Background of the Organization

Wako Gutu Foundation (WGF) is non- governmental development organization established with overall objective of promoting inclusion of pastoral and agro-pastoral communities in the development process and ensuring that the pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are sufficiently benefiting from the development gains realized in the country. The foundation was established by the community leaders in the lowland areas of Bale zone in memory of General Wako Gutu, a person who witnessed a lifetime commitment for promoting social and economic welfare of pastoral communities in Ethiopia. It has been registered as Ethiopian resident charity organization by Agency for Civil Society Organizations bearing a registration number 0457. Its registration has been renewed in February 2016 for three consecutive years by the same authority.
To this end, Wako Gutu Foundation planned to recruit energetic and skillful applicants for the position of Agricultural Extension Worker.

 Job Summary:

The Agricultural Extension Worker will provide technical supports in capacity building of the beneficiaries in sustainable organic agricultural practices and establish and maintain relationships with Farmer Groups, liaise with Project Partners in implementation areas.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Formulate detailed work plans to implement activities which address identified sustainable agriculture development needs of project participants, families and communities
• Facilitate and coordinate, training and retraining plans for selected farmer groups or associations and advise on any other emerging development needs
• Make sure that the cross cutting issues like Gender, Environment and Climate change are well mainstreamed in training and capacity building of target groups in project areas.
• Reporting on follow up, trainings, support provided to groups, monitoring and evaluation activities, farm productivity and other multiple local agricultural activities.
•  Contribute to documentation of success stories and case studies
• Ensure farmers are followed up regularly and re-training programs in sustainable agriculture are implemented.
• Facilitate in house and on field peer farmers learning platforms for project  participants
• Training families in good farm management practices.
• Collecting data for continuous updates.
• Actively contribute to grant proposal development as required
• Ensure good networking and collaboration relationships with government and other development partners in the project area

Duty Station: 

Bale Zone, Berbere District

Reports to: 

Area Project Coordinator

Employment Type: 

One year contract period with possibility of extension

Number of the vacant post: 

1 (One)

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant should preferably hold a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural extension, plant science or general agriculture or horticultural development.
• At least three years relevant work experience in providing extension services.
• Previous experience in implementation of interventions involving application of sustainable agriculture.
• Knowledge of Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLA) methodologies.
• Experience in community development and NGO work.
• Ability and skills in designing training manuals and deliver adult training.
• Must have a valid riding permit  and ability to ride a motorbike for long distances
• Excellent communication skills.
• Good report writing skills.
• Good networking skills.
• Able to work well with government and other development partners.
• Ability to manage conflict and deal positively with setbacks.
• Have empathy with Wako Gutu Foundation and core values.
• An initiator and self-driven.
• Good team player and high degree of flexibility.
• Experiences in irrigation agronomy, dry land Agriculture and small holder farmers’ agricultural development are advantageous.
• Proficiency in writing, speaking, listening and reading Afaan Oromo language is mandatory.
• Proficiency in both writing and speaking English language is also a must and knowledge of other languages is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Afaan Oromo is a must; understanding local dialect and experience in working with pastoral and agro-pastoral communities are advantageous.
• Skill in promoting and coordination of agricultural activities.
• Basic computer skills; such as Microsoft word, Power point, Excel and etc.