Rural Development Advisor Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is the implementing agency of the Federal Republic of Germany for technical and international cooperation. It offers flexible, sustainable and effective solutions in political, economic and social change processes. Most of the work of GIZ is commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). GIZ also operates on behalf of other German ministries as well as public and private bodies in Germany and abroad. These include the European Commission, the United Nations, the World Bank and governments of other countries.

The GIZ Agriculture and Food Security (AgriFood) in Zambia aims at contributing to improve climate-resilient agricultural production and competitiveness along selected value chains (in order to increase incomes of small and medium farmers), to improve access to agricultural finance and to improve the food and nutrition situation of poor rural households. From November 2022 the cluster implements the project “Agroecological Innovations for Smallholder Pest Management” in Malawi, Uganda and Zambia, which is a measure under the “Fund for the Promotion of Innovations in the Agri-Food Sector” (i4Ag), a global fund financed by the special initiative “ONEWORLD no Hunger” (SEWOH).

The aim of the fund is: “Gender-sensitive and sustainable innovations for the agri-food sector are applied by relevant actors”. Specifically, the measure aims to identify innovations in the areas of mechanisation, digitalisation, renewable energies, cooperation with the private sector as well as agricultural research and extension, to form corresponding innovation partnerships between private and/or public organisations and to support them in testing and disseminating these innovations.

The measure is also aiming at sustainably strengthening the resilience of smallholder farmers to pest infestation in the cultivation of crops. To this end, an applied research project is being carried out for the participatory testing and local adaptation of agro-ecological innovations for pest management in the countries of Malawi, Zambia and Uganda.

In this context, the project is seeking a suitable candidate for the following position in Zambia:

Advisor for Rural Development based in Lusaka

REF: GIZ_AGRI_ARD

Main tasks and responsibilities:

Supporting the project coordinator with project management related topics, including administrative and logistical processes, the participatory elaboration of key capacity works instruments as well as planning of interventions. Preparation of key information/materials for (policy) communication (donors, policy makers, public) and contribution to the reporting on project results.
Responsible for the implementation of the country package Zambia, i.e. through preparation of trainings, workshops and management of consultancies in ensuring the meeting of deadlines and quality standards of consultancies according to project documents in commissioning documents
Provide policy advise to the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) on Integrated Pest Management (esp. organic fall army worm – FAW – management) in the different departments as well as reviewing current policies, analysing information relating to the sector, developing more effective strategies together with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE) and relevant actors from the GIZ AgriFood Cluster. Facilitate policy dialogue on IPM (esp. FAW management) issues and foster harmonization with other cooperating partners and projects.
Create linkages and consult with various stakeholders and devise approaches of improving ICIPE relationships with the relevant partners, building strategic partnerships and adequate exchange platforms for improved implementation and resource use.
Support ICIPE in the development of joint gender sensitive knowledge and training materials and improved information dissemination on FAW for digital extension (radio, apps), MoA as well as general extension staff, sustainably embedded in extension services.
Support ICIPE development of business models for the private sector around biopesticides as well as the setup of integrated development partnerships.
Provide checks and balances on the activities that the grant recipient ICIPE carries out in Zambia, interaction with MOA and their outputs. Provide necessary information to project coordination for reporting and communication.
Coordinate transnational learning and exchange through exposures, trainings, knowledge exchange measures and participate in sub-regional, regional and inter-agency initiatives related to FAW management. Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Qualifications and requirements:

Minimum of a master’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, or related field

Professional experience:

At least 6-8 years’ professional and relevant experience in working on agribusiness, agricultural production and agricultural value chain development topics
At least 5 years’ experience in working in the field of development cooperation, public entities or research institutions

Other knowledge, additional competences:

Demonstrable excellent advisory, facilitation and presentation skills and good understanding of policy formulation and implementation processes
Experience in the organization of events and good networking skills
Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team
Ability to work independently and target-oriented with very good organisational skills as well as structured working methods to prioritise workload and provide high quality and timely deliverables
Excellent analytical, strategic and conceptual skills
Fluency in English (oral and written)
Work experience in Uganda, Malawi and Zambia are of benefit. Willingness to travel frequently.
Very good working knowledge of ICT technologies and computer applications (MS Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, PowerPoint)
Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management