Details of Agriculture Extension Officer HSS

     BACKROUND

The Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) is part of a regional initiative by the World Bank to provide a comprehensive framework to intervene at both the national and regional levels. This Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) aims to tackle the underlying structural challenges of food insecurity and reduce beneficiaries' vulnerability to unpredictable climate, crisis, and conflict events. It seeks to achieve this by rejuvenating Somalia's agri-livestock research institutions, seed systems, and extension services and developing community institutions that can anchor adaptation of climate-smart agri-livestock practices, strengthening the availability of water and improved rangelands management for resilient agriculture and livestock production; support animal health services, enhancing the integration of the production systems to domestic and regional markets, with appropriate investments in food safety and value addition, and establishing an enabling policy and institutional framework at a sub-national, national and regional level capable of supporting food systems resilience for Somalia.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) for Somalia Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) will be 'to increase preparedness against food insecurity and improve the resilience of food systems in targeted project areas of Somalia. Progress toward the PDO will be measured using five PDO indicators and intermediate indicators. All relevant indicators will be disaggregated by gender (men and women) and age (youth and adult).

The Hirshabelle State of Somalia is establishing a core multi-sectoral Project Implementation Unit (PIU) supervised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation. The role of the PIU is to support the management, coordination, implementation monitoring, and evaluation of project activities. The PIU will be staffed with the following positions: - State Project Coordinator, Finance Management Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Safeguards Specialist, M&E Specialist, and other technical Agricultural and Livestock specialists.

2. Scope of Work and Responsibilities  

The State agriculture extension officer position will be a full-time contracted staff position assigned to the PIU of the Hirshabelle Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation of Somalia. The agriculture extension officer will be responsible for providing technical assistance, training, and advisory services to farmers in Hirshabelle State.

The agriculture extension officer will be assigned to the following duties:

·         Provide technical support to the SPCU in the development of its capacity-building-related programs.

·         Develop and implement agricultural extension programs aligned with the FSRP objectives.

·         Provide technical training to farmers on good agricultural practices, soil fertility management, pest control, and climate-smart agriculture.

·         Support the formation and strengthening of farmer cooperatives and groups.

·         Facilitate on-farm demonstrations and practical training sessions to promote innovative farming techniques.

·         Conduct regular field visits to monitor farmer activities and provide tailored recommendations.

·         Support delivery of agricultural and Livestock extension and advisory services to communities through the CIGs/CDDC and Producer organizations

·         Facilitate dissemination and adoption of Livestock and Agriculture TIMPs to community institutions and FPOs

·         Work closely with local authorities, agricultural research institutions, and development partners to disseminate improved agricultural technologies.

·         Assist in the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, and farm tools.

·         Promote sustainable water and soil conservation practices to enhance agricultural productivity.

·         Organize and participate in agricultural and livestock extension meetings, workshops, and community sensitization campaigns.

·         Support farmers and pastoralist in accessing markets and linking them with potential buyers and value chain actors.

·         Ensure gender-inclusive approaches in all extension activities, encouraging the participation of women and youth in agriculture.

Skills and qualifications

3.     Selection criteria: The selection shall be based on qualifications, experience and skills of the candidate and followed by an interview. The qualifications, experience and competencies include:

·         A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Agricultural Extension, or a related field.

·         A Master’s degree in the relevant field is an added advantage.

·         At least 3–5 years of experience in agricultural extension services, farmer training, or rural development projects.

·         Proven experience working with smallholder farmers, cooperatives, and community-based organizations in Somalia.

·         Familiarity with climate-smart agriculture (CSA), soil fertility management, pest and disease control, and irrigation systems.

·         Experience in implementing World Bank-funded projects or other donor-funded agricultural programs is preferred.

·         Strong understanding of agricultural extension methodologies, participatory approaches, and farmer field schools (FFS).

·         Experience in supporting the formation and strengthening of farmer cooperatives and groups.Knowledge of drought-resistant crops, conservation agriculture, and sustainable farming practices relevant to Somalia’s climate conditions.

·         Ability to develop and deliver training sessions, demonstrations, and awareness programs for farmers.

·         Experience in supporting farmers and pastoralists in accessing markets and linking them with potential buyers and value chain actors

·         Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Somali and English.

·         Ability to prepare technical reports, training materials, and extension bulletins for farmers.

·         Strong interpersonal skills to engage with farmers, government officials, NGOs, and donor agencies.

·         Demonstrated ability to mobilize and work closely with local communities, farmer cooperatives, and village-level committees.

·         Strong facilitation skills for conducting farmer trainings, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions.

·         Understanding of gender inclusion in agriculture and willingness to promote women’s participation in extension services.

·          Willingness to travel extensively within rural areas of Hirshabelle State and conduct field visits to support farmers.

·         Ability to work in challenging environments with minimal supervision.

·         Adherence to World Bank and FSRP policies on transparency, accountability, and good governance.

4.     REPORTING

The Agriculture Extension Officer will report to the State Project Coordinator.

5.   Duration of Assignment

The Agriculture Extension Officer shall be contracted for 12 months.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Hirshabelle State of Somalia now invites eligible consulting(“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the above-mentioned Services. Interested consultants must provide the following (i) Curriculum Vitae (CV) with 3 reference persons; (ii) copies of certificates of academic qualifications; and (iii) cover letter indicating that they are qualified to perform the services.

How to apply

Submission Requirements

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to section III, para 3.14,3.16 & 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers: Procurement in Investment Projects Financing Goods, Works, Non -Consulting and Consulting Services, July 2016, revised November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

FSRP Project

Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigations

MoAI-Hirshabelle State

Jowhar District Somalia

Email Address: project.co@moa.hs.so Copy: ahmed.xusein@hotmail.com