Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and is committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

About Oxfam

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with the injustice of poverty. Together we save and rebuild lives in disasters. We help people build better lives for themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality, discrimination against women and climate change. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty.

Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam.

Team Purpose

To provide assistance that meets humanitarian and long-term needs and reduces underlying drivers of conflict at all levels.

Job Purpose

To provide support to Reliance Livelihood (Programs as a part of the Ninawa team for our areas of operation in Ninawa.  Key areas of intervention will include agriculture activities, value chain, women empowerment and advocacy.

The Role

We are looking for Agriculture & Food Safety Specialist-Ninewa

key Responsibilities

• The Agriculture and food specialist will work closely with staff from the Directorate of Agriculture (DoA) and farmers association in Ninewa to establish a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to participate in value chain knowledge, skill development and to secure support for other VCD activities.
• Support establishing farmers field schools (FFS) at the district/sub-district level to conduct training, raise awareness and promote the adaptation of climate-resilient approaches and technologies to enhance crops and livestock production and farming technologies.
• Liaise and Coordinate with the Directorate of Agriculture (DoA) and relevant stakeholders on the existing practices and principles on farmers field school approach.
• With DoA in Ninewa facilitate skill development training to the FFS at the district/ sub-district level to promote the adaptation of climate-resilient approaches and technologies to enhance crops and livestock production and farming techniques.
• Support each FFS formed to establish on-farm demonstration plots that will be used to share ideas and experiences so that agroecological practices and technologies can be successfully replicated and scaled.
• Responsible for planning and implementing the farmer field schools approach at the district/sub-district level
• Work with the DoA to increase the number of women’s extension workers to facilitate the development of pro-women’s value chains in agriculture markets.
• Work closely with DoA and agriculture academic institutions/ research centers to adopt “Good Agriculture practices (GAP)” to deliver training through FFS and promote farmer’s knowledge and skills in these areas.
• Conduct ToT program to the extension workers and community-based facilitators (CBFs)/lead farmers/ progressive farmers.
• Conduct training for women farmers’ groups to improve their financial literacy and agri-business management skills.
• Provide support to youth and women pursue vocational training in the agriculture sector to establish their own income-generating activities based on local opportunities.
• Provide support to the livelihood project team in conducting registration and verification of beneficiaries
• Conduct technical specifications of all the vegetables seeds, cereal seeds and other agriculture inputs related to selected crops.
• Ensure mainstreaming gender and protection throughout the project cycle
• Supervise the overall training program and will ensure the quality of delivery through use of participatory, interactive and practical approaches especially learning by doing approaches.
• Plan and organize seeds and tools distribution to the beneficiaries
• Conduct awareness-raising sessions (environmental protection, social cohesion and organic farming)
• Conduct regular visits to the field sites to provide support and guidance to improve the quality of the programs
• Working closely with MEAL staff in conducting post-distribution monitoring and as well vegetable and crop monitoring
• Take the lead in coming up with innovative ideas and appropriate techniques based on the context.

Collect and document all the lessons learned in  agricultural technologies

What we are looking for

Skills, Experience and knowledge

• Diploma or Degree in Agriculture Science/ Agronomy or Agricultural engineering
• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in conducting agricultural training
• Familiar with food safety standards. Desirable to have food safety standard certification from a certified institute.
• Familiar and experienced with Good Agriculture Principles (GAP) and Climate Smart Agriculture practices.
• Experience of working with an NGO – especially in project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• A good understanding of the Iraqi/Kurdish context and cultures.
• Strong communication interpersonal skills
• Negotiation skills and the ability to influence and inspire confidence in others in the diverse working environment
• Community mobilization experience
• An understanding of gender, protection and diversity issues in Cash and Voucher Programming would be advantageous
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to work well under pressure and in response to changing needs.
• Ability to travel and to work in difficult circumstances.
• MS Office Skills (Word, Excel)

Essential

• Good written and spoken English, as well as strong spoken and written Arabic is essential.

Desirable

• A good understanding of the Iraqi/Kurdish context and cultures.

Key Attributes

• Strong communication interpersonal skills
• Good training skills
• Negotiation skills and the ability to influence and inspire confidence in others in the diverse working environment
• Community mobilization experience
• An understanding of gender, protection and diversity issues in Cash and Voucher Programming would be advantageous
• Ability to work effectively with others
• Ability to work well under pressure and in response to changing needs.
• Ability to travel and to work in difficult circumstances

We offer

This role will give you an opportunity to make a difference in career development, to act as a key contributor to the livelihood team, to work with a group of passionate people that are specialists in their fields, training, and development, offers fair pay and competitive benefits package.

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

 

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

How to apply 

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.  OR

 

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and respond to three key questions related to your experience in Agriculture. Your application will be shortlisted based on your CV and your responses to the above questions. You need not comment on your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won’t stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of international confederation of 19 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries. 

In response to Covid-19 if you are offered a role where you are required to travel between countries please ensure you have been briefed by the Hiring Manager about any changes to working or precautions you should take as part of your role.