Position: Outreach Project Officer
Reports to: Farmer Communication & Outreach Manager
Project: BvAT – Enviu Joint Project: Building a Regenerative Food system.

Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT) seeks to recruit a competent and highly motivated individual as a its Outreach Project Officer under Farmer Communication & Outreach, to be based in Makueni,
Kenya.

About Biovision Africa Trust (BvAT)
BvAT is a not–for–profit organization established in Kenya in 2009 and is situated on the main campus of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe) in Kasarani, Nairobi. The Trust’s goal is to alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Kenya and other African countries, through dissemination of information and knowledge on appropriate technology, to improve human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Through the Farmer Communication Programme (FCP), BvAT has farmer resource centres established in 11 counties in Kenya as part of the Farmer Communication & Outreach mandate providing opportunities for interacting directly with farmers via trainings, demonstrations, information/knowledge and experience sharing, etc to learn and develop capacity to adopt about practices and technologies in ecological sustainable agriculture (ESA). BvAT also coordinates the African Union–led Ecological Organic Agriculture Initiative (EOA–I) in West and Eastern Africa, and the Knowledge Hub for Eastern Africa (the hub being part of Knowledge Centre on Organic Agriculture (KCOA) in Africa).

Job Purpose
The Outreach Project Officer will successfully execute project activities as outlined under the Regenerative FoodFlow Program work plans. The officer will directly engage with and support the target smallholder farmers to transition from conventional to regenerative agriculture (RA) practices and stimulating them to engage in RA business ventures.
Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Guided by the farmer training transition design, carry out farmer trainings and on–farm demos with project farmers providing relevant knowledge and skills on ecological sustainable agriculture practices and technologies.
  
• Maintain and monitor the project farmers’ database (name, gender, group affiliation, and age group, key farming enterprises) to ensure it is up to date on key areas of information needed.
  
• Gather evidence of how target farmers are engaging in RA ventures building.
  
• Work closely with the organic farmer champions (TOFAs) to conduct regular farmer visits and follow–ups to deepen skills and knowledge acquired from farmer training activities.
  
• Facilitate linkages with Partner venture builders and other organic sector value chain actors to support improved access to markets by the target farmers.
  
• Liaise closely with other BvAT programmes and projects namely Infonet – Biovision, TOF Radio, Mkulima Mbunifu, and TOF Magazine to contribute on content development and dissemination.
  
• Foster and leverage on partnerships with key national and county level partners for creating impact and taking to scale desired results.
  
• Ensure project equipment and materials provided for project implementation are prudently used, well maintained, and required records kept.
  
• Participate in farmer resource centre monthly planning and reporting meetings.
  
• Prepare and submit timely monthly plans and reports to the Farmer Communication and Outreach manager.
  
• Ensure timely tracking and reporting of project implementation and achievement of expected results against planned objectives and targets.
  
• Maintain and update project hard copy and electronic records and files.
  
• Liaise with the Farmer Communication and Outreach manager and the finance department to ensure work plans and budgets are planned carefully, monitored during activity implementation to ensure value for money.
  
• Ensure project materials and activities fully comply with branding and visibility procedures and guidelines.
  
• Perform other related duties as may be required and assigned by the supervisor.
  

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture.
  
• Project Management certification is an added advantage.
  
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
  

Required Skills and Competencies

• Project Management – Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation.
  
• Background knowledge in agroecology and organic agriculture.
  
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  
• Training and facilitation skills.
  
• Computer use skills – demonstration of use relevant software applications.
  
• Negotiation and communication skills.
• Networking and partnership management skills.
• Fundraising/resource mobilization skills.
  
• Creativity, innovative skills.
  

Behavioural Skills

• Teamwork skills.
  
• People management skills.
  
• Effective collaborator and positive influencer.
  
• Strong facilitation and organisational capabilities.
  
• Strong work ethics.
  
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written).
  

Working Relationships
Internal Relationships: Interacts frequently with the FCP Coordinator, Farmer Communication & Outreach Project Manager, Farmer Field Assistant based in Makueni, HR Department and the Finance Department.
External Relationships: Enviu project Team in Makueni, contact with research and development partners, including icipe, KALRO, KEFRI and Ministry of Agriculture, County governments.

How to Apply?
If you believe you qualify for this position then please apply with your CV and cover letter as one file indicating a summary of your key qualifications and expected salary and benefits to info@biovisionafricatrust.org with the job title: Farmer Communication & Outreach Project Officer, on the subject line to be received no later than August 26, 2022. We will not accept applications without a CV and cover letter. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.