Agriculture Technician

Organizational and Project Background:

ADRA Indonesia – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, committed to serving humanity so that all may live as God intended. By partnering with communities, organizations, and governments, and with a strong focus on development and relief efforts, ADRA Indonesia operates across the country to empower communities, build resilience, and promote sustainable development, regardless of ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious association. ADRA Indonesia is part of a global ADRA network, with a presence in approximately 125 countries, focusing on key areas such as Emergency Response, Emergency Recovery, Livelihoods, Economic Development, Shelter, Basic Education, Primary Health, and Disaster Risk Reduction. ADRA recognizes the dignity inherent in each person and is dedicated to improving the quality of human life, especially for those most vulnerable.

One of ADRA Indonesia’s key initiatives is the HIJAU Project – Hutan Inovatif, Jasa Karbon dan Agroforestri untuk Kesejahteraan in Sigi project, located in the Marawola Sub-district, Central Sulawesi, aims to enhance the livelihoods of farmer families of Indigenous communities while addressing deforestation and protecting biodiversity in Marawola Barat through sustainable livelihoods. It focuses on restoring and managing critical lands using nature-based solutions, climate-resilient forestry, and the establishment of carbon sinks. The project provides training and other resources to boost agricultural productivity, diversify income sources, and strengthen local capacity. Additionally, the project addresses the rehabilitation of degraded forest lands in 12 villages, supports the acquisition of permits for village, social, and customary forestry, and facilitates access to government resources for afforestation, forest protection, and sustainable management. It also seeks to improve market access for regenerative agriculture and agroforestry products and introduces carbon credits and the National Emissions Compensation System in Marawola Barat. By working closely with local leaders and the Indigenous community, the project aims to foster long-term development that aligns with the values and traditions of the Indigenous communities while promoting gender equality and social inclusion.

Position Summary

The Agriculture Technician, with a specialization in agriculture, will play a critical role in the implementation of the project’s agricultural activities. This position requires hands-on expertise in sustainable agricultural practices and community engagement. The technician will work closely with farmers and forestry groups to enhance agricultural productivity and promote sustainable land management. Additionally, the technician will be responsible for providing technical assistance, delivering training on agriculture, such as composting, nursery and agriculture and monitoring the progress of agricultural interventions to ensure that project objectives are achieved.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The main duties and responsibilities to be performed by the Agriculture Technician, include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identify barriers farmers face in their agricultural practices and develop and implement strategies to ensure that project activities align with the project’s objectives and benefit all participants.
• Organize and conduct training sessions for farmers, focusing on good practices in agriculture, agroforestry, and climate-resilient farming methods, and improve farm management tailored to the needs of rural women and men.
• Provide on-site technical assistance to farmers and local communities on sustainable agricultural practices, including crop management, soil fertility, composting, nursery and pest control management.
• Work closely with local communities to promote participation in the project’s agricultural initiatives, fostering a sense of ownership and sustainability.
• Collaborate with local farmer groups to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into agricultural practices, enhancing perceived value and active participation in farmer organizations.
• Collaborate with local governments, local leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure that agricultural activities are well-coordinated and integrated into the broader project framework.
• Monitor the progress of agricultural interventions, collect data, and provide regular reports on the progress, challenges, lessons learned, good practices and successes. Ensure that these reports contribute to the overall project reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in sustainable agriculture or agroforestry-related projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices, crop management, soil fertility, composting, nursery management, and pest control.
• Proven ability to design and deliver training programs for farmers and community members.
• Have knowledge and experience in managing a nursery.
• Understanding of the cultural and social contexts of rural communities, with experience working in diverse settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the capability to effectively engage and ability to inspire and motivate others with a wide range of stakeholders and farmers of Indigenous communities
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Having a general understanding of the NGO operational standards and donor requirements.
• Fluency in Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Willingness to be based on the designed project in Sigi Sub-district, Central Sulawesi, and work directly with smallholder farmers of Indigenous communities
• Ability to drive a motorbike, especially in extreme road conditions.

We Offer:

• An opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of vulnerable communities.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A potential for follow-on contracts to cover the implementation of the three-year project. Any follow-on contracts will be based on satisfactory performance and mutual agreement.

Application Process:

If you are a highly motivated individual with a strong desire to serve others, we welcome you to apply! Please submit your cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae in English to hrd@adraindonesia.org with email title: Agriculture Technician – Palu by December 31, 2024. 

All applications will be treated confidentially. Only short-listed candidates will be notified and invited for interviews. ADRA Indonesia is an equal opportunity employer, encouraging applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, or background.

A range of pre-employment checks will be conducted in line with ADRA Indonesia’s Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, Abuse, and Child Abuse (PSHEA) policy. We strive to create a diverse workplace environment and uphold equality of opportunity. Discrimination of any kind is not tolerated. Our organizational culture promotes gender equality and inclusion, supporting staff in adopting good practices and positive attitudes towards these principles.