Technical Officer- Horticulture

Job Description

Title: Technical Officer- Horticulture

Company Name: Uttaran

Vacancy: Not specific

Job Location: Khulna

Employment Status: Full-time

Educational Requirements:
∎ B.Sc in Agriculture or relevant subject (Master's Degree will be preferred).

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 2 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ Uttaran is a national development organization working in the southwest Bangladesh since 1985 to uphold rights and entitlements and to improve the socio-economic condition of the poor and disadvantaged. Uttaran facilitates in getting access to and control over resources by the poor and disadvantaged to improve agricultural productivity and economic empowerment.
∎ Uttaran in partnership with Solidaridad Network Asia (SNA) started implementing Sustainable Agriculture, Food Security and Linkages (SaFaL) programme in Southwest Bangladesh. The summary of SaFaL and more on Solidaridad works are accessible at www.solidaridadnetwork.org. Uttaran is seeking the following positions to implement SaFaL programme for its project interventions area in Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira district.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ The Technical Officer- Horticulture is responsible to form of Horticulture producer groups and participatory group planning by engaging LEAD FARMERS, local government organizations, different service providers. S/he will support in selection of lead farmers, identify problems and prospects in the Horticulture sector in the field of production, processing, transportation, marketing and production regulations. S/he will support in adoption of sustainable technologies in Horticulture and efficient farm management. S/he will also support in research study to find the appropriate technical solution for increasing productivity in Horticulture and transferring knowledge to the producer groups. S/he will be responsible to establish Horticulture value chain, Horticulture management, & recognized development. He/she capitalises the day-to-day learning, most significant changes on a regular basis. Explore and link with commercial investment opportunities among producer group. Regular monitor of the beneficiaries' progress and sustainable market change. Review yearly plan and activity budget. Provide support to be functioning of the VSM of SaFaL project.
∎ SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
∎ Major responsibilities of this position will include, but is not limited to:
∎ Facilitate for training needs assessment of producers ensure training to make them technically sound on horticulture value chain (production, management, improvement, supply chain etc) and evaluation of training program
∎ Provide technical support to producers, horticulture development, market development, business promotion and diversification of services that meet up the demands at local level of producers.
∎ Facilitate producers to establish demonstration on innovative technology, Good Agriculture practice (GAP) through establish linkage with public and private sector and Research institute
∎ Facilitate producers group for organizational development
∎ Organize community meeting, review meeting, workshop with all stakeholder in aquaculture value chain
∎ Facilitate Lead Farmer to establish contract with private and public sector organization for making inputs available at community level
∎ Support to producers for developing activity plan and business plan and review them
∎ To work closely with Programme officers and Cash transfer Officers to find out appropriate Cash transfer modalities for Horticulture related interventions.
∎ To carry out field monitoring visits and support Provincial Horticulture Officers in adherence to the sector technical standards.
∎ To support and assist for developing proposals, guidelines, strategies.
∎ To coordinate with relevant government and non-government agencies, and represent Solidaridad on different forums.
∎ Provide support to producers group for access to finance through organize match making workshop with Micro Finance Institute, Bank, NGOs etc.
∎ Assist the Team Leader to prepare annual, quarterly and monthly plans and report for effective execution of the project activities as stipulated in the project document
∎ Prepare different case studies, change story, message, article and capitalization of experiences.

Additional Requirements:
∎ Demonstrated overall 2 years of experience in NGO in same capacity; and minimum 1 years' experience on Agriculture/horticulture ( Specially fruits & vegetables) based value chain
∎ Knowledge of Food security and emergency restoration programmes
∎ Strong Computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint etc)
∎ Experience in contextual analysis, quantitative and qualitative researches and other assessment tools
∎ Proven experience, skills and knowledge and preferred experience on Agriculture extension services.
∎ High level of analytical skills in planning, finance and project implementation
∎ Strong communication, analytical and report writing skills with fluency in spoken and written English and Bengali
∎ Knowledge and skills in basic computing, demonstrated inter-personal skills in working with a multi-disciplinary team
∎ Willingness and enthusiasm for working with rural and vulnerable communities living in remote areas of the country
∎ Must have a valid driving license and willing to drive motorcycle.

Salary: Tk. 38000 (Monthly)

Application Deadline: July 15, 2019

Company Information:
∎ Uttaran
∎ Business : Uttaran is a national development organization working in the southwest Bangladesh since 1985 to uphold rights and entitlements and to improve the socio-economic condition of the poor and disadvantaged. Uttaran facilitates in getting access to and control over resources by the poor and disadvantaged to improve agricultural productivity and economic empowerment.

Category: Agro (Plant/Animal/Fisheries)