ACTED Job Opportunities: Pastrolist Field School Coordinator

Department: Program
Position: Pastoralist Field School Coordinator

Contract duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)
Location: Nakapiripirit (Uganda) and North Pokot (Kenya)

Starting Date: January 2010

I. Background on ACTED

ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development) is a non-governmental organization created in 1993.

Independent, private and not-for-profit, ACTED respects a strict political and religious impartiality and operates according to non-discrimination and transparency principles.

ACTED’s vocation is to support vulnerable populations worldwide and to accompany them in the construction of a better future.

The programmes implemented by ACTED in Africa, Asia, Middle East and Latin America/Caribbean, aim at addressing the needs of the populations affected by wars, natural catastrophes and/or economical and social crises.

Our interventions seek to cover the multiple aspects of humanitarian and development crises through a multidisciplinary approach which is both global and local, and adapted to each context.

II. Background to the Position

ACTED is currently implementing pilot cross-border drought management interventions spanning both Nakapiripirit district (Karamoja, Uganda) and North Pokot district (Kenya).

These projects include the rehabilitation of communal water facilities (boreholes, dams/pans, springs), the establishment of community-based veterinary services and Pastoralist Field Schools (PFS) to improve animal resistance to drought, as well as the creation of a Drought Early Warning System.

ACTED believes that these activities will build upon and strengthen communities’ preparedness and capacity to manage drought spells.

In addition, they represent an opportunity to mainstream conflict resolution in the region by encouraging different communities to work towards a common purpose.

III. Job Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the Program Manager, the Pastoralist Field School Coordinator will:

• Carry out ground working activities in preparation for the selection of beneficiaries, site and subsequent establishment of Pastoralist Field Schools (PFS)
• Guide the identified beneficiaries through the PFS formalization process, i.e. establishing the PFS, leadership structure, constitutions, bye-laws, registration with the community development office and opening up of bank accounts;
• Facilitate the group action planning process and identify the appropriate learning activities to be integrated into the season-long training schedule;
• Basing on the life cycle of enterprise(s) selected and pastoralists’ agreed priorities, develop a season-long training schedule;
• As the key resident resource person, conduct the regular PFS sessions on a weekly basis following the season-long schedule;
• Guide the PFS groups to put in place and regularly update the appropriate records and reporting formats where necessary;
• Mentor the PFS groups and build their managerial and entrepreneurial skills to enable them become self-reliant;
• Together with the beneficiary PFS groups organize for field days as an integral component of the PFS learning process;
• To establish and maintain a good relationship with the community, the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries and the local authorities.
• To establish strong links with other livestock agencies working in the project field locations and with FAO.
• Monthly reporting;
• Other duties as emerge from the project development.

IV. Qualifications Required

• Minimum Bachelor degree in agriculture, production, livestock or veterinarian science;
• At least 4 years practical work experience with (agro-) pastoralists on animal health, production and/or agriculture;
• Direct work experience with the PFS/FFS approach or at least in providing farmer-to-farmer outreach and back-up services;
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills;
• Proven ability to work creatively and independently both in the field and in the office;
• Highly motivated and with a desire to work with local communities;
• Ability to travel and work in difficult conditions and under pressure;
• Pokot and/or Ngakarimojong language skills a must;
• Applicants who have themselves a pastoralist background will be preferred.

V. Application Procedure

Qualified candidates are invited to send their CV, cover letter and telephone numbers of professional referees to judith.wafoyo @ acted.org or post/hand deliver to the Area Office along Kapenguria Road off White House Junction.

The size of the e-mail must not exceed 2MB.

Application deadline is 30/12/2009.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

ACTED Uganda/Kenya,
Area Finance Administration officer,
P.O box 585, Kapenguria

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