KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
Programme Design and Oversight:
- Lead design and oversee the implementation of agroforestry systems, such as indigenous forestry integration, fruit trees, hedgerows, companion planting tailored to local needs.
- Provide technical guidance on sustainable land management techniques, including terracing, alley cropping, and erosion control measures.
- Advise on the cultivation of food crops including vegetables crops with climate-smart thinking and action.
- Establish frameworks for monitoring food crops and agroforestry systems to ensure adherence to climate-smart principles and carbon credit methodological requirements.
- Work with project stakeholders to ensure they are inclusive in crop farming approaches that support small holder farmers.
- Provide technical advice on agricultural related program/project design at CO level.
- Support donor engagement and other related strategic engagement at CO level
- Performs other duties as assigned by the line manager
Capacity Building and Collaboration:
- Facilitate training sessions and workshops for farmers on agroforestry practices, focusing on native and high-value tree species.
- Facilitate training sessions and workshops on monitoring, verification and reporting for carbon credit processes.
- Engage with local farmer cooperatives, government agencies, and community organizations to build partnerships and foster collaboration.
- Collaborating with the project staffs, provide technical support and liaise with the staffs of relevant government partners and research organizations in the areas of agriculture.
- Provide training on climate smart crop production for project beneficiaries including sensitizing of climate change and its adaptation
- Develop training manuals and other knowledge products relevant to climate-smart crop production and agroforestry.
Advisory Services and Recommendations:
- Provide expertise in tree species selection and agroforestry design to maximize ecosystem and economic benefits.
- Advise on risk mitigation strategies for issues such as land degradation, soil erosion, and human-wildlife conflicts.
- Deliver recommendations to enhance programme scalability and sustainability.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation:
- Implement tools for tracking programme outcomes, including carbon sequestration, improved farmer incomes, and enhanced biodiversity.
- Compile progress reports with actionable insights and present them to key stakeholders.
- Lead studies, assessments, documentation of best practices/lessons and activities related to climate smart crop production.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- BSc in Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop sciences, Extension and other related disciplines, MSc in Agronomy preferred.
- At least 10 years of practical work experience in rural development particularly in diversified livelihood and participatory research approaches
- Demonstrates good understanding of the Village Based Advisor (VBA) business model.
- Demonstrated consultancy experience in designing and executing agroforestry or sustainable land management projects.
- Knowledge of the agriculture development & policy environment in Kenya
- Strong expertise in climate-smart agricultural practices and working knowledge of Kenya’s rural farming systems.
- Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.