Agricultural Extension Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to support the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, particularly in the context of climate change and the need for sustainable development.

Job Overview:
The Agricultural Extension Officer will play a crucial role in the implementation of the EU-funded Oil Palm Value Chain Improvement Project in Sierra Leone. This position involves supporting field-level implementation, community mobilization, and extension services. The officer will be responsible for ensuring effective rollout of Farmer Field Schools (FFS), strong community engagement, proper identification and mobilization of beneficiaries, and compliance with project Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safeguards. The role requires close coordination with various stakeholders, including District Agriculture Officers, Implementing Partners, and community members, to achieve the project's objectives of improving agricultural practices and enhancing the livelihoods of approximately 43,000 farm families across targeted districts.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agricultural Extension Officer will have a wide range of duties and responsibilities, including:

• Community Mobilization and Engagement: Identify and mobilize target communities and beneficiaries based on project criteria; facilitate inclusive community consultations ensuring participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups; conduct sensitization campaigns on project objectives and benefits; support participatory rural assessments for needs identification.
• Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and Capacity Building: Identify and support the establishment of FFS sites in collaboration with Implementing Partners and District Agriculture Officers; supervise and guide FFS facilitators in training delivery; ensure timely implementation of FFS activities and curricula; support the formation and strengthening of farmer groups and cooperatives.
• Coordination of Implementing Partners: Facilitate coordination between Implementing Partners, District Agriculture Officers, and communities; monitor partner activities and ensure alignment with project plans; provide regular feedback to the Project Lead on field performance; ensure timely implementation of partner-led activities.
• Nursery Establishment and Input Distribution: Support the identification of suitable nursery sites; coordinate the establishment of nurseries and seedling distribution; oversee the distribution of inputs and ensure proper beneficiary targeting; maintain accurate records of input distribution.
• Monitoring, Reporting, and Documentation: Prepare bi-weekly field reports on progress, challenges, and recommendations; maintain updated records of beneficiaries, FFS activities, and input distribution; ensure proper documentation of attendance, minutes, reports, and photos; support data collection and validation with the Monitoring and Evaluation team.
• Compliance, Safeguards, and SOPs: Ensure adherence to FAO project SOPs and donor requirements; promote transparency and accountability in field operations; support grievance redress mechanisms and documentation of complaints; ensure all field activities are properly documented and audit-ready.
• Dispute Resolution and Stakeholder Engagement: Work with District Agriculture Officers and local authorities to ensure land used is dispute-free; support the resolution of community-level disputes related to project activities; maintain records of disputes and resolutions; facilitate stakeholder engagement at the district level.
• Visibility and Communication: Support awareness and visibility campaigns at the community level; ensure project visibility in line with FAO and EU requirements; document success stories and field achievements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Social Sciences, or a related field. Additionally, a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural extension, community mobilization, or tree crop projects is required. Candidates must also have a working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and must be nationals of Sierra Leone.

Educational Background:
The position requires a university degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, or Social Sciences. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively implement agricultural extension programs and engage with farming communities.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agricultural extension, community mobilization, or tree crop projects. This experience should include working directly with farming communities, implementing agricultural programs, and coordinating with various stakeholders to achieve project goals. Familiarity with the local agricultural context and previous experience in similar roles will be highly advantageous.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the working language of the organization. Knowledge of local languages spoken in the project areas may also be beneficial, as it can enhance communication and engagement with community members.

Additional Notes:
The position is subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates are advised that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.