Expert agronomist officer Full Time NEW

Introduction:

Positive Action for Development (PAD) is an indigenous, non-governmental, non-profit, secular, and legally registered Ethiopian Civil Society Organization (Registration No. 2330). PAD is committed to promoting a just, compassionate, and inclusive society where all people can thrive. Guided by the values of optimism, integrity, kindness, excellence, and impactful action, PAD works to provide effective humanitarian and development support to communities in need.

PAD is currently seeking qualified and motivated individuals for the following position(s)

Position Details:

• Position: Expert agronomist officer
• Number required: 1 (one)
• Duty Station: Dubluk Woredas, Borena Zone, Oromia Regional State
• Language: Proficiency in English and Fluency in the local language(s) of the project area are mandatory.
• Employment Type: Contractual, project-based position subject to project funding and duration

Job Summary:

The Expert Agronomist Officer is responsible for leading and coordinating the implementation of agriculture and livelihood interventions under the Project in Dubluk Woreda. The position will support climate-resilient agricultural production systems, strengthen agricultural extension services, improve household food security, and contribute to resilient livelihood opportunities for vulnerable agro-pastoral communities.

The role focuses on supporting irrigated crop production, strengthening extension systems, facilitating farmer capacity development, promoting nutrition-sensitive and climate-smart agriculture, and ensuring effective delivery of technical assistance throughout the agricultural production cycle.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Planning and Implementation

• Lead planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of agriculture and livelihood activities under the project work plan.
• Support implementation of sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural production interventions.
• Coordinate agricultural input distribution and ensure timely and accountable delivery to target households.
• Facilitate the implementation of irrigated crop production support activities for targeted farming households.
• Promote productive use of irrigation infrastructure and improved agricultural practices.

Technical Agriculture and Extension Support

• Organize and deliver refresher training for public extension agronomists and local agriculture actors.
• Provide practical farmer training on sustainable production techniques, climate-smart agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, and agroforestry approaches.
• Deliver technical assistance throughout land preparation, planting, crop management, harvesting, and post-harvest periods.
• Promote diversified production systems including drought-resilient and market-oriented crops.
• Support demonstration activities and facilitate adoption of improved agricultural technologies and practices.
• Strengthen collaboration with district agriculture offices and community agricultural structures

Livelihood and Market Systems Support

• Integrate basic business management and market orientation into farmer support activities.
• Promote household income diversification and local value chain development.
• Facilitate linkages between producers, cooperatives, service providers, and markets.
• Support community-based approaches that strengthen long-term resilience and economic inclusion.

Monitoring, Reporting and Learning

• Conduct routine field supervision, beneficiary follow-up, assessments, surveys, and monitoring visits.
• Maintain accurate project records and prepare weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.
• Track progress against project indicators and document lessons learned, success stories, and good practices.
• Ensure accountability mechanisms and community feedback processes are functional.

Coordination and Representation

• Coordinate closely with local government offices, community leaders, project partners, and stakeholders.
• Participate in technical coordination meetings and represent PAD at local platforms when delegated.
• Ensure integration of gender, safeguarding, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability across project activities.

Qualification: Bachelor’s Degree in Plant Science, Agronomy, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Agricultural Economics, or related disciplines. Master’s Degree in a relevant field is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in agriculture, food security and livelihoods, agricultural extension, or rural development programming.
• Demonstrated experience implementing farmer support and agricultural production activities.
• Experience in climate-smart agriculture, irrigation-based production, and agricultural training approaches is highly desirable.
• Experience working with NGOs and donor-funded projects is an advantage.
• Experience working with government agriculture structures and community institutions is preferred.

Skills:

• Strong technical knowledge in agronomy and sustainable agriculture.
• Knowledge of climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive agricultural approaches.
• Strong facilitation and adult learning skills.
• Excellent planning, monitoring, reporting, and analytical skills.
• Experience with data collection tools and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work independently in remote operational environments.
• Adaptable and innovative with a solutions-focused mindset.

Other Considerations:

• Willingness to travel frequently to field locations, including remote areas.
• Commitment to upholding humanitarian values and the organization’s mission.

Competencies

• Action facilitations
• Communications
• Ethics & Values
• Teamwork
• Behavioral Flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Initiative
• Interpersonal Relations
• Reasonable Judgment

Equal Employment Opportunity

• PAD promotes fairness, equity, and diversity in the workplace. We welcome applications from qualified individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, religion, or other personal status.
• Hiring decisions are made solely based on skills, experience, and suitability for the role.
  PAD is committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment where all staff can thrive, contribute meaningfully, and grow professionally.

Zero Tolerance for Misconduct

• PAD maintains zero tolerance for abuse, harassment, exploitation, or misuse of power. All staff, volunteers, and partners are expected to follow PAD’s policies and uphold our values at all times.
  All successful candidates will undergo background checks and must adhere to PAD’s code of conduct and safeguarding principles.

Recruitment Flexibility

• PAD reserves the right to:
• Recruit more than the required candidates from this announcement.
• Keep qualified applicants in our database for future similar roles.

Important Notice on Recruitment Fraud

• If you encounter any misconduct, fraud, or corruption related to PAD’s recruitment process or operations, please report immediately via:
• Email: safeguarding@padethiopia.org
• Link: https://one-pad.org/guest_new/public_add_issue
• Toll-Free Hotline: 9135
• PAD treats all reports confidentially and takes them seriously, ensuring appropriate action is taken.