Islamic Relief Worldwide
Islamic Relief Worldwide

Livelihoods Officer – Agriculture (Iraq nationals ONLY)

Job Expired

Job Overview

PURPOSE OF DIVISION:

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an international relief and development charity that envisages a caring world where people unite to respond to the suffering of others, empowering them to fulfil their potential. We are an independent Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in the UK in 1984.  Working in 40 countries, we promote sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease. We also respond to disasters and emergencies, helping people in crisis. Islamic Relief provides support regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender and without expecting anything in return.

 

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) has been working in Iraq for more than 20 years. IRW-Iraq was amongst the few aid agencies those were on the ground since 2003. Islamic Relief Worldwide Iraq is implementing several projects in the sector of livelihoods, WASH, Education, and Protection.

 

Job Purpose:

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Livelihood Officer-Agriculture is responsible for the implementation of the livelihood’s activities of IRW in Sulaymaniyah/Halabja Field Office

 

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Generic responsibilities:

  • Ensure that the country set up comply with IRW policies and donor requirements.
  • Ensure anti-corruption/Fraud focus in procedures.
  • Provide regular analysis and reports.

Specific responsibilities:

Project Implementation and Management :

  • Plan, implement, and manage agricultural livelihood projects focused on improving food security, livelihoods, and resilience in the target communities.
  • Monitor the progress of agricultural interventions and ensure that they align with the project objectives, timelines, and budget constraints.
  • Ensure all agricultural activities comply with the organization’s humanitarian standards and donor requirements.
  • Participate in official/ periodic Meetings and/or Programs/operations coordination Meeting to facilitate in departmental coordination.

 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • HoP as direct line manager, Country Director, FSL and OCWP Coordinator, FM, HR Coordinator as CMT Members and Head of Departments, and MEAL.
  • Admin & Liaison Officer, Procurement Officer, IT Officer and Security Officer as subordinates.

The job holder is accountable for fulfilling his or her roles and responsibilities in line with Islamic values and principles of fairness, humanity, honesty, respect and fair treatment of his/her colleagues and staff.

 

Technical Support :

·         Provide technical expertise on agricultural practices, including crop cultivation, livestock management, irrigation, and pest control.

·         Train and mentor farmers and beneficiaries on improved farming techniques, sustainable agriculture, and climate-smart practices to enhance productivity.

·         Support the development and dissemination of agricultural extension materials.

 

 

Beneficiary Selection and Support :

·         Collaborate with community leaders and stakeholders to identify eligible beneficiaries for agricultural assistance, ensuring transparency and fairness in selection processes.

·         Support beneficiaries with the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, tools, and equipment.

·         Provide ongoing advisory services to beneficiaries to optimize the utilization of resources and agricultural inputs.

 

 

Capacity Building :

·         Conduct training sessions for farmers, cooperatives, and local agriculture extension agents on best agricultural practices, farm management, and sustainable land use.

·         Develop capacity-building programs focusing on agricultural value chains, post-harvest handling, marketing, and Agro-business development.

 

Monitoring and Evaluation :

·         Implement monitoring and evaluation systems to track project progress and outcomes, including conducting field visits to assess crop and livestock performance.

·         Collect and analyze agricultural data to measure the impact of interventions, identify challenges, and recommend solutions.

 

Coordination and Collaboration :

·         Collaborate with local government agencies (such as the Department of Agriculture), NGOs, community-based organizations, and private sector stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to agricultural interventions.

·         Participate in coordination meetings with implementing partners, and other stakeholders to share progress, lessons learned, and best practices.

 

Sustainability and Exit Strategy :

·         Develop sustainability plans to ensure that agricultural livelihoods continue to thrive after the project’s completion, including community ownership and management of resources.

·         Facilitate the establishment of farmer groups, cooperatives, or other structures to support long-term sustainability and market access.

 

Reporting and Documentation :

·         Prepare detailed progress reports, case studies, and success stories for donors, management, and other stakeholders.

·         Document lessons learned and contribute to knowledge-sharing within the organization to improve future interventions.

 

Risk Mitigation and Resilience Building :

·         Identify risks to agricultural livelihoods, such as climate change, environmental degradation, and market fluctuations, and develop mitigation strategies.

·         Report on regular basis to the Programme Coordinator progress and challenges faced by beneficiaries

·         Any other required tasks assigned by line manager.

 

Gender and Inclusion :

·         Ensure that gender considerations and inclusivity are integrated into all agricultural project activities, supporting equal access to resources and opportunities for marginalized groups, including women and youth.

·         Working closely with protection colleagues to ensure gender inclusion approach and protection project driven approaches.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 

It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and empathy with the Islamic values and principles as well as commitment to IRW’s vision and mission.

 

ESSENTIAL:

 

It is essential that the post holder shows a good understanding and empathy with the Islamic Relief values and principles as well as commitment to IRW’s vision and mission.

 

  1. A) EDUCATION/TRAINING:
  • Bachelor Degree in agriculture or any other related field.
  • Professional Certification in agriculture or any other relevant field.

 

  1. B) EXPERIENCE
  • 3-5 years of the field experience in with a Humanitarian relief or development non-governmental organization.
  • Experience working with local communities, government departments (e.g., Departments of Agriculture), and other stakeholders to implement agricultural programs.
  • Experience in agricultural value chain development, including linking farmers to markets, working with agro-processors, and improving market access for smallholder farmers.
  • Proven experience in implementing and managing agricultural projects in humanitarian, development, or rural settings.
  • Experience in working with smallholder farmers, vulnerable populations, and rural communities, focusing on improving food security and livelihoods.
  • Experience in crop production, livestock management, agroforestry, irrigation systems, or climate-smart agriculture techniques.
  • Familiarity with irrigation techniques, including drip irrigation, sprinkle irrigation, and water management in dry or semi-dry areas.

 

  1. C) Key Personal Qualities and Professional Qualifications:
  • Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including MS Word, MS Excel, power point and Outlook
  • Good command in English (written and spoken) and fluency in Kurdish (written and spoken).
  • Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
  • Good planning and organizational skills and efficient work methods.
  • Demonstrated commitment to principles of transparency, accountability, and honesty.
  • A positive problem-solving approach.
  • A commitment to learn and adopt new ideas and approaches
  1. D) Pre-employment Checks:

Any employment with Islamic Relief will be subject to the following checks:

  • Screening clearance
  • Receipt of satisfactory references
  • Criminal Evidence Record.

 

  1. E) COMPETENCIES

Core Values (Required):

  • Diversity and Inclusion.
  • Integrity
  1. F) Core Competencies (Required):
  • Working with People.
  • Drive for Results.

 

  1. G) CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS

 

  • HoP as direct line manager, Country Director, FSL and OCWP Coordinator, FM, HR Coordinator as CMT Members and Head of Departments, and MEAL.
  • Admin & Liaison Officer, Procurement Officer, IT Officer and Security Officer as subordinates.

 

  1. H) PROBLEM-SOLVING (Thinking Environment)
  • Ability to deal with complex situations and solve issues and problems

 

DESIRABLE:

 

  • Advanced Education/Certifications: Ccertifications in project management or agricultural value chains.
  • Extensive Experience: Over 5 years of experience with international NGOs or donor-funded projects, specifically in agricultural value chains, farmer training, and climate-resilient agriculture in water-scarce regions.
  • Technical Skills: Arabic Language (Fluency).

More Information

  • This job has expired!