Position: Program Officer

Organization: Heifer International

Location: Bihar

RESPONSIBILITIES & DELIVERABLES

A. Support project partners in effective implementation of the project and achieve the project objectives (25%)

• Assist project partners in the social capital building
• Assist project partners in staff selection and staff capacity building and orientation
• Assist project partners in various training, farmer’s field trips, exchange visits, study reports
• Assist project partner in the implementation of the project activities
• Assist project partner to ensure quality passing on the gifts and other resources
• Assist the partner in the implementation of the exponential POG with quality
• Assist project partner to develop/produce market-oriented quality products
• Assist partner in following PMD-pro tools and framework
• Support the partner to implement the feedback/changes suggested by the Heifer team
• Staff is selected and trained as per the Heifer’s process
• Training is delivered following the training module, schedule and days
• Project activities are completed on time and on-budget as per the PIP
• Activities and training are supervised in the field and follow-up instructions are given
• Exponential POG and PSRP are completed following the process as per schedule
• Physical passing on of the gifts and assets are tracked, quality is ensured, and achieved within the approved time period
• PMD_Pro tools – project planning, designing, project charter, RACI, Issue Log, PIP, Gantt Chart, project closing – is used across the project

B. Monitoring, review, and reporting of the program (25%)

• Ensure that the partner meets the Heifer’s monitoring and evaluation requirements and the deadlines
• Review the project progress (physical and financial) with partner staff on a monthly basis
• Participate in ongoing partner activities on a regular basis for quality control and improvement
• Ensure that the activity-based re-forecasting is prepared following the participatory method and the other stakeholders (PMC, co-founder, etc.)
• Document and share the best practices
• Promote and ensure the PSRP process at each level in the project
• Work in collaboration and consultation with the Regional Program Office (RPO) and Country Program Office (CPO) team
• Assist in organizing field visit of the Heifer team and other stakeholders
• Activity-based forecast and fund request are submitted to RPO and CPO as per the schedule
• All project progress reports (physical and financial) are reviewed and submitted as per the schedule
• Activity-based re-forecasting is jointly reviewed on a monthly basis and submitted to RPO
• Participated in all field training on a quarterly basis and regularly at the initial stage of the project
• Internal and external field visits are organized following the organizational protocol
• Baseline and GIM survey are completed each year
• Auditors are supported and audit is completed successfully
• All project activity is at par in quality with project standards

C. Sustainable Agriculture Practices (25%)

• Provide leadership to the development, roll out and effective implementation of the agricultural extension model in the project
• Establish and lead market research to continuously evaluate the business environment to refine the model
• Develop/refine strategy, extension model and plan in alignment with the project
• Lead execution of the extension model including on-ground set -up of operations, develop relevant relations with ecosystem actors and effective flow of products and services
• Exercise oversight on the operations of the model, with a focus on quality and diversification of products and services, capacity building, and scale-up in promoting sustainable agriculture systems
• Develop entrepreneurs as per the objectives of the project
• Network with KVK, Agricultural university/institution and bring innovative technology in the project
• Focus on SRI, SWI practices and build skills of the farmers
• Promote a model ‘Kitchen garden’ effective in every farmer level

D. Optimize Agricultural practices in the Project (10%)

• Develop a package of practices in consultation with State Agriculture Universities and KVKs and disseminate the same in the project area
• Crop modeling, soil mapping, and weather modeling
• Adoption of improved agriculture practices
• Prepare and conduct advisory sessions and training for farmers, policymakers and other stakeholders
• Training design, development and delivery; conduct learning sessions provide regular coaching and support during the action period for implementing
• Analyze agricultural data and report on findings
• Maintain records of agricultural yields and services
• Make presentations to farmers, livestock producers, and agriculture businesses
• Analyze soil composition as it relates to plant growth
• Actively involved in practices related to waste matter, increased production and irrigation practices
• Promotion of organic agriculture across the project area and work on Cluster Identification, Diagnostic Study, Feasibility Analysis, Base Line assessment, mobilization of farmers, Business Planning for FPO’s Formed, assessment and audit

E. Reporting, Documentation, and Liaising (10%)

• Liaise and network relevant line departments, KVKs, and state agriculture universities at village and block for leveraging resources
• Prepare official documents, reports, periodic statements and MIS Reports for each project and proactive communication with all stakeholders
• Create agri-business plans for the farmers, facilitate bank and market linkage
• Support monitoring and evaluation of the effects and impact of the project
• Contribute to Program and Project design and strategic discussions

F. Liaison, networking, and collaboration with line agencies (5%)

• Share the Heifer’s model with other stakeholders and build a fruitful relationship with them
• Promotion of cross earning and exchange of the knowledge
• Support the partners in the mobilization of the committed co-funding (Catalytical Leverage Funding)

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture related field, having experience in planning and implementing agricultural development and/or livelihood-related initiatives at the field level and a minimum of three (3) years of experience with an international organization in a similar context is required.