Job Description

SOS Children’s Villages invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates who fulfill the eligibility criterion for the below position.

Job Title:  Agronomist

Direct Line Manager: Business Development and coordination Officer

Location: Mogadishu

Job Summary:

Agriculture in Somalia faces challenges due to climate variability, leading to decreased production and productivity. SOS Children's Villages Somalia aims to address this by implementing hydroponic farming technology to increase vegetable production and provide supplementary income to marginalized communities. We are seeking an Agronomist to lead the implementation of climate-smart agriculture practices using hydroponic farming in Mogadishu, ensuring sustainability and fostering a snowball effect.

Key Areas of Responsibilities

The main tasks of the position of Agronomist will include, but not be limited to the following:

1. Review the agronomic aspects of the agriculture sector and priorities needs to inform the hydroponic expert.
2. Work closely with hydroponic expert to acquire the skill and capacity needs in setting up climate smart agricultural activities and be able to transfer the knowledge and skills to the youth.
3. Provide advice and technical support in the development of relevant and impactful agronomy services in the local context.
4. Inform and train youth producers in good agronomic practices through implementing, monitoring and reporting on a series of best practice agronomy field demonstrations with participating producers and staff members.
5. Develop technical and practical materials for producer and farmer support staff use including guidelines, leaflets technical notes and manuals in the areas of climate smart farming trials management.
6. Facilitate development of agronomy capacity through supporting continuous professional development for youth farmers and contributing to succession plans in the sustainable management of the hydroponic farming system.
7. Digital Communications/social media.

Experiences and Qualifications

The Agronomist will need to demonstrate the following qualifications, experience, skills and competencies:

• Diploma /Degree in agricultural science, agronomy, crop science or food security disciplines.
• A minimum of 3 years of practical agricultural production and agronomy experience, including experience in development agricultural programmes.
• Experience of working in climate smart agricultural service.
• Understanding of, and experience with in-field experimental and trails design and management.
• An ability to effectively communicate with producers, Community leaders and Government officials and sound verbal reasoning skills.
• Proficient computer skills and use of Microsoft applications.
• Strong analytical capabilities and report writing skills.
• Spoken and written English is essential.

Safeguarding:

SOS Children’s Villages Somalia holds strict child safeguarding principles and a zero-tolerance policy for conducts of sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse in the workplace and other places where the organization’s activities are rendered. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring decisions will give due emphasize to assessing candidates value congruence and thorough background checks, police clearance reference check processes. SOS Children’s Villages organization is committed to safeguarding the rights of the children and therefore, is expected that every individual who joins with SOS Children’s Villages Somalia understand his/her responsibility in protecting and keeping children always safe.

Skills Required

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