Near East Foundation (NEF)

Title:  National Agronomist

Reports to:  International Team Leader

Location:  Al Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Travel:  Frequent travel to project sites

Position contingent on funding. The anticipated start date is November 1, 2021.

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a National Agronomist for an anticipated GIZ development program focused on agricultural livelihoods, conflict, and economic development.

NEF is a non-profit international development organization that has supported livelihoods recovery and community-based economic development in the Middle East, Africa, and Caucasus since 1915. NEF draws on local teams, experience, and partnerships in these regions to create community-led solutions to improve livelihoods and local governance among conflict and crisis-affected groups, while maintaining neutrality and ensuring inclusiveness in our approach. Working through a network of country offices and local partners, NEF currently has operations in ten countries: Armenia, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Mali, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, South Sudan, and Syria. Our programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

Position Description

The National Agronomist is a key member of the Near East Foundation team in Iraq.  The National Agronomist will hold overall responsibility for all activities related to agricultural production and the improvement of the agricultural extension system for  a development project that seeks to improve agricultural income in  Anbar Governorate.

Responsibilities 

• Provide overall responsibility for all activities related to agricultural production and the improvement of the agricultural extension system;
• Serve as Deputy Team Leader; responsible for team leader functions in the periods of absence of the team leader;
• Maintain contact and co-coordinating with involved farmers/farmer groups and government extension workers;
• Co-ordinate the development of training modules on Good Agricultural Practices and water management;
• Co-ordinate production-related training and coaching activities;
• Provide on-the-job coaching of extension workers;
• Co-ordinate the development of any other production-related content and information as well as its dissemination;
• Prepare and provide timely and quality completion of all program technical deliverables and reports (including quarterly, annual, and M&E reports) in accordance with the agreement and GIZ guidelines;
• Work closely with the NEF program team and other NEF teams to ensure a smooth and rapid start-up of the program.

Qualifications

• University degree (bachelor’s/master’s) in agronomy or related field;
• 10 years of professional experience in agricultural production
• 5 years of professional experience in working in setting up/working in agricultural extension
• 3 years of management/leadership experience as project team leader or manager in a company
• 5 years of experience working on DC projects;
• Master proficiency in Arabic (C2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• Upper Intermediate proficiency in English (B2 in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages);
• Ability to pass a comprehensive pre-employment background check.

NEF will accept a rolling application until the position is filled.  Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

To apply:

Please apply by submitting the following documents to the Near East Foundation careers page at https://neareast.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=134&source=aWQ9OA%3D%3D

1. Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability 
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. List of three references (including one from current, or most recent, employer)

Applicants are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Near East Foundation by visiting the NEF website at www.neareast.org.

The Near East Foundation promotes Equal Employment Opportunities for all applicants seeking employment and NEF employees.