Job Description

Title: Economic Recovery Specialist - Irrigation Engineer/Irrigation Agronomist

Location:  Dolo Ado

Employment Category:  G2

Salary Range: As per the organization scale

Reporting To:  Economic Recovery Manager

Contract Duration:  1 Year

Posting date: July 31, 2024

Required Employee: 1                    

INTRODUCTION

The Danish Refugee Council (DRC), an international non-governmental organization (NGO), has been providing relief and development services in the Horn of Africa since 1997. DRC promotes and supports solutions to the problems faced by refugees, internally displaced people (IDPs), and migrants. DRC Ethiopia began operations in 2009 and has been responding to the needs of refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities ever since.  DRC Ethiopia currently has programs implemented through five area offices (AO) in Gambella, Tigray, Somali (Jijiga & Dollo Ado) and Afar regions, as well as its country office (CO) in Addis Ababa.

OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

Under the direct supervision of the Economic Recovery Manager, the EcRec (Economic Recovery) Specialist- Irrigation Engineer& Agronomist will be responsible for leading timely and quality implementation of Agriculture (Crop and Vegetable, and livestock production), agronomic and irrigation activities.  She/he will work to ensure program achievement and contribute to enhancing agricultural production and productivity in crop and vegetable production. The role holder is expected to have wide experience of identifying appropriate watershed/catchment area and selection of appropriate site for water harvesting pond structure. Experience of Designing of pond structure, primary and secondary irrigation canals and installation of water lifting solar pump for small scale irrigation is required. Knowledge of basin, furrow and drip irrigation for climate smart Agriculture activities are highly encouraged. Experience in estimating the crop water requirement for low land areas and proposing of feasible fruit, vegetable and livestock forage varieties to be cultivated through small scale irrigation practice is highly appreciable.

Main Responsibilities:

Programme Management (technical) , Development, Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Provided technical backstopping for the planned climate-smart agriculture activities in crop, vegetable, and livestock production and productivity including the agronomic and small-scale irrigation activities to ensure the planned activities are implemented with the required standards and period.
• Designing and coordinating the implementation of agriculture and irrigation guidelines and activities.
• Responsible for analyzing, planning, and designing irrigation systems for small-scale farmers, including Birka construction, drip irrigation, solarized irrigation pump installation and management, and other supporting systems.
• Testing soil and vegetation for irrigation needs, surveying areas for irrigation pump installation, and conducting routine maintenance checks on irrigation systems.
• Estimate the crop water requirement and propose feasible fruit, vegetable and livestock forage varieties to be cultivated through small scale irrigation practice.
• Ensure appropriative water management system among the water user community groups.
• Support periodic maintenance of primary and secondary irrigation canals and the furrow system inside the farmland.Identify and support the distribution of improved and locally adaptable, Nutrition, Climate-smart and drought resistant Crops including backyard Gardening approaches  
• Introduce and expand the use of organic fertilizer to enhance yields e.g. vermicomposting which can improve yields and create income-generating opportunities
• Support harvesting and post-harvesting mechanization through engagement with harvesting and post-harvest loss technology manufacturers and SMEsMake regular field visits to assess the activity's implementation progress and provide technical advice for community mobilizers/ facilitators and beneficiaries.
• Ensures the project activities under his lead are properly captured, documents, and updates relevant information regarding crop and livestock production and agronomic practices.
• Prepare and submit regular updates/reports (weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual)

Grants Management

• Closely work with the DRC Grant and MEAL team during the development of project management and monitoring tools, indicators development, monitoring of activities and reporting of output and outcome of the planned activities. 

Capacity development

• Provide regular training and technical support for the water user committees. 
• Provide training on appropriate agronomic practice and different irrigation practices to staff and beneficiaries,

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate and foster integration with other DRC program sectors and support services. 
• Maintain relationships with key government partners and local implementing partners. 

Experiences and Qualifications

Personal/Professional Skills:

• A strong team worker;
• Aptitude to work in difficult conditions and stressful situations;
• Excellent internal and external communication and coordination capabilities and excellent team building and coordination skills;
• Continuous Learning; a colleague who promotes continuous learning for self and others;
• Creativity and Initiative; someone that actively seeks new ways of improving programs, services and partnerships;
• Performance Management; a person who identify ways and implement actions to improve performance of self and others;
• Self-motivated and able to work with a minimum of guidance and supervision; 

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master

DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.  
• Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.  
• Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
• Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: You act in line with our vision and values.  

Experience and technical competencies: (include years of experience)

• BSc or MSC degree in Agronomy, Irrigation Agronomy/Engineering, Agricultural engineering, General Agriculture, plant science, Crop production, Animal science and other relevant subjects.
• Experience in research and community engagement
• Minimum of 3 year experience in the specified fields with at least 2 years agriculture-based NGO/agricultural research institute experience with similar environment required.
• Experience in project management, budget administration, and donor reporting
• Computer literacy (office 360 and MS Outlook) with good verbal and written communication skills in English, and speaking the local language is a plus

EDUCATION: (include certificates, licenses, etc.)

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Agronomy, Irrigation Agronomy, Agricultural engineering, General Agriculture, plant science, Crop production, Animal science and other relevant subjects.

LANGUAGE: (indicate fluency level)

• Full professional proficiency in English.

Skills Required

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