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Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology
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BACKGROUND
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A LOCALLY RECRUITED POSITION
BACKGROUND;
IUCN has a long history of engagement on agriculture themes, responding to 110 resolutions and 67 recommendations on agriculture and food. Agriculture is the leading driver of global land-use change and its intensification and inputs have generated environmental hazards, including pollution, decline in pollinators’ population and land degradation. There has been increasing interest within IUCN to support sustainable agriculture as a means to halt degradation in productive landscapes beyond agroforestry promotion.
In order to begin a more systematic engagement with agriculture, and establish a coherent platform on which to build its credentials and have long-term influence, IUCN has reconstituted the Forest Landscape and Livelihood (FLL) programme into Land Systems gathering forests, drylands, and conservation agriculture programmatic areas. IUCN has therefore elaborated a programmatic approach on agriculture that aims to restore and conserve biodiversity on farms and in agricultural landscapes as nature-based solutions to global challenges and societal needs, contributing to the transition towards sustainable and resilient societies.
In this regard, IUCN Rwanda office is implementing several projects under Sustainable Agriculture and land health portifolio including EU funded DeSIRA (Development of Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture) Projects for Agroforestry Research; and sustainable land-soil-crop (LSC) hub information services as well as IKEA funded project to accelerate the global transition to sustainable agriculture through Nature based solutions approach.
Under this background, the entire portfolio of intervention has the following major objectives:
1.Main objective is to increase the pace and scale of agroforestry-based restoration of degraded agricultural land and sustainable use of biomass energy, with associated improvements of land health, livelihoods and poverty reduction;
2.Secondly, it is to accelerate action for mainstreaming land health in sustainable agriculture, as a Nature based Solution to food and water insecurity, climate change and other societal challenges;
3.Finally, It also contributes to increased agricultural productivity and farm income, especially for small-scale farmers (male and female) basedon agro-ecological and regenerative practices, climate-resilient and sustainable food production and through development/use of LSC hub information services.
To implement portifolio objectives, IUCN wants to recruit a Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology who will be supporting the implementation of research and development projects working in Rwanda on Sustainable agriculture under supervision of the Regional Programme Officer, Sustainable Agriculture. IUCN is seeking a high performing and experienced candidate with knowledge in agroforestry systems, regenerative Agriculture, Plant and livestock production systems, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management.
BACKGROUND;
IUCN has a long history of engagement on agriculture themes, responding to 110 resolutions and 67 recommendations on agriculture and food. Agriculture is the leading driver of global land-use change and its intensification and inputs have generated environmental hazards, including pollution, decline in pollinators’ population and land degradation. There has been increasing interest within IUCN to support sustainable agriculture as a means to halt degradation in productive landscapes beyond agroforestry promotion.
In order to begin a more systematic engagement with agriculture, and establish a coherent platform on which to build its credentials and have long-term influence, IUCN has reconstituted the Forest Landscape and Livelihood (FLL) programme into Land Systems gathering forests, drylands, and conservation agriculture programmatic areas. IUCN has therefore elaborated a programmatic approach on agriculture that aims to restore and conserve biodiversity on farms and in agricultural landscapes as nature-based solutions to global challenges and societal needs, contributing to the transition towards sustainable and resilient societies.
In this regard, IUCN Rwanda office is implementing several projects under Sustainable Agriculture and land health portifolio including EU funded DeSIRA (Development of Smart Innovation through Research in Agriculture) Projects for Agroforestry Research; and sustainable land-soil-crop (LSC) hub information services as well as IKEA funded project to accelerate the global transition to sustainable agriculture through Nature based solutions approach.
Under this background, the entire portfolio of intervention has the following major objectives:
1.Main objective is to increase the pace and scale of agroforestry-based restoration of degraded agricultural land and sustainable use of biomass energy, with associated improvements of land health, livelihoods and poverty reduction;
2.Secondly, it is to accelerate action for mainstreaming land health in sustainable agriculture, as a Nature based Solution to food and water insecurity, climate change and other societal challenges;
3.Finally, It also contributes to increased agricultural productivity and farm income, especially for small-scale farmers (male and female) basedon agro-ecological and regenerative practices, climate-resilient and sustainable food production and through development/use of LSC hub information services.
To implement portifolio objectives, IUCN wants to recruit a Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology who will be supporting the implementation of research and development projects working in Rwanda on Sustainable agriculture under supervision of the Regional Programme Officer, Sustainable Agriculture. IUCN is seeking a high performing and experienced candidate with knowledge in agroforestry systems, regenerative Agriculture, Plant and livestock production systems, and Integrated Soil Fertility Management.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES;
The major task of the Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology is to support the implementation of project research and development activities under the portfolio of DeSIRA agroforestry in action in the Eastern province of Rwanda with the timely and quality delivery of field-related work, data analysis and reporting. In addition, he will also play roles in supporting other ongoing and new initiatives under Sustainable Agriculture portfolio including DeSIRA LSC hub development, among others. The incumbent will be located in the IUCN Rwanda, Kigali office with frequent travel to the field.
DUTIES;
Under the direct guidance of, and working closely with, the relevant Project Manager, the specific responsibilities of the Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology will be:
Assist the project Manager in the implementation of DESIRA Agroforestry, LSC and other related activities under FLR and sustainable Agriculture portifolio;
Assist the Project Manager to maintain good collaboration between DESIRA project partners and stakeholders including ENABEL, ICRAF, UGent, KUL and Districts;
Responsible for establishing, monitoring supervising research experiments on agroforestry systems, and agricultural landscape functional biodiversity in the Eastern Province;
Conduct sample and data management, and reporting for agroforestry biodiversity, soil and crop production assessment;
Through active participation with partners and stakeholders, assist in the development of annual, quarterly and monthly intervention and reporting plans;
Suppport to organize trainings, meetings, workshops and other events for partners, and stakeholders in line with projects implementation;
Support the establishment, organization, and training of local community groups in promoting agroforestry systems, land health, sustainable agriculture, and climate smart technologies;
Support the natural regeneration and enrichment plantation of biodiversity-supportive native trees and shrubs and for regeneration of biodiversity tree seedling production, planting, and maintenance/protection;
In close collaboration with the M &E Officer, provide regular field reports and ensure monitoring and recording of progress against the project’s indicators;
Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
The major task of the Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology is to support the implementation of project research and development activities under the portfolio of DeSIRA agroforestry in action in the Eastern province of Rwanda with the timely and quality delivery of field-related work, data analysis and reporting. In addition, he will also play roles in supporting other ongoing and new initiatives under Sustainable Agriculture portfolio including DeSIRA LSC hub development, among others. The incumbent will be located in the IUCN Rwanda, Kigali office with frequent travel to the field.
DUTIES;
Under the direct guidance of, and working closely with, the relevant Project Manager, the specific responsibilities of the Project Officer, Agroforestry & Agro-ecology will be:
Assist the project Manager in the implementation of DESIRA Agroforestry, LSC and other related activities under FLR and sustainable Agriculture portifolio;
Assist the Project Manager to maintain good collaboration between DESIRA project partners and stakeholders including ENABEL, ICRAF, UGent, KUL and Districts;
Responsible for establishing, monitoring supervising research experiments on agroforestry systems, and agricultural landscape functional biodiversity in the Eastern Province;
Conduct sample and data management, and reporting for agroforestry biodiversity, soil and crop production assessment;
Through active participation with partners and stakeholders, assist in the development of annual, quarterly and monthly intervention and reporting plans;
Suppport to organize trainings, meetings, workshops and other events for partners, and stakeholders in line with projects implementation;
Support the establishment, organization, and training of local community groups in promoting agroforestry systems, land health, sustainable agriculture, and climate smart technologies;
Support the natural regeneration and enrichment plantation of biodiversity-supportive native trees and shrubs and for regeneration of biodiversity tree seedling production, planting, and maintenance/protection;
In close collaboration with the M &E Officer, provide regular field reports and ensure monitoring and recording of progress against the project’s indicators;
Perform any other duties as may be assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
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• POSITION REQUIREMENTS: Education; A minimum of a Bsc degree in the areas of Agroforestry, Integrated Soil Fertility Management, Regenerative agriculture, and Natural Resources and Sustainable Land Management, Agrobiodiversity and any related field. Experience: Minimum 5 years of experience in soil science, agro-ecology, regenerative agriculture, natural resources; Good knowledge of nature based solutions approach in agriculture; Demonstrated experience and an in-depth understanding farming systems and agro biodiversity conservation in Rwanda and ESARO Region; Have strong experience of working with international organizations is added advantage; High proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and knowledge of GIS will be a benefit; A good level of report writing, networking, facilitation and communication skills; Demonstrated experience in data analytics, and writing skills of scientific paper; Possess energy, drive, enthusiasm, commitment and passion for good quality work benefiting communities and environment. Language Proficiency; A high level of proficiency in oral and written communication in English and the local language is required. Core Competencies; Transparency: Able to build trust and contribute to informed and responsible decision-making by carrying out the work of IUCN in a transparent manner; provides clear guidance to ensure that objectives and desired measurable results are understood by members of the team. Inclusiveness: Understands and accepts cultural diversity, and provides a tolerant, positive and supportive working environment that fosters respect for diversity, demonstrates an ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment, and maintains effective working relations with people of different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. Professionalism: Promote the organization’s interests, objectives, and values diligently and professionally. Accountability: Takes responsibility for individual and collective actions, and promotes the IUCN One Programme approach. Functional Competencies Adheres to IUCN ESARO core values of Transparency, Inclusiveness, Professionalism, and Accountability. Strong problem-analysis and solving skills. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural sensitivity, and a very good communicator. Innovative and dynamic, with the ability to take initiative and provide creative solutions to project management problems. Excellent analytical skills and ability to work with field supervision and function in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment. Highly motivated and results-oriented individual. Committed to continuous learning and a proactive and mature attitude towards self-development. Ability and willingness to travel. Contract Duration; The employment contract is for one year renewable upon the employee job description performance and availability of fund. |
APPLICATIONS
Applicants are requested to apply online through the HR Management System, by opening the vacancy announcement and pressing the "Apply" button.
Applicants will be asked to create an account and submit their profile information. Applications will not be accepted after the closing date. The vacancy closes at midnight, Swiss time (GMT+1 / GMT+2 during Daylight Saving Time, DST). Please note that only selected applicants will be personally contacted for interviews.
Other job opportunities are published in the IUCN website: https://www.iucn.org/involved/jobs/
About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations. It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.
Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 Member organisations and around 16,000 experts. It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis. Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.
IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Working with many partners and supporters, IUCN implements a large and diverse portfolio of conservation projects worldwide. Combining the latest science with the traditional knowledge of local communities, these projects work to reverse habitat loss, restore ecosystems and improve people’s well-being.
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