Agronomy Specialist

Overview

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization focused on empowering communities to overcome adversity. Mercy Corps Ethiopia operates in six regional states and administers programs that emphasize inclusive markets, governance, natural resource management, and integrated humanitarian response.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps is implementing a WFP-funded project: Climate-proofing Food security in Ethiopia's drought-prone lowland areas of Dollo Ado and Dollo Bay woredas. The program aims to revitalize local food systems, support nutritional and economic needs of refugees and host communities, and promote resilience through agricultural enhancement, financial inclusion, market connectivity, and livelihood development. Beneficiaries are encouraged to form cooperatives and engage in savings and loan associations and microfinance opportunities to build financial empowerment.

The project envisions long-term development and self-reliance, including access to irrigated land, solar pumps, regenerative agricultural practices, quality inputs, and climate-smart agriculture training and business acumen to enable sustainable farming and local economic contribution.

General Position Summary

The Agronomy Specialist contributes to planning and implementing agricultural development measures for the project. The position provides technical advice on best aggregation practices, soil and water management, irrigation development, flood control, and water user association organization and training. The role promotes irrigation production and productivity with high-value crops, coordinates irrigated farm demonstration sites using the Farmer Field School approach, and ensures beneficiaries use improved agronomic techniques and technologies.

Essential Job Responsibilities

STRATEGY & VISION

• Advise on the cultivation of food crops, vegetables, fruit trees and fodder crops.
• Design and assist in implementing demonstration plots for innovative agricultural crops and agronomic practices.
• Provide technical support to post-harvest handling and marketing of local agricultural products.
• Assist local communities in setting up water user groups (associations).
• Supervise works and acceptance of works related to irrigation scheme development.
• Contribute to environmental and social impact assessments for individual measures.
• Ensure project implementation aligns with the plan.
• Collaborate with project staff and liaise with relevant government partners and research organizations.
• Participate in planning, monitoring, and evaluation of project progress.
• Target voluntary farmers and beneficiaries in activity implementation.
• Coordinate and conduct training on improved agronomic practices with the Project Coordinator and staff.
• Undertake periodic assessment and participatory evaluation of crop varieties based on farmer criteria.
• Provide training on climate-smart agriculture for project beneficiaries, including climate change adaptation.
• Involve government department staff at various levels in project implementation and inform them of progress.
• Monitor and document project progress, lessons, good practices, and impact with community representatives.
• Submit weekly/bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly, and six-month reports to the Project Manager.
• Work with program teams and partners to adhere to humanitarian principles, Mercy Corps gender policies, Do No Harm principles, and beneficiary accountability standards.

PROGRAM COORDINATION

• Coordinate with local government officials, NGOs, civil society organizations, religious leaders, and other notables to ensure support and acceptance of Mercy Corps programs.
• Maintain relationships with communities, woreda authorities, other organizations, and local partners; represent Mercy Corps at local coordination meetings as assigned.
• Professionally represent Mercy Corps in responsibility areas to uphold humanitarian and development missions.

Team Management

• Build effective relationships with program teams across production, marketing, and diversified economic opportunities.
• Provide information, tools, and resources to improve performance and achieve objectives.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide feedback.
• Create a respectful work environment aimed at achieving excellence.

FINANCE & COMPLIANCE MANAGEMENT

• Ensure compliance with donor and Mercy Corps regulations related to emergency programming.
• Draft and/or review scopes of work to hire and manage technical consultants, including contract budgets.

SECURITY

• Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
• Proactively ensure team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of policies.

ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING

• Commit 5% of time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps and the individual's development.

ACCOUNTABILITY TO BENEFICIARIES

• Support accountability to beneficiaries and international standards; engage beneficiary communities as equal partners in design, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Conduct oneself professionally and respect local laws, customs, and Mercy Corps policies at all times.

ACCOUNTABILITY

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: The Agricoordinator

TECHNICALLY REPORTS TO: The Project Manager

WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: The Project implementation team.

Knowledge And Experience

BSC in Agronomy, Irrigation Agronomy, Plant Sciences, Crop Sciences, Arid land agriculture, Extension, or related disciplines.

• At least five years of practical work experience in irrigation agriculture (small-scale irrigation experience is an asset).
• Experience in rural development, diversified livelihood, and participatory research approaches.
• Experience in community empowerment, business development, capacity building, and natural resources management.
• Experience in project planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

Success Factors

• Fluent in English and Somali (reading, listening, speaking, and writing).
• Business-minded, entrepreneurial, adaptable, curious, problem-solver, results-driven.
• Ability to work in difficult environments and follow procedures.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and networking skills with private, partner, and NGO actors.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office.

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members support accountability to program participants, community partners, and other stakeholders, engaging communities as equal partners in design, monitoring, and evaluation.

Ongoing Learning

Team members are encouraged to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that support personal and professional growth.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We strive for a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment and are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to improve diversity and inclusion.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer and does not tolerate discrimination. We provide a respectful and safe work environment with equal employment opportunities for all, regardless of race, gender identity, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to safeguarding and to preventing sexual exploitation and abuse. We do not tolerate child abuse, exploitation, or harassment. Team members must complete mandatory Code of Conduct e-learning upon hire and annually.