Somalia: Agricultural skills trainer Consultant, SCORES II

ORGANIZATIONALBACKGROUND

Adeso is an expanding and vibrant African based international development and humanitarian organization. At Adeso, we work with African communities who are yet to realize their full potential; working inside these communities to create environments in which Africans can thrive. Our belief that economic, social and environmental security is the bedrock of a healthy community drives the nature and intent of our programming. We work to prevent and overcome situations that adversely affect community well-being by: reinvigorating the economy, developing skills for life and work, providing humanitarian aid, and influencing policy.

For the past 20 years we have strengthened rural livelihoods through environmental awareness, training, technology transfer and innovative humanitarian projects in pursuit of a peaceful, self-reliant, and greener future. Currently, Adeso has programs in Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan.

Adeso is an exciting and dynamic organization experiencing managed rapid growth. It offers sound employment conditions with opportunities for personal growth and development.

ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY

Adeso is seeking qualified Consultant skills trainer specialized in Agricultural Techniques to train farmers in Sanaag and Mudug regions under the SCORES II project. The consultancy is for a period of 12 days and will include lessons plan preparation, assessment of farmers’ knowledge and the skills gaps. The skills trainer will provide capacity building to the selected farmers on the farming techniques, best practices, the post-harvest seeds selection and storage, and would identify farmers’ champions among the participants to be included in the farmers’ extension services.

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Somalia Community Recovery and Economic Support project Phase II (SCORESII) aims to improve access to food, safe water and sanitation, protect livelihood assets and build resilience of poor households in Sanaag and Mudug regions of Somalia/Somaliland. The project is building on the gains realized under SCORES I, which was implemented by Adeso from October 2013 to December 2014. This program is designed to go beyond short-term crisis response and focus on enhancing household capacity to address recurrent problems such as food insecurity and poor sanitation. The program includes the following major components: provision of agricultural inputs, economic recovery through cash based responses, rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure and the strengthening of communities’ capacity to respond to emergencies by building the capacity of the Disaster Management Authority. These components complement each other and when combined, actively support households to maintain their livelihood strategies while addressing key WASH problems.

OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The skilled trainer will facilitate farmers training in both Sanaag and Mudug regions, on the best agricultural techniques, farming techniques (including land preparation, seeds selection, planting and crops management, and post harvesting storage). The trainer is expected to provide most viable options of farming in each region, the seeds varieties selection, support the establishment of farmers’ field association. Where applicable, the trainer will provide practical sessions that include on site sessions at the farms to demonstrate the current challenges farmers are facing and the most practical solutions that’s available to them.

DELIVERABLES

i. Crop management/husbandry of Potato (white), Carrot, Cabbage, Kale, Lettuce, Watermelon, Onion , Green/sweet pepper

ii. Common soil problems (Compacted soils, Hard pans, Treating compacted soils etc.)

iii. Post harvest seed selection and storage

iv. Planting methods

v. Pests and diseases

vi. Insect Management:

vii. Disease Management:

viii. Preparation of compost manure, Protocol for establishing field departments and data collection tools

ix. Training of farmer’s seed bed preparation, traditional Pesticides /disease control, Nutrition of crops and proper management of yield including storage system.

x. Develop training material for the identified crops and related practices

xi. Land preparation techniques to minimize soil erosion.

SCOPE OF WORK

The following key areas of work are included in this consultancy though the present list is not exhaustive and additional issues might come up during the consultancy:

• Provide training manual.
• Provide daily lesson plans to Adeso SCORES II Project team.
• Provide practical training to the selected farmers in both regions
• Provide status updates on training to Adeso SCORESII Project team.
• Monitor and submit attendance of beneficiaries.
• Assess and examine farmers on knowledge of Agriculture during the course of the training.

METHODOLOGY

Field and theory trainings activities will be conducted as follows:

In the field, Adeso field technicians and partnering farmers will be trained on the protocols and best practices generally applied in land preparation and crop management. Targeted farmers will have the opportunity to share their practical experiences. Other topics that will be covered include agronomic traits and crop management practices such as weeding, irrigation and application of crop protection practices will be closely monitored. Agronomic data collected as well as the reaction of the various crop species to major diseases prevailing in the region will be summarized. Participating farmers will also be trained on crop production and protection practices as well as agronomic data collection and evaluation.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Basic qualifications in agriculture essential
• Experience/Knowledge in Agricultural techniques essential.
• At least 5 years experience/Knowledge in training and teaching on agricultural related field
• Must be proficient in written and spoken Somali language.
• Familiar with Sanaag and Mudug agro-pastoral livelihood context.
• Ability to assess students (farmers)
• Experience in the use of participatory learning/teaching methodologies.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS:

All documentation related to the assignment shall remain the sole and exclusive property of Adeso.

Applications should be submitted not later than 19^th September 2015. Adeso will conduct interviews on an on-going basis. All applicants must meet the minimum requirements described above. Only short listed candidates will be contacted. Adeso is an equal opportunity employer. Each application should include the following:

• An updated CV including relevant work experience and qualifications;
• Contact details of 3 references.

Applications not including all of the above information will not be reviewed. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

All applications should be sent to Adeso at consultancy@adesoafrica.orgwith the subject line: “**Consultant Skills Trainer**– SCORESII**”. Applications should be submitted no later than**19^th September 2015.