Agricultural Officer job at Danish Refugee Council (DRC)

Background information about the job or company (e.g., role context, company overview)

DRC Uganda is currently looking for a highly qualified and motivated individual to join our dynamic team as Agricultural Officer.

The role is conditional upon funding being secured for the project.

The overall purpose of the role:

The Agricultural Officer will support the implementation of climate smart crop production activities under the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project in refugee settlements. The role focuses on delivering agricultural extensions, supporting Farmer Field Schools, establishing demonstration plots, strengthening farmer knowledge, and improving adoption of climate resilient practices. The Agricultural Officer will ensure that crop value chain beneficiaries receive appropriate inputs, training and follow up, and will work closely with district authorities, settlement leadership and community-based facilitators to promote improved agronomic practices aligned with project requirements.

Responsibilities or duties:

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Provide agricultural extension support to crop value chain beneficiaries, including training on drought tolerant and early maturing varieties, soil fertility management, integrated pest management and good agronomic practices.
• Roll out Farmer Field Schools and support practical, hands-on learning using the approved curriculum and modules.
• Establish and manage demonstration plots for crop enterprises in each operational zone to showcase climate smart technologies and improved practices.
• Support distribution of climate smart agricultural inputs to targeted households through the e-voucher system, ensuring coordination with farmer groups and agro-dealers.
• Provide follow up mentoring to farmer groups, including on crop management, land preparation, pest control, and post-harvest handling.
• Support Community Based Facilitators and lead farmers with technical guidance and continuous capacity strengthening.
• Contribute to increasing adoption rates of climate resilient crop production techniques across targeted households.
• Facilitate group formation and strengthening under Farmer Institutional Development, including recordkeeping, leadership and collective actions.
• Support joint planning and supervision missions with district production teams, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
• Ensure that crop production activities integrate environmental safeguards, conflict sensitivity and inclusion measures.
• Maintain accurate field level data on training conducted, inputs received, adoption progress and demonstration plot performance.
• Submit timely inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual reports including geo referenced photos, beneficiary data and crop performance information.

Qualifications or requirements (e.g., education, skills)

About you

To be successful in this role, we expect you to have a minimum of 5 years of experience in crop production, agricultural extension, climate smart agriculture or related field. Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or related field
• Experience supporting smallholder farmers in Uganda, preferably in refugee hosting districts.
• Practical skills in soil fertility management, integrated pest management, crop husbandry and demonstration plot management.
• Experience applying participatory extension methodologies such as Farmer Field Schools.
• Knowledge of climate smart agriculture practices and drought resilient crop varieties.
• Ability to work with community structures, Farmer Field Schools, and farmer groups.
• Experience with data collection, beneficiary tracking and field reporting using digital tools.
• Familiarity with government extension systems and collaboration with district agricultural officers
• Fluency in written & Spoken English.

Desirable

• Additional training in climate smart agriculture, Farmer Field School facilitation, or integrated pest management is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in refugee settlements is an asset.

Any other provided details (e.g., benefits, work environment, team info, or additional notes)

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Designation of Duty Station: Refugee Settlements in Uganda (district depending on assignment)

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees; please refer to our website.

• Provide agricultural extension support to crop value chain beneficiaries, including training on drought tolerant and early maturing varieties, soil fertility management, integrated pest management and good agronomic practices.
• Roll out Farmer Field Schools and support practical, hands-on learning using the approved curriculum and modules.
• Establish and manage demonstration plots for crop enterprises in each operational zone to showcase climate smart technologies and improved practices.
• Support distribution of climate smart agricultural inputs to targeted households through the e-voucher system, ensuring coordination with farmer groups and agro-dealers.
• Provide follow up mentoring to farmer groups, including on crop management, land preparation, pest control, and post-harvest handling.
• Support Community Based Facilitators and lead farmers with technical guidance and continuous capacity strengthening.
• Contribute to increasing adoption rates of climate resilient crop production techniques across targeted households.
• Facilitate group formation and strengthening under Farmer Institutional Development, including recordkeeping, leadership and collective actions.
• Support joint planning and supervision missions with district production teams, the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.
• Ensure that crop production activities integrate environmental safeguards, conflict sensitivity and inclusion measures.
• Maintain accurate field level data on training conducted, inputs received, adoption progress and demonstration plot performance.
• Submit timely inputs for monthly, quarterly and annual reports including geo referenced photos, beneficiary data and crop performance information.

• Practical skills in soil fertility management, integrated pest management, crop husbandry and demonstration plot management.
• Experience applying participatory extension methodologies such as Farmer Field Schools.
• Knowledge of climate smart agriculture practices and drought resilient crop varieties.
• Ability to work with community structures, Farmer Field Schools, and farmer groups.
• Experience with data collection, beneficiary tracking and field reporting using digital tools.
• Familiarity with government extension systems and collaboration with district agricultural officers
• Fluency in written & Spoken English.

• A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Crop Science, Agronomy, or related field
• Experience supporting smallholder farmers in Uganda, preferably in refugee hosting districts.
• Additional training in climate smart agriculture, Farmer Field School facilitation, or integrated pest management is an added advantage.
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in refugee settlements is an asset.