Agriculture Project Assistant - Kenya

Overview:Development In Gardening (DIG) is looking for a qualified project assistant to help direct and implement two community agriculture projects in rural Kenya, a community hospital site and a rural primary school site designed to serve OVCs (orphaned and vulnerable children). The project assistant will work under DIG’s Project Coordinator and eventually take over the leadership of both projects.

Organizational Background: Development In Gardening’s mission is to improve the nutrition and health of HIV-affected and at-risk populations through sustainable gardening. We do this by training people in agriculture and nutrition and providing resources to create projects that empower communities to meet their own needs. For those individuals who are simultaneously suffering from HIV/AIDS, poverty and, malnutrition, more than just antiretroviral therapy (ART) is needed. Through supporting the development of community gardens, Development In Gardening has identified a sustainable model to increase nutrition, improve physical health, increase community capital, and improve involvement in community activities. To read more about DIG and our work visit www.ReapLifeDIG.org

Responsibilities:

* Work with the DIG Project Coordinator and local site managers to develop 2-3 demonstration sites for organically-grown vegetables and grains

* Work with the DIG Project Coordinator, local site managers, and local communities to identify successful agricultural programs focused on food production, income generation, and nutrition

* Organize and facilitate training programs in organic farming and gardening methods, nutrition, business and marketing, and other relevant topics

* Provide ongoing technical support and oversight at all demonstration sites

* Develop and implement a program of monitoring and evaluation to ensure that project goals are being met

* Report monthly on project progress and budgets

Qualifications

* A degree in sustainable agriculture or the equivalent in practical field experience

* Minimum two years of field experience working in organic agriculture and community development

* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English; knowledge of local Kenyan languages a plus

* Experience in project coordination and organization in rural areas

* Familiarity with methods, tools and techniques in participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation

* Team player and ability to work productively with teams

* Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary and multicultural work environment

* Flexible, adaptable, eager to learn and teach, tolerant of heat and uncomfortable situations, willing to physically work the land alongside participants, and passionate about grassroots agricultural development

If interested, please email a current CV and a letter of intent to sarah@ReapLifeDIG.org with the subject line “Project Assistant”. We look forward to hearing from you.