Project Officer – PSAC job at HEIFER INTERNATIONAL

Deadline: Expired

Description

HPI is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identify, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with some form of disability.

In Rwanda, our aim is moving 300,000 smallholder farmers to achieve sustainable living income by 2030 against Heifer Africa target of 6.745 million. Heifer does this through the sustainable locally led Development approach.

Function

The Project Officer will be responsible for the daily implementation of project activities within the district. This role is at the frontline for implementing the Value Based Holistic Community Development (VBHCD) approach. The Project Officer will be trained as a trainer to provide social capital and technical training as well as project-supported extension services to project beneficiaries. They will facilitate the formation and strengthening of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and support farmer learning in Livestock Farmer Field Schools.

Essential Character Traits

Drives results, accountable, manages complex environments, excellent and effective communication, resourcefulness, conflict management skills, team player, respectful, flexible, and cooperative.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

A. Farmers’ Organization, Capacity Building, and Project Reporting (35%)

Facilitate SHG formation and Farmer Field School (FFS) establishment.
Strengthen SHGs through social capital orientation and provision of technical services.
Prepare and deliver training on improved sustainable farming practices, including irrigation, greenhouses, and integrated farming.
Mobilize farmers to adopt relevant technologies in production practices, post-harvest handling, and climate risk management.
Ensure record-keeping by farmers.
Mobilize farmers into horticulture farming cooperatives.
Ensure timely delivery of all training activities until the end of the project lifetime.
Build capacity of horticulture cooperatives in leadership, governance, marketing, business plan development, input supply, and access to finance.
Support cooperatives in establishing governance and management structures.
Assess cooperative needs and follow up on interventions related to cooperative investment.
Regularly visit cooperatives to monitor progress and provide necessary coaching.
Provide monthly progress reports.

B. Provision of Inputs, Extension, and Advisory Services (35%)

Participate in selecting, evaluating, and confirming project beneficiaries in collaboration with local authorities.
Support the identification, transportation, and distribution of inputs to target farmers.
Collaborate with local authorities to inspect and validate beneficiary lists on a regular basis.
Keep records of beneficiaries (both hard and soft copies) to ensure complete documentation of work.
Ensure timely delivery of seeds, organic manure, and pesticides.
Promote climate-resilient practices and investments at the farmer level.
Create synergies with local agronomists and extension service providers to achieve project outcomes.
Conduct regular farm visits to assess good practices and production quality.
Visit households to advise farmers on improvements in agricultural practices.
Provide support to sensitize beneficiaries on sustainable natural resource management.

C. Support for Enterprise Development (25%)

Identify locations for agribusiness hubs and participate in their establishment.
Assist in identifying youth hub needs and follow up on interventions with youth.
Assess market constraints and identify opportunities for private-sector engagement.

D. Other Responsibilities (5%)

Perform any other duties as assigned by supervisors.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Crop Production, Horticulture, Rural Development, Agribusiness, or related fields, with at least five years of relevant experience in the agriculture sector in Rwanda.
Valid Permanent Rwandan A category driver’s license.
Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda (fluency in other languages is a plus).

Preferred Requirements

Minimum of five years of relevant experience.

Most Critical Proficiencies

Proven experience in building the capacity of partner institutions, managing knowledge, measuring progress, and fostering innovation within the industry.
Experience in business, investment analyses, capital budgeting, project report writing, and donor reporting.
Skills in project management, including donor project budget management.
Experience in establishing private-public partnerships at national and district levels.
Expertise in conducting and facilitating training in English and Kinyarwanda for diverse stakeholders.
Experience working with community groups, providing training, and coaching agriculture cooperatives.
Knowledge and sensitivity toward issues associated with poverty, hunger, and environmental concerns.
Organizational skills and experience with various value chains, including horticulture.
Knowledge of development trends, challenges, and implications for community development.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work cooperatively and diplomatically with diverse groups.
Innovation, analytical skills, and solution-oriented mindset.
Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, email (Microsoft Office preferred), and the internet.
Knowledge of private/public partnerships at district and business levels.
Proficiency in English and Kinyarwanda, both oral and written, with knowledge of other Rwandan languages as a plus.

Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands

Proven leadership and collaboration skills to train and work cooperatively with beneficiaries.
Regular stakeholder analysis to strengthen partnerships and leverage resources.
Frequent communication with colleagues and the public to increase program visibility.
Frequent field trips to reach beneficiaries.
Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks independently while meeting strict deadlines.
Ability to work with sensitive information confidentially.
Willingness to relocate; position is district-based, with the work location determined later.

Key Behavioural Competencies