Job Vacancy at Helen Keller International – (OFSP) Field Officer
Job Announcement
Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Field Officer
Background:
Helen Keller International (HKI) is an international, non-profit organization, with 21 country offices worldwide. Created in 1915, HKI’s mission is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged by combating the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition through evidence-based programs. HKI opened in Sierra Leone in 2004 and currently receives funding from USAID, Irish Aid, UNICEF and others.
HKI’s portfolio of programs covers a diverse range of infectious disease control/elimination and nutrition programs that target vulnerable communities, households and family members. HKI is lead partner for the Ministry of Health, Sanitation integrated community-based program to control/eliminate onchocerciasis, lymphatic filariasis, schistosomiasis, and soil transmitted helminths through mass drug administration. Within its nutrition programs, HKI currently supports the government in its two programs; Six Monthly Contact Point and Orange Flesh Sweet Potato.
In line with our global mission, HKI’s main objective in Sierra Leone is to support the government to develop policies and programs that address mortality and morbidity associated with malnutrition; and morbidity and disability caused by neglected tropical diseases and to assist the country to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
Background: The Field Officer will support the implementation of OFSP activities towards ‘Increasing production of nutritious crops and value-added products, their availability, affordability and accessibility to increase dietary diversity, nutrition and food security. He will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to ensure that OFSP farmers go technological through mechanization thereby ensuring 3-4 cycles production per annum. He is also required to monitor and maintain regular OFSP tuber supplies to processors, Supermarkets and Mini Marts by acting as a supervisor for the aggregators that will be located in his operational district(s).
Responsibilities for Irish Aid
- Support the implementation of ‘‘Increasing production of nutritious crops and value-added productsin collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs at district level DAF;
- Promote climate-smart farming via intercropping OFSP with groundnut, mulching, use of organic fertilizer and post-harvest technologies
- Support Farmer-Based Organization (FBOs) adopt best agronomic practices for increase production and productivity;
- Support strengthening linkages among FBOs and aggregators to processors (millers, bakers)
- Support strengthening regular supply of OFSP tubers among producers, processors/bakers and petty traders and Markets especially supermarkets, mini-marts and hotels across the north and north-west
- Support the integration of Reproductive and Child Health program to ensure FBOs have improved Family Planning counselling and access to modern contraceptives;
- Support demand creation to consumers through radio discussion program, community meetings, Pico-videos, WhatsApp, Facebook and through civil societies.
Responsibilities for Latter Days Saints Charities
- Ensure to help all Program Officer meet all deliverables
- Ensure that 228 petty traders across 6 districts in the north and north-west have access to locally produced PeteteMix and are sold in towns and villages nearby PHUs;
- Regular monitoring to ensure the supply chain flows and any glitches are reported and actioned in real-time
- Assist in following up with processors on milling of OFSP flour and distribution to BFC for Peteteh-mix production.
- Assist in ensuring that all HKI tubers bought from farmers are properly sorted and graded before marketing and/or processing by the miller.
Responsibilities for Arab Gulf Program for Development (AGFUND)
- Act as a focal point for District level coordination with Bank for Innovation and Partnership (BIP) and the FBOs;
- Support facilitation of Financial Education training with additional FBOs on the terms and conditions for micro-finance loans;
- Monitor and support bakers to continue production through value chain linkages and follow-up with possible expandable market strategies;
- Assist in following up on BIP beneficiary on cash loan utilization and planting progress;
- Assist in following up with processors on milling OFSP flour and distribution to bakers;
- Assist in following up with bakers on progress of OFSP bread production;
- Coordinate loan repayment reminder to FBOs by following up with repayment plan;
- Promote the use of boiled-mashed and OFSP flour among private sector.
Coordination and Reporting
- Support monthly DAF and quarterly OFSP platform partner zoom meetings;
- Identify and follow up on any potential case study for success story;
- Read all emails and respond without delay when appropriate;
- Compile all photos and share with OFSP PM/Pos and/ communication team;
- Provide trip report with findings, challenges and recommendations and full expense justification within 3 days of return;
- Carry out any additional appropriate tasks that are requested by Helen Keller
Work arrangements: The Field Officer will work in the Nutrition department under the OFSP program and will be based in Bombali District working closely with Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute/MAF with traveling to Freetown Office and other provincial areas as required.
Skills Required:
- Bachalor of Science in Agri-business with relevant experience working with FBOs, bakers and on agricultural microfinance loan
- At least 1-year experience in similar position, preferably with an INGO.
- Attention to detail
- Ability to multi-task
How to apply:
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to:
noting the job title in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until 3rd June 2021.
Please note that a copy of your application letter must be sent to the NGO Desk officer, Ministry of Labor, New England. A photocopy of a valid labor card should be attached to all applications
In the spirit of our namesake, Helen Keller is dedicated to building an inclusive workforce where diversity of all types is fully valued.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, race, caste, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic that has no bearing on the ability to perform the required job duties.
We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need to request an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at the email above or Tel: 0718397967
HELEN KELLER INTL
- DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, TEST, AND INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).
- DOES NOT ASK FOR INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
- DOES NOT RECRUIT THROUGH ANY RECRUITMENT AGENCY.
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