Agronomist Officer Full Time NEW

Dan Church Aid (DCA) is a Denmark-based international NGO registered under certificate # 1083 by the Authority for Civil Society Organizations and working to improve the wellbeing of particularly the rural and pre-urban people in Ethiopia. DCA’s programme mainly focuses on saving lives, building resilience, and fighting inequality, targeting highly disaster-prone areas in the Oromia, Amhara, Afar, and Gambella regions.

DCA Ethiopia Office is looking for a competent Agronomist Officer

Vacancy Number: DCA-Eth/VA-009/2026

Vacancy Date: April 09, 2026

Post Title: Agronomist Officer

Required number: One

Type of Contract: Up to January 31, 2027

Duty Station: South Omo Zone – Dassenech & Nyangatom woreda (Based in Omorate)

Reporting to: Program Area Manager

Expected Start Date: As soon as possible

Application Deadline: April 18, 2026

Salary Range: As per DCA salary Scale

Position Objective

The Agronomist Officer supports the design, coordination, and technical implementation of sustainable, climate-smart, and market-oriented agricultural interventions using solar-powered systems under the SPREAD Project. The role focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity, improving soil health, optimizing rain fed and irrigation water-use efficiency, support the farmers on irrigation water application and usage, build capacity of irrigation users, design irrigation water schedule for the different crop, fruit and vegetables for the three irrigation and strengthening the resilience of target c communities through the application of sustainable, climate-smart, and market-oriented agricultural practices. The position applies Market Systems Development (MSD) principles by strengthening market linkages, supporting agro-dealer networks, improving value chains, and promoting private sector engagement aligned with climate-smart agriculture.

Purpose (Oversight & Technical Leadership)

• Lead the field-level implementation of solar-powered irrigation systems to ensure the delivery of climate-smart agricultural, agroecological, and agroforestry practices, along with effective agronomic interventions.
• Irrigation System Management: Designing and improving irrigation systems such as furrow, basin to maximize efficiency
• Crop-Water Scheduling: Developing schedules based on soil, crop types, and water availability
• Agronomic Advice: Providing technical guidance on land preparation, planting methods, spacing, and organic fertilizer application
• Water User Association Support: Helping organize and strengthen communities’ water user associations (WUAs) to manage resources efficiently
• Promote improved agricultural productivity, enhanced soil health, and the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices among target communities.
• Provide technical support to farmer groups, irrigation cooperatives, agro-dealers, and value chain actors on value-added agronomic practices and sustainable production techniques.
• Ensure quality implementation, including beneficiary targeting, registration, and input distribution.
• Strengthen market systems by linking farmers with traders, cooperatives, extension services, and private sector actors.
• Integrate gender-transformative approaches, ensuring women’s participation, leadership, and equitable decision-making in agriculture.

Engagement

• Coordinate community-based targeting and verification in line with DCA guidelines.
• Facilitate formation and strengthening of livelihood groups (e.g., vegetable producers, irrigation users, agro-dealers).
• Deliver regular agronomic training on: agroecology and agroforestry practices, including backyard gardening, to enhance food security, biodiversity, and sustainable land use through Pest and disease management. Water-efficient irrigation, Integrated soil fertility management, and Climate-smart agriculture practices
• Organize demonstrations, trials, and the introduction of innovative technologies.
• Strengthen crop value chains, including aggregation systems and input supply networks.
• Coordinate with government institutions, research centres, private sector actors, and NGOs.
• Promote conflict-sensitive programming and support peacebuilding initiatives within agricultural activities.

Delivery

• Ensure the timely distribution of agricultural inputs to irrigation beneficiaries and water users’ committees, while providing continuous technical guidance and follow-up to support effective utilization.
• Monitor crop performance and provide advisory services to irrigation beneficiaries to minimize losses and enhance agricultural yields.
• Support Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E), document lessons learned, and report on the performance of irrigation beneficiaries to inform adaptive management and project improvement.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, project standards, and organizational procedures.
• Promote inclusive and gender-responsive agricultural practices throughout implementation.
• Provide technical guidance to Community Development Facilitators.
• Represent DCA in coordination meetings, government engagements, workshops, and evaluation activities.

Job Requirement

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in plant science, Agronomy, Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture, Horticulture, Crop Science, Crop production or related field from a recognized university.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in agricultural production, extension services, irrigation agronomy, or agricultural livelihood projects.
• Strong knowledge of: Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices, Soil fertility management and sustainable land use, Irrigation agronomy and water management, and Pest and disease management.
• Experience in conducting demonstrations and field trials.
• Proven experience working with smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain actors
• Strong hands-on experience in farmer capacity building and provision of field-level technical support
• Practical experience in irrigation agronomy, fruit and vegetable production
• Experience working with NGOs or humanitarian organizations is required
• Experience working in South Omo or other disaster-affected areas of Ethiopia is an advantage
• Experience with EU-funded or donor-funded programs is an asset
• Good understanding of climate-resilient agriculture, crop value chains, and market-based approaches –
• Knowledge of project design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, conflict sensitivity, and cross-cutting issues
• Strong communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Good knowledge of the South Omo context –
• Proficient in English language
• Familiarity with input supply systems, agro-dealer development, and market linkages.
• Ability to integrate gender, inclusion, and conflict-sensitive approaches into agricultural programming.
• Knowledge of local languages (e.g., Dassenech, Nyangatom, or other South Omo languages) is mandatory
• Experience working in the South Omo or pastoralist context is mandatory
• Willingness to live and work in remote areas with frequent field travel.