Agricultural Extension Assistant

Background: The Advancing Food Systems and Nutrition (Local Translation: Avansa Sistema Aihan no Nutrisaun – or Avansa SAN) project is a five-year cooperative agreement funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by NCBA CLUSA in partnership with Cooperativa Café Timor (CCT) and Hamutuk Ita Ajuda Malu (HIAM) Health. Through Avansa SAN, NCBA CLUSA and its partners will strengthen the country’s food systems by increasing the availability, access, affordability, desirability, and consumption of healthy diets that are safe, diverse, and made up of nutritious foods, particularly for women and children.

To achieve this goal, the Avansa SAN project will focus on five inter-related activities that will provide the channel to deliver long-term, systemic changes in Timor -Leste’s food system resulting in improved nutritional status.  The following five inter-related activities will be successfully implemented across four target municipalities (Emera, Aileu, Ainaro, and Dili) to deliver the above results:

1. Climate Smart Nutritious Agricultural Production and Productivity Enhancement
2. Food Environment Strengthening
3. Water Resources and Management Improvement
4. Household Diets Diversification Improvement
5. Women and Children’s Diet Improvement esp. during First 1000 days

In addition, several systemic and cross-sectoral topics critical to Avansa SAN success including gender and youth, information and communication technology, private sector engagement, access to financial services, and climate change will be addressed. The project will also utilize NCBA CLUSA’s global network of business communities and research institutions to mobilize volunteers through the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) program. The F2F volunteers will support all activities under Avansa SAN, covering topics such as horticulture, integrated pest management, composting, maternal/child health, agroecology, CSA, and water management, among others to address the improvement of agricultural productivity and enhance nutritious agricultural products.

Scope and Purpose: Under the guidance of the Municipality Coordinator, the Agricultural Extension Assistant (AEA) will work directly with farmers to ensure knowledge and skills are transferred and their farming practices are improved to increase agricultural productivity and production.  Based on the training received through the project, the AEA will in turn conduct a series of farmer training on good farming practices, develop demonstration plots, organize farmer field schools, field days, manage trials, develop crop diversification plans, and promote good soil fertility practices. The AEA will also ensure the scaling of improved varieties through extension support and services provided to farmers in farmer groups. The AEA will support the development and refinement of the technical delivery mechanisms to encourage farmers and producers to adopt technologies and innovations using a variety of methods supported by Avansa SAN. 

Job functions may include:

• Work with the municipality coordinator to develop action plans and production plans to carry out training and technical support for farmers to improve their agricultural productivity and production.
• Identify and form farmer groups, where none exist.
• Work with farmer groups to identify lead farmer from each farmer group. 
• Mobilize farmers to implement their agricultural activities effectively.
• Prepare work schedule or extension events in coordination with project technical team.
• Organize TOTs, farmer field schools, field days, for the beneficiaries in the local communities to promote sustainable agricultural production practices and nutrition practices and innovations.
• Provide agricultural extension and services to farmers on a regular basis as per the work plan. This includes assisting farmers to diagnose farm related problems and challenges with suggestions of appropriate solutions.
• Assist Municipality Coordinator in collecting data as required.
• Train farmers to keep good records for their crops and monitor the practices.
• Prepare operational plan for extension activity and monthly report.
• Work with the technical team to develop effective extension materials such as technical leaflets, training manuals and other similar products.
• Perform other related tasks as may be assigned from the management and technical teams.

Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in agriculture, horticulture, or a related field.
• Experience in technical issues related to agriculture development.

- Good understanding of agricultural management practices.

- Experience working with agricultural extension entities or projects, preferred.

- At least 2 years of relevant, professional experience in roles with similar responsibilities.

• Good written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of agricultural extension and conducting monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Advanced computer skills, in particular advanced use of MS Office
• Experience with USAID development programs, preferred.

If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit a resume and cover letter to: [email protected] by COB April 13, 2024.