Job Opportunity| Agricultural Extension:  Innovation and Outreach| African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)

Agriculture & Foods Job Opportunity| Agricultural Extension: Innovation and Outreach| African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)

Deadline: 07 April 2023

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is seeking to recruit the Agricultural Extension Specialist – Innovation and Outreach, who shall be responsible for building and managing strategic partnerships and relationships and in the execution of collaborative and integrated research, Extension, outreach, innovations and program in National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) for sustainable development and growth of AFAAS and its Networks.

Specifically the role will include:

  • Providing support and backstopping to Country Fora (CF) Regional Fora (RF) and the AFAAS network generally as the outreach arms of AFAAS;
  • Develop and implement a donor intelligence system and collaboration, maintain donor relations and contribute to resource mobilization for the growth of AFAAS networks
  • Provide relevant technical leadership in various AEAS studies and initiatives through collaborative arrangements and/or multi-disciplinary teams for improved AEAS;
  1. Duties And Responsibilities
  1. Providing support and technical backstopping to AFAAS Networks for innovations and outreach of AFAAS;
  • Developing and/or operationalizing policies and plans aimed at mainstreaming AEAS and gender, CSA, digitalization, nutrition initiatives at all levels and while addressing disparities within the agriculture sector;
  • Provide technical advice on design elements to strengthen and reform and modernization of  extension and advisory systems by integrating, among others, digital extension services;
  • Coordinate the participation of continental, regional and national organizations in foresight initiatives and the appropriate application of results from past and ongoing foresight initiatives;
  • Lead the processes and initiatives of scaling up and out of good practices and Agricultural innovations within AFAAS and its networks;
  • Responsible for capacity development and technical assistance at the Secretariat, RF and CFs levels for all related technical, policy and foresight activities;
  • Contribute to technical backstopping and ensure the high quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities, including learning events;
  1. Support the development and management of collaborative initiatives and strategic partnerships with various organizations in implementing innovative approaches and outreach activities;
  • Maintain networks of collaboration with institutions and technical experts to gather information and promote and improve extension and advisory service delivery;
  • Ensure collaboration with Continental, Regional and National organizations in foresight initiatives and adopt/apply results appropriately for better AEAS delivery;
  • Coordinate the development and promotion of guidelines for inclusion of relevant climate STI indicators in NAIPs, for use by National, Regional and Continental institutions;
  1. Supporting resource mobilization by developing and implementing a donor intelligence system, proposals and support in maintaining donor relations for growth of AFAAS networks at all levels.
  • Contribute to designing and developing strategic initiatives in resource mobilization, which includes: undertaking donor intelligence; development and management of strategic partnerships and collaborative processes with different stakeholders at international, regional and national levels, for the implementation of the AFAAS MTOP;
  • Contribute to initiatives in resource mobilisation through proposal writing, organising resource mobilisation drives at AFAAS Secretariat and CF level;
  1. Provide relevant technical leadership in various AEAS studies and initiatives through collaborative arrangements and/or multi-disciplinary teams for improved AEAS;
  • Provide support in the adoption and application of practical and innovative solutions to challenges facing AEAS based on lessons learnt and best practices (use of technical workshops, consultations, seminars and training sessions);
  • Contribute to the preparation of studies, position papers, policy briefs and conceptual frameworks that strengthen extension systems and agriculture innovation systems;
  • Contribute to production of AFAAS wide technical and project-based reports, assessments and analyses to inform the relevant target.
  1. Qualifications And Experience

The following set of competencies and qualifications will form the basis for selection

  • Minimum of a Master’s degree in Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fields. PhD in Agricultural Extension or field is an added advantage;
  • A bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences – Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, Rural Innovations or related field;
  • Post Graduate Qualifications in Project planning and Management is preferable;
  • Minimum of Five (5) years of relevant experience in facilitating projects and partnerships involving agrifood Research & Innovation systems, including experience in project management, Monitoring & Evaluation and knowledge management;
  • Proven track record on leadership/management experience in policy and practice in Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, including Systems, approaches, methods and tools;
  • Deep knowledge of the external environment, particularly in terms of priorities, programme and expectations from the various stakeholders such as policymakers, regional and international institutions, and donors;
  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience in facilitating partnerships/collective actions with agri-food actors including farmers and farmers’ organizations;
  • Experience in resource mobilization for international non-profit organization, including experience in scouting for funding, grant proposal writing and reporting;
  • Familiarity with the management of donor-funded development projects, including contract management;
  • Relevant experience in knowledge and information dissemination in multi-stakeholder projects and building participatory knowledge bases for scaling up and out;
  • Ability to facilitate and work effectively with a diverse team of people and organizations;
  • Excellent written, and oral communication skills in English (knowledge of French is an asset);
  • Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
  1. Applications
  • Qualified candidates are invited to submit via email comprehensive Curriculum Vitae together with a motivation letter and names/contact details of three referees to: [email protected];
  • Applications will be assessed against the required skills, experience and aptitude test set based on the attributes highlighted in 3 above.
  • Applications will be accepted up to Friday, 7th April, 2023 at 5.00 p.m.
  • Due to anticipated high volume of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
  • AFAAS Affirmative Action Statement on Employment: there is no discrimination on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnic orientation, disability or health status.

IV. Key Information

Position: Agricultural Extension: – Innovation and Outreach
Reportinng: Agricultural Extension, Innovation and Outreach reports to the Director Programmes
Primary Location: AFAAS Secretarait Kampala
Job Type : Full time
Duration : Two years ( Renewable based on performance and funding avaibility)

V. About AFAAS

African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is a Continental body that brings National Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) stakeholders under one umbrella. The AFAAS’ goal is to enhance utilization of improved knowledge and innovations by agricultural value chain actors for improving productivity oriented towards their individual and national development objectives. AFAAS 2018-2027 strategy focuses on three pillars namely: (i) strengthening and expanding network and knowledge management capacities. (ii) developing capacities for scaling out technologies and innovations (iii) facilitating advancement of AEAS. AFAAS aspires to champion thought leadership in AEAS in Africa.

Subscribe to our maillist

* indicates required