Job Description

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Organization: International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC)

Training and Extension Associate (TEA)

Tracking Code  20120323

Job Description

Position Title: Training and Extension Associate (TEA)

Type: Full Time, an initial fixed term for 6 Months, with possibility of extension subject to performance and the continued availability of funds

Project Title: Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) Project

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal, with frequent field travel outside Kathmandu

Background:

Since 1974, the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) has focused on increasing and sustaining food security and agricultural productivity in developing countries through the development and transfer of effective and environmentally sound crop nutrient management and agribusiness expertise.

Since 1966, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) has been working to improve livelihoods and foster more productive, sustainable maize and wheat farming. CIMMYT’s portfolio squarely targets critical challenges, including food insecurity and malnutrition, climate change and environmental degradation. CIMMYT leads the CGIAR Research Programs on Maize and Wheat, which aligns and adds values to the efforts of more than 500 partners.

The Nepal Seed and Fertilizer (NSAF) Project is a 5-year initiative funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). NSAF aims to facilitate sustainable increases in national crop productivity, economic welfare and household level food security, working in 20 Feed the Future Zone of Influence districts and five earthquake-affected districts in Nepal. The project will achieve its objectives through the use of improved seed and Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) technologies.

Implementation of NSAF provisioned with a consortium of international organizations and local partners. Nepal Agriculture Research Council and Department of Agriculture are the two main government counterparts in implementation of the project. The consortium is led by International Maize and Wheat Development Center (CIMMYT). International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), as a member in the consortium, is supporting implementation of the fertilizer component. IFDC has one full-time Agronomist and Extension Specialist and one full-time Market Development Specialist in the project team. The IFDC Soil Scientist Asia region supervises, coordinates and supports the project activities on a part-time basis for its smooth implementation and maintaining a good working relationship with CIMMYT.

The Fertilizer Component of NSAF mainly consists of:
• Increase the capacity of public and private partners for developing and employing ISFM practices.
• Develop and deploy domain-specific ISFM recommendations.
• Evaluate and commercialize efficient fertilizer application technologies.
• Scale ISFM through dealers, retailers, cooperatives, and development partners supported by extension agents.
Training and extension is a major part of the activities envisaged in NSAF to achieve the above mentioned outcomes.

Responsibilities of Training and Extension Associate (TEA):

Training and Extension Associate (TEA) provides assistance and support to the Agronomist and Extension Specialist (AES) in training, extension, dissemination and farmers’ adoption initiatives related to ISFM and 4Rs in general; arrangements of logistics, preparation of extension materials and innovative communication tools, management and documentation of events in particular.

Specifically, she/he will be responsible to perform the following jobs:

• Support AES in overall management of training and extension activities.
• Translate technical agronomic information into simple extension materials.
• Assist in developing training modules to ensure effective delivery of knowledge and skills related to ISFM, precision nutrient management and 4Rs nutrient stewardship to agriculture cooperatives and agro-vet leaderships.
• Prepare training materials and communication tools on ISFM, 4Rs nutrient stewardship, organic matter management, soil pH and soil amendments etc.
• Pre-test module in the field with agriculture cooperatives and agro-retailors and other development partners. Revise the modules based on the feedback.
• Identify appropriate extension materials and communication tools or promotional materials for wider dissemination of ISFM practices.
• Arrangement of training logistics—selection of training venue, participants and other events related to training.
• Coordinate with field level extension workers from both government and private organizations to involve them in the training technology dissemination activities.
• Support documentation, communication and admin/finance of the training activities
• Take other responsibilities for achieving NSAF goal as advised by AES.
• Cooperate and work as a team member with the NSAF team in the overall interest of the project.
• Any other duties as relevant or required.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Candidate should be a Nepali citizen. He/she should have a strong background on communication and extension of agricultural practices.
• Candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years experiences in training and extension related to agricultural practices or a Master’s degree in agriculture extension, communication, development studies, rural development, sociology or any relevant disciplines with at least 3 years experiences in training, documentation, livelihoods development activities.
• Candidate must have excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Candidate must have very good skills of documentation, including excellent computer skills, conversant on graphic design and other software useful for the task.
• Fluent in written and spoken Nepali and English (skills of local language – Tharu, Awadhi and Gadhwali will be an advantage).
• Work experience in the Mid and Far Western Regions at USAID/INGO/bilateral development project desired.

HOW TO APPLY

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Job Categories: NGO/ INGO/ Social Work. Job Types: Contract. Job Tags: EJOBS, Ejobs Nepal, ejobsnepal, HAMRO JOB, jagire, job vacancy, JOB VACANCY FOR VARIOUS POSITION, Job Vacancy In International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Jobs in Kathmandu, jobs in nepal, mero job, mero rojgari, Merorojgari, Nepal, Nepali Jobs, nepalijobs, timro job, and wanted. Salaries: Negotiable.

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