedicated to its mission of supporting vulnerable populations and advocating for their needs.

Job Overview:
The Entomologist position is a critical role within the Danish Refugee Council, specifically aimed at supporting the implementation of beneficial insect value chains under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project. This project is particularly focused on refugee settlements, where the Entomologist will play a vital role in training and mentoring farmer groups in the rearing of Black Soldier Flies and beekeeping. The position emphasizes the establishment of insect production units, the improvement of climate-smart animal feed systems, and the promotion of beneficial insect technologies. The Entomologist will collaborate closely with district authorities, settlement leadership, and community-based facilitators to enhance insect value chain enterprises, ultimately contributing to improved security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, increased income, and enhanced resilience for targeted households. The role is conditional upon securing funding for the project, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness in achieving project goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Entomologist will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties aimed at enhancing the productivity and sustainability of insect value chains. Key responsibilities include:

• Providing technical training to farmer groups on Black Soldier Fly rearing, covering essential topics such as site selection, organic waste management, larvae production, harvesting, and processing.
• Supporting beneficiaries in establishing and managing beekeeping units, which includes hive management, honey production, and pollination services.
• Ensuring that all training adheres to the approved curriculum from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, utilizing Farmer Field Schools and participatory methods for effective learning.
• Assisting in the setup and maintenance of demonstration sites for Black Soldier Fly and beekeeping enterprises across operational zones.
• Offering continuous mentoring and follow-up to farmer groups and lead farmers to enhance productivity, quality control, and safe handling practices.
• Promoting the integration of Black Soldier Fly into livestock feeding systems, including support for feed formulation using locally available materials.
• Ensuring that insect value chain activities align with climate-smart agriculture principles and sustainable-land-management" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">sustainable land management practices.
• Supporting the development of inclusive farmer groups and contributing to strengthening organizational capacity under the Farmer Institutional Development model.
• Collecting and maintaining accurate data on production, adoption rates, input use, and enterprise performance using project-approved tools. 1
• Raising awareness about grievance redress at the community level and ensuring compliance with environmental and social safeguards in insect value chain activities. 1
• Participating in joint supervision and monitoring missions with district authorities, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries. 1
• Providing timely inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, including geo-referenced photos and progress data related to the insect value chain.

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for the Entomologist position, candidates must meet several essential qualifications. Required qualifications include:

• A Bachelor's degree in Entomology, Zoology, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in entomology, apiculture, Black Soldier Fly rearing, or related insect production systems.
• Proven experience in training smallholder farmers in Black Soldier Fly or beekeeping, preferably in refugee hosting or rural settings.
• Practical knowledge of organic waste processing, larvae management, hive management, and pollination techniques.
• Experience in implementing climate-smart agriculture or sustainable land management interventions.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively with farmer groups, Farmer Field Schools, and community facilitators.
• Experience in collecting field data, monitoring enterprise performance, and reporting results.
• Knowledge of environmental safeguards, safe handling practices, and risk mitigation strategies related to insect production.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the Entomologist position must possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as Entomology, Zoology, Agriculture, Biological Sciences, or a closely related discipline. This educational background is crucial as it provides the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding insect biology, ecology, and the practical applications of entomology in agricultural settings. Additional training or certifications in specialized areas such as Black Soldier Fly production, apiculture, or climate-smart agriculture would be considered an asset and enhance a candidate's suitability for the role.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in fields such as entomology, apiculture, Black Soldier Fly rearing, or related insect production systems. This level of experience is essential to ensure that the candidate possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively train and mentor farmer groups, implement sustainable agricultural practices, and contribute to the overall success of the insect value chain initiatives. Experience in working within refugee hosting or rural settings is particularly valuable, as it demonstrates the candidate's ability to navigate the unique challenges and dynamics present in these environments.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is crucial for training, mentoring, and reporting. Additionally, knowledge of local languages spoken in refugee settlements is considered an asset, as it can facilitate better engagement with community members and enhance the effectiveness of training and support provided to farmer groups.

Additional Notes:
The Entomologist position is designated for duty in refugee settlements in Uganda, with specific district assignments depending on the project requirements. The salary and conditions of employment will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees, which can be referenced on their official website. The application process requires all applicants to upload a cover letter and an updated CV, not exceeding four pages, in English. Applications submitted via email will not be considered. The closing date for applications is set for 09th January 202

• It is important to note that DRC does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment process, and all recruitment is merit-based, adhering to globally accepted HR best practices. Candidates are advised to disregard any solicitations for payment of fees during the recruitment process.