Overview
Support the implementation of agri-food systems and crop production activities to strengthen food security and livelihoods in Papua New Guinea.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop an individual workplan outlining expected deliverables, key activities and timelines for the assignment
- Prepare practical cropping plans (planting, cultivation, harvesting) to enable consistent local food production for beneficiary household to promote food security for households/communities
- Provide guidance and recommend high-yielding, pathogen tested clean planting materials for local food production
- Coordinate the distribution of planting materials, ensuring proper documentation of quantities and a disaggregated list of beneficiary recipients.
- Conduct simple soil quality assessments and recommend sites suitable for food crop production when required
- With the support of the local community, lead the efforts of establishment of demonstration farms showcasing best practices of sweet potatoes and vegetable production
- Support the affected community to enhance dietary diversity and nutritional intake though increased vegetable production
- Lead the establishment of a demo vegetable nursery for seedling production for planting and distribution
- Prepare and conduct training of lead farmers on vegetable garden production form site selection, soil management, pest and disease management harvesting, post- harvesting and food preparation.
- Support the integration of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) for vulnerable communities during disasters/emergencies and for project beneficiaries
Required Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years of proven experience in agriculture, agri-food systems development, or agronomic advisory services.
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work supporting agricultural development activities across different locations or with multiple stakeholders.
- Extent and relevance of experience in designing and implementing agricultural related development programmes or projects
- Extent and relevance of experience in supporting policy development, strategy formulation, or technical guidelines in the agriculture sector.
- Extent and relevance of experience in collaborating with development partners, NGOs, or UN agencies is an asset.
- Extent and relevance of experience in agri-food systems analysis and systems-based approaches.
- Familiarity with conducting field assessments, stakeholder consultations/coordination, and technical reporting.
- Familiarity with and knowledge of PNG’s agricultural systems, food security challenges, and rural livelihoods.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Agronomy, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agri-Food Systems, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields combined with additional two years of relevant experience may be considered.
