National Irrigation Agronomist – full-time expert (for SDR-2)

Job Description

GOPA Consultants are recruiting applicants for the position of National Irrigation Agronomist

The role of the National Irrigation Agronomist is to contribute to the work of the PIU in the planning and implementation of all measures related to agriculture including the work with water user groups. The National Irrigation Agronomist will be based in the Afar region.

Project Background:

The overall FC and TC programme aims at strengthening the drought resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in selected Woredas of the Afar region. The expert will focus on component 2:

• SDR 2: Rehabilitation of existing and construction of new irrigation schemes for farm and range land based on perennial or seasonal available surface water as well as water –harvesting systems and introduction of economically viable agro-pastoral farming systems for the sustainable production of food and fodder.

Academic Qualification Requirements:

Postgraduate qualification in agronomy (agriculture, agro-economy, rural development, etc.);

Profile Qualifications:

• At least 7 years of practical work experience in the field of irrigation agriculture (focus
• on small-scale irrigation would be an asset);
• Good knowledge in assessing the economic feasibility of investments in the field of agriculture and rural development;
• Practical work experience with estimating investment costs and recurrent costs;
• Proven knowledge in the economics of irrigation agronomy;
• Experience with international organisations, public sector institutions and/or funding agencies;
• Proficiency in the English language; proficiency in Afar language would be an asset.

Specific Tasks: The tasks of this expert are comprehensive and include (but are not necessarily restricted to) the following:

• Advise on the cultivation of food crops, vegetables, fruit trees and fodder crops;
• Design and assist in implementing demonstration plots for innovative agricultural crops;
• Provide technical support to the conservation and marketing of local agricultural products;
• Contribute to the preparation of land use plans together with the local population and in coordination with German Technical Cooperation (GIZ);
• Assist local communities in setting up water user groups (associations);
• Work together with the civil /hydraulic engineer and the soil and on planning and construction of appropriate rural water infrastructures;
• Taking part in supervision of works, acceptance of works;
• Contribute to the elaboration of environmental and social impact assessments for the individual measures to be implemented;
• Establish baselines and follow-up of project indicators.

Other Details

Project start: end of 2016/start of 2017

Project duration: 39 months

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send your CV in English to Mr. Ulrich Schack Ulrich.Schack@gopa.de and cc Amalia.taborga@gopa.de by Friday August 19th 2016.

Only applicants advancing beyond the initial evaluation phase for the post will be replied to.

About the Organization

Specialists in developing and transition economies

GOPA is Germany’s leading development consultancy and member of one of the strongest consulting groups in Europe.

Since its founding in 1965, GOPA Consultants has successfully implemented over 3,000 management and training projects for national and international financing agencies as well as private industry in more than 130 countries.

Our reputation for excellence and efficiency is built on almost half a century of planning and implementing technical assistance projects in developing and transition economies.

GOPA invests in its personnel through regular professional training and intensive exchange of experience with leading German and European institutions. In particular, the majority of its staff members has been trained in EC/EDF procedures and procurement rules, and GIZ's management model "Capacity WORKS".

The net result: extensive and proven global expertise in development issues, and access to a qualified network of local specialists and partner organisations around the world.

More information