The Norwegian Refugee Council in Iraq is looking for a Tuz-based Livelihoods Officer for field implementation of agricultural livelihoods programming. This role focuses on providing support to agricultural value chains, technical training for farmers, and strengthening linkages between crop producers and local markets.

1.1 GENERIC RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Ensure adherence with NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines
2. Implement delegated Livelihoods project portfolio related to market according to plan of action
3. Prepare and develop status reports as required by management
4. Ensure proper filing of documents
5. Ensure that projects target beneficiaries most in need, and explore and asses new and better ways to assist
6. Promote and share ideas for technical improvement
7. Support with referrals to other NRC sectors or through external referral mechanisms

1.2 SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

8. Participate in agriculture livelihoods needs assessment to inform programme design and implementation.
9. Provide crop and livestock extension services to targeted small holder producers in production technologies, collection and harvest, products handling, packing, processing and access to market through linkages to the value chains using market intelligence
10. Plan agricultural extension services targeting small holder farmers within key agri-food (crop and livestock) value chains and local partners including extension services ecosystem.
11. Participate in the selection process of agriculture inputs beneficiaries including active involvement in the applications’ evaluation committees and conduct assessment visits to possible beneficiaries
12. Supervise the distribution of the agriculture livelihoods activation grants to selected beneficiaries.
13. Organize establishment and running of farmer field schools (both crops and livestock) in coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure sustainability of the approaches
14. Facilitate the establishment and strengthening of small scale on-farm processing, establishment and strengthening of short value chains and promoting innovative market linkages for agricultural products between producer groups and market actors
15. Establish and maintain strong working relationships with targeted communities, including local leaders, project committees and business dealers, ensuring that they are informed and participate
16. Conduct market assessments and mapping to understand how local agriculture markets works and are linked to enable appropriate programming.
17. Plan and conduct agriculture inputs (both in-kind and cash-based) distributions as per SOPs
18. Conduct regular project monitoring and update the Project Coordinator on progress in the field
19. Work closely with veterinary department and extension workers to provide the most proper extension services to the livestock and crop beneficiaries
20. Ensure that activities are implemented in line with principles of accountability and compliance
21. Support market assessments, mapping, beneficiary selection, Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) surveys and end line surveys to inform program design and implementation
22. Support cross-cutting interventions including protection and gender mainstreaming
23. Implement NRC Community Engagement Approach
24. Daily and weekly Reporting of project activities as well as distribution reporting
25. Raise procurement requisition as per procurement & spending plans for agriculture related activities

1. COMPETENCIES

Competencies are important in order for the employee and the organisation to deliver desired results. They are relevant for all staff and are divided into the following two categories:

2.1 PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES 

These are skills, knowledge and experience that are important for effective performance.

Generic professional competencies

1. Minimum 2 years of experience in project positions in humanitarian or recovery contexts
2. Experience from working in complex and volatile contexts
3. Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
4. Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile
5. Fluency in English, both written and verbal

Context/ Specific skills, knowledge and experience

• University graduate in Agriculture or equivalent fields
• Knowledge of local agricultural practices and value chains
• Understanding of principles of crop farming and livestock management
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills
• Overall good knowledge of geography and local population demographics/dynamics
• Experience with capacity-building and training approaches and methods
• Experience with community engagement approaches and principles
• Experience with community engagement and development of civil society capacity
• Knowledge of protection, gender, and coordination in humanitarian work
• Knowledge of with vulnerable groups; conflict-sensitivity, compassion, discretion
• Analytical mindset and critical thinking skills
• Fluency in Arabic, both written and verbal
• Willingness to travel regularly within Kirkuk and Salah al-Din