Agriculture Specialist

Job Description

Title: Agriculture Specialist

Company Name: Practical Action - Bangladesh.

Vacancy: 1

Job Location: Khulna

Employment Status: Full-time, Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ Bachelor of Science (BSc)
∎ At least Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture/ Agri business/Agricultural economics; Masters degree in related fields preferred.
∎ Strong report writing skill in English and Bangla.
∎ Demonstrated experience to technical expertise in delivering and managing agricultural and rural livelihoods programs and participatory market system approaches duly ensuring social inclusiveness and women economic empowerment
∎ Demonstrate a strong understanding of livelihood programs and ecosystem services and their application in the implementation of Nature-based solution approach
∎ Well-versed with climate change, adaptation, resilience and nature-based solutions programming, strategies and policies.
∎ Experience of agriculture markets and markets-based approaches to development and conversant with the PMSD framework, or similar tools.

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 7 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has selected a CARE Bangladesh led consortium to implement the project titled ‘Nature Based Adaptation towards Prosperous and Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh (NABAPALLAB)’ in two Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA) – Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor.
∎ The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, and Hakaluki Haor, a complex wetland system of the Meghna-Surma River basin, play a crucial role in protecting lives and livelihoods in the southwest coast and northeast Bangladesh respectively. The Sundarbans` inhabitants are threatened by climate changes due to rising sea levels and frequent cyclones. Due to environmental sensitivity and high anthropogenic pressures such as overharvesting, overfishing, pollution and illegal logging, the Sundarbans mangrove and the Hakaluki Hoar wetland are at a vulnerable stage with climate change exacerbating the current situation.
∎ FCDO’s NABAPALLAB aims to engage biodiversity and natural resource-dependent communities to strengthen the climate resilience of the ECAs, conserve biodiversity, and at the same time, diversify and improve people`s livelihood through innovative nature-based (NBS) and locally led adaptation solutions. It will also enhance the capacity of the local government bodies to manage and conserve the ECAs effectively and create an enabling environment to implement relevant government plans and policies related to Eco-System based Adaptation (EBA).

Job Responsibilities:
∎ S/he will provide regular strategic guidance to the project for collection of relevant information, support identification of climate smart technologies, crops, and livelihoods options in consultation with the project team and based on the understanding and context of the communities and relevant stakeholders,
∎ S/he should support the project for preparation and / or evaluation of the work plans to ensure technology adoption by the communities,
∎ S/he will prepare and facilitate training sessions on selection and dissemination of climate smart technologies and rural investments relevant to Nature based solutions.
∎ S/he will review and provide feedback to the project on relevant crops and investments in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
∎ S/he will work with relevant advisors, project managers and specialists to ensure project interventions are relevant to the community needs and supporting their resilience
∎ S/he should provide technical guidance, prepare training materials and extend training on agriculture (including livestock & aquaculture) and non-agricultural interventions responsive to the ecologically critical areas in Sundarbans.
∎ Should include agriculture and non-agriculture technologies that are socially inclusive including gender responsive.
∎ S/he, in consultation with community, project staff and relevant stakeholders should design agriculture and non-agriculture technologies that are climate resilient and business viable that brings new business opportunities for the communities
∎ S/he should work with the project manager and other relevant staff including partners to promote alternative income-generating activities and value-addition activities to diversify livelihoods options
∎ S/he should design and promote a participatory market system approach which is gender responsive and adaptable in the climate vulnerable areas.
∎ S/he should maintain strong collaboration with NARS and other development actors in the region
∎ Should support the project Manager and relevant specialists so project progress and evidences are measured and presented as per the project MEAL framework and ToC
∎ S/he should provide Technical Assistance to strengthen the capacity of the project partners for keeping the project consistent to project goal and strengthening communities’ resilience
∎ Support MEL team to establish a functioning accountability mechanism, and ensure closing the loop of all feedback, especially from ecology based adaptation (EbA) and regenerative agriculture point of view.
∎ Support MEL team to conduct baseline, mid-line and end line survey and evaluations, scoping study, process and periodical monitoring assessment tools and checklists from regenerative agriculture point of view.
∎ Ensure real-time monitoring data inputs on natural resource management (NRM), EbA and regenerative agriculture so as to provide clear direction to reflect and improve consortium’s performance in these aspects.
∎ Provide inputs to consortium’s learning and knowledge products from NRM, EbA and regenerative agriculture perspectives.
∎ S/he should deliver reports and presentations as per the project need.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Age 18 to 65 years
∎ Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
∎ Good understanding on issues of climate change adaptation; gender equity, protection and multicultural intervention.
∎ Good communication, negotiation and problem-solving capacities.
∎ Ability to manage stress, multi-task and take decisions.
∎ Pro-active and participatory decision-making and problem-solving;
∎ Leadership and results oriented.
∎ Flexibility and good understanding on human centric innovation
∎ Adaptive thinking and a strong, critical mindset.
∎ Strong business acumen and presentation skills.
∎ Forward-thinking and adaptable to dynamic situations.
∎ Well-versed on Safeguarding policy
∎ Passionate and with practical experience of building in gender and inclusion into all project activities and approaches.
∎ Strong advocate for climate action, climate and social justice.

Salary: Tk. 70000 - 87000 (Monthly)

Compensation & Other Benefits:
∎ T/A, Mobile bill, Provident fund, Weekly 2 holidays, Insurance, Gratuity
∎ Salary Review: Yearly
∎ Festival Bonus: 2

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 1 Aug 2023

Company Information:
∎ 17 Jul 2023
∎ Practical Action - Bangladesh.
∎ Address : House # 28/A, Road # 5, Dhanmondi, Dhaka-1205
∎ Web : www.practicalaction.org
∎ Business : Practical Action is an international development organisation putting ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.
We help people find solutions to some of the world’s toughest problems. Challenges made worse by catastrophic climate change and persistent gender inequality. We work with communities to develop ingenious, lasting and locally owned solutions for agriculture, water and waste management, climate resilience and clean energy. And we share what works with others, so answers that start small can grow big.
We’re a global change-making group. The group consists of a UK registered charity with community projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America, an independent development publishing company and a technical consulting service. We combine these specialisms to multiply our impact and help shape a world that works better for everyone.

Category: NGO/Development

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