Officer-Livelihood & Agriculture

Job Context

• Eco-Social Development Organization (ESDO) started its journey in 1988 with a noble vision to stand in solidarity with the poor and marginalized. Being a peoples' centered organization, ESDO envisioned for a society which will be free from inequality and injustice, a society where no child will cry from hunger and no life will be ruined by poverty. Near about three decades of relentless efforts to make this happen, ESDO has embraced new grounds and opened up new horizons to help the disadvantaged and vulnerable people to bring meaningful and lasting changes in their lives. During this long span, ESDO has adapted with the changing situation and provided the most time-bound services especially for the poor and disadvantaged. A community focused and people centered approach has been adapted by ESDO while consideration was given to the national policy and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as its guiding principle. ESDO is one of the most dynamic organizations expanding its development interventions across 422 upazilas under 56 districts of Bangladesh covering over 15 million poor and vulnerable people.
• The Officer-Livelihood & Agriculture is responsible for supervising and supporting the Community Development Officer to ensure the integration of objectives and the effective implementation of Action to Climate Change for Ensuring Sustainable Solutions (ACCESS) project activities in the field. The Officer-Livelihood & Agriculture will lead agriculture-related project interventions, focusing on quality implementation, efficient coordination, liaison, project impact, and results measurement. S/he will drive demand-driven innovations and interventions while upholding ESDO’s commitment to gender equality, diversity, and core values. S/he will work closely with local communities, farmers, and stakeholders to identify agricultural needs and challenges, facilitating community meetings, focus group discussions, and participatory planning sessions. The Officer-Livelihood & Agriculture is also responsible for establishing networks, linkages, and collaborations with Union, Upazila, and District levels, as well as like-minded organizations. S/he will coordinate and liaise with district and upazila-level GoB offices (such as Upazila Agriculture, Upazila Livestock, and Upazila Fisheries), and service providers. S/he will ensure quality implementation and reporting (monthly, semi-annual, and annual) as per project requirements. Based at the District Office, the Officer-Livelihood & Agriculture will dedicate approximately 80% of their time to field activities.

Authority:

• Directly supervise the project's Community Development Officer.
• Reporting to: Project Manager
• ESDO is inviting applications from interested qualified candidates for the following position.

Job Responsibilities

• Implementation of Agricultural Interventions.
• Assist in designing and implementing agriculture-based livelihood interventions, such as improved cropping systems, soil health management, and water conservation techniques.
• Promote the adoption of climate-smart agriculture and eco-friendly technologies to enhance productivity and sustainability.
• Work closely with farmers to identify and address challenges related to agricultural practices and adopt appropriate solutions.
• Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Monitor the progress and impact of agricultural livelihood initiatives, ensuring the effective delivery of project outputs.
• Collect and analyze data on crop yields, income changes, and community feedback to assess the effectiveness of interventions.
• Prepare reports detailing project outcomes, lessons learned, and areas for improvement, sharing insights with the Project Manager and other stakeholders.
• Resource Management.
• Coordinate the distribution of agricultural inputs, tools, and resources to project beneficiaries.
• Ensure the efficient and transparent use of project resources and maintain accurate records of distributions, activities, and expenditures.
• Monitor the utilization of inputs and resources, ensuring compliance with project guidelines and donor requirements.
• Networking and Partnerships.
• Build and maintain relationships with relevant government agencies (e.g., Upazila Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries offices), NGOs, and other stakeholders to leverage additional support and resources.
• Foster collaboration with local organizations and service providers to strengthen the project’s reach and impact.
• Represent the project in local networks, forums, and meetings to promote sustainable agriculture practices and climate adaptation.
• Communication and Advocacy.
• Promote awareness of sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and the benefits of climate-smart agriculture through community outreach and media.
• Prepare and disseminate educational materials on agricultural best practices and environmental sustainability.
• Advocate for the adoption of eco-friendly technologies and practices within the community, encouraging participation in project activities.
• Reporting and Documentation.
• Regularly update the Project Manager on project progress, challenges, and needs, ensuring timely reporting and documentation of activities.
• Prepare monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports as required, ensuring they align with the project’s objectives and donor requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of agricultural interventions, beneficiaries, and outcomes.
• Field Engagement.
• Spend approximately 80% of working time in the field, engaging with local communities, farmers, and stakeholders to implement project activities and monitor progress.
• Facilitate community meetings, focus group discussions, and participatory planning sessions to ensure the project is responsive to local needs.