Senior Extension Technical Specialist At Near East Foundation

Title: Senior Extension Technical Specialist

Reports to: Project Manager

Location: Ramadi or Baghdad

Travel: 50%

About NEF

For over 100 years, NEF has worked to build more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive communities in the Middle East and Africa through education, governance, and economic development initiatives. Its programs are organized around three themes: Inclusive Economic Development, Climate-resilient Development, and Stabilization and Peacebuilding.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Near East Foundation (NEF) is seeking candidates for a Senior Extension Technical Specialist position to be either based in or with frequent travel to Ramadi, Iraq. This role requires the ability to lead the extension services delivery and improvement component of this project to small farming enterprises in the small ruminant value chain.

The person in this role should be able to develop extension services technical materials and training modules.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Project Manager and the overall leadership of the Country Director, the Senior Extension Technical Specialistwill have the following responsibilities:

• Explore the options of integration of project extension services with existing delivery channels by adding additional modules related to small ruminants.
• To complement traditional extension services and broaden reach, design and manage the additional E-extension services specific to small ruminants. This includes promoting e-extension through the production of video content for e-extension on technical topics pertaining to small ruminants’ production.
• Assess the gaps and finalize the topics for E-extension services.
• Manage the project component of increasing the para veterinary services in project areas.
• Develop modules for training of para vets.
• Support the recruitment of Master Trainers and Coaches in three locations.
• Build the capacity of Master Trainers through training, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring.
• Build and maintain relationships with entrepreneurs, Master Trainers, and local partners.
• Assist with the identification of agribusinesses to receive project support.
• Conduct internal technical reviews, programmatic reflections, best practices, and learning and adaptation exercises.
• Collaborate with other teams to ensure mainstreaming and integration of technical or supporting areas related to extension services.
• Contribute to and provide inputs for the work plan, required project reports, baseline data, tools and indicators for monitoring and evaluation, and collection/sharing of lessons learned.
• Document lessons learned, evaluate the impact, and modify approaches as needed.
• Any other related task assigned by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful Senior Extension Technical Specialistmust be a self-directed individual with the following qualifications:

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal sciences, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Minimum 3 years of related experience preferably in designing extension services, for livestock, and small ruminants.
• Familiarity with climate-smart livestock production.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office packages (Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Strong verbal and written communication in English and Arabic, consultation, and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Capacity to work independently, and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills; and
• Ability to multitask under pressure, meet tight deadlines and deliver quality results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Based in Al-Anbar province, Iraq.
• Experience in market systems or value chain development.
• Experience in Training Trainers.