Background

RICE West Nile is searching for a suitably qualified candidate to fill two positions of Agronomist and MEAL Assistant. The Agronomist will be assigned under RICE West Nile’s Resilient Livelihood project funded by AWO International and MEAL Assistant will be assigned to the Strengthening Environmental Accountability Project funded by the Royal Danish Embassy, Kingdom of Netherlands, Embassy of Ireland and Sweden. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply.

Rural Initiative for Community Empowerment West Nile (RICE West Nile) is a registered Indigenous Non-Governmental Organization in Uganda with headquarters in Arua City, located on plot 16 Odaa Road, Block Awudule Crescent. RICE West Nile Continues to make a profound and progressive contribution towards the development of communities in Uganda in the areas of Sustainable Livelihood and Environmental protection, Health Promotion, Skills Development and Research, Innovation and Advocacy.

Position: Agronomist (1 person)

Duty station: RICE West Nile Head Office.

Contract period: 1 year renewable upon good performance.

Reports to: Project Coordinator

Job Summary:

The Agronomist will improve agricultural productivity by researching and advising farmers on soil management, crop production, and pest control. The position holder will analyze soil, water, and plant samples, develop sustainable cultivation techniques, and recommend crop feeding or treatment plans to optimize yield. The successful candidate will frequently work in the field with farmers to implement best practices. A combination of office-based data analysis and significant time spent outdoors in various weather conditions. Occasional long hours during planting or harvesting seasons will happen.

Required Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

This position requires a minimum of diploma in agricultural science, crop science, or a related field. At least 3 years for diploma holder or 2 years for bachelor holders working with farmers or farming products. A good understanding of soil science, plant biology, entomology, and plant pathology is an added advantage.

Behavioral competencies:

This position requires a flexible person with the ability to cope with changing technology, high integrity Strong interpersonal skills to effectively train and communicate with farmers, Analytical, strong problem-solving and a team player. Ability to interpret data and analyze field surveys.

• Lead design of appropriate practices and provide technical support in the areas of crop and vegetables production.
• Advise on the cultivation of food crops, vegetables, fruit trees and fodder crops with climate-smart thinking and action;
• Design and assist in implementing demonstration plots for innovative agricultural crops & agronomic practices;
• Provide technical support to the post-harvest handling and marketing of local crop products;
• Taking part in supervision of works related to crop agronomy and protection.
• Ensure that all agricultural activities are contributing towards the development of sustainable agriculture.
• Lead studies, assessments, documentation of best practices/lessons and activities related to climate smart crop production.
• Advice project teams on best practices to ensure quality outcomes for all crop production activities.
• Work with the project and program team and technical expertise to develop and refine tools and systems in relation to crop production, agronomic practices, CSA and related.
• Work with project stakeholders to ensure they are inclusive in crop farming approaches that support farmers and their groups.
• Collaborating with the project teams, provide technical support and liaise with the staffs of relevant in the areas of agriculture.
• Actively participate in regular planning, monitoring and evaluation of project progress.
• Developing strategies to manage resources responsibly for all the farmers by using sustainable farming practices.

• Ability to interpret data and analyze field surveys.
• Strong interpersonal skills to effectively train and communicate with farmers.
• Analytical and strong problem-solving skills.
• Team player.
• Flexible with the ability to cope with changing technology.
• High integrity.

• Diploma in agricultural science, crop science, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience for diploma holders or 2 years for bachelor holders working with farmers or farming products.
• A good understanding of soil science, plant biology, entomology, and plant pathology is an added advantage.