Agriculture Extension Officer – Ol Pejeta Conservancy – 2024

Agriculture Extension Officer – Ol Pejeta Conservancy – 2024

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• Position: Agriculture Extension Officer
• Company: Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Location: Kenya
• Type of Job: Non-Unionisable
• Reporting to: Senior Agriculture Officer
• Application Deadline: Friday, 1st November 2024

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Introduction

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is a world-renowned sanctuary, home to some of the most endangered species, including the last two northern white rhinos and a thriving population of eastern black rhinos. Situated in Kenya, Ol Pejeta offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness a chimpanzee sanctuary, as well as one of the highest predator densities in the country. This conservancy not only serves as a haven for wildlife but also actively supports local communities by enhancing education, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring that conservation efforts provide tangible benefits for the people around its borders.

As an Agriculture Extension Officer at Ol Pejeta, you’ll play a pivotal role in enhancing community welfare through sustainable agricultural practices, water management, and market development. This position is ideal for a high-caliber, motivated individual who is passionate about wildlife conservation and community development.

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Key Responsibilities

As an Agriculture Extension Officer, your responsibilities will include:

1. Community Training on Sustainable Agriculture
   • Conduct training sessions to equip community members with sustainable farming skills, such as dry-land farming techniques, kitchen gardening, crop rotation, fodder farming, and drip irrigation.
   • Encourage the integration of livestock and crops through climate-smart agriculture.
2. Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation
   • Lead dialogues and meetings with farming communities to explore value-added opportunities in agriculture and livestock enterprises.
   • Foster connections between farmers and service providers to facilitate water harvesting and value addition initiatives.
3. Demonstration Plot Coordination
   • Establish and manage demonstration plots to exhibit effective agricultural practices.
   • Promote the adoption of smart agricultural technology and scale successful methods throughout the community.
4. Market Development and Linkage
   • Develop market opportunities for farmers, linking households to service providers to enhance their productivity and profitability.
5. Water Resource Management
   • Offer training and development opportunities to Water Resource Users’ Associations in water management and harvesting.
   • Aid in conflict resolution within the community as needed to ensure smooth operations.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation
   • Participate in monitoring and evaluation activities within the Community Development Program (CDP) to track the impact and effectiveness of initiatives.

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Qualifications and Skills

To excel as an Agriculture Extension Officer at Ol Pejeta, candidates must meet the following qualifications:

• Education: Diploma or higher in a relevant field.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years in a similar role.
• Licensing: Valid motor vehicle or motorbike driving license.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in computer applications.

Essential Skills

• Detail-Oriented: Strong organizational skills with a focus on accuracy and critical thinking.
• Adaptability: Ability to quickly adjust to changing situations and priorities.
• Problem-Solving: Ability to develop and implement solutions to community agricultural challenges.
• Collaboration: Effective interpersonal and communication skills to foster partnerships with community members and stakeholders.

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Company Culture and Values

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is driven by a mission to harmonize wildlife conservation with community empowerment. Our culture is rooted in a commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and the protection of endangered species. As a team member, you will work alongside individuals who share a dedication to creating positive change for both wildlife and local communities.

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How to Apply

Ready to join Ol Pejeta as an Agriculture Extension Officer? Qualified candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter via email to jobs@olpejetaconservancy.org with the subject line “AGRICULTURE EXTENSION OFFICER.” Please apply by Friday, 1st November 2024.

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10 Expert Tips to Be a Successful Applicant for the Agriculture Extension Officer Position

These tips will help you present your skills effectively and bypass common application challenges, including Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Let’s dive into how you can stand out in this competitive application process:

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1. Emphasize Experience in Sustainable Agriculture Practices

In your application, highlight any past work where you implemented or promoted sustainable agriculture techniques, such as crop rotation, cover cropping, or drip irrigation. For instance, if you helped local farmers adopt water-efficient methods or managed a sustainable kitchen garden, detail how this improved crop yields or reduced water usage. Be specific about the scope of your work and the outcomes, as Ol Pejeta will prioritize candidates with demonstrable, impactful results.

Example: “As part of a community project, I trained farmers in drip irrigation, which increased crop yields by 20% over two seasons. This involved setting up the system, managing water resources, and guiding farmers on best practices.”

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2. Showcase Experience with Community Engagement and Training

The role requires working closely with local communities, so emphasize any past experience in training, facilitating workshops, or engaging stakeholders. Highlight your approach to making complex agricultural concepts accessible and actionable for community members.

Example: “In my previous role, I conducted weekly workshops on pest management for rural farmers, using hands-on demonstrations and interactive sessions to ensure full understanding and application.”

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3. Highlight Conflict Resolution Skills

Given that the role may involve resolving community disputes, it’s valuable to demonstrate your ability to mediate and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner. Describe any experience in handling disputes, particularly in community or resource management settings, and provide a brief overview of your approach to conflict resolution.

Example: “I mediated a land-use dispute among local farmers by facilitating discussions on shared goals, which led to a collaborative agreement on crop rotation schedules.”

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4. Demonstrate Your Knowledge of Market Linkages and Value Addition

Since part of the role involves creating market opportunities for farmers, emphasize your experience in connecting producers with market opportunities, or helping them add value to their produce. Discuss specific crops or products you’ve helped take to market and any increases in income or productivity that resulted.

Example: “I connected local honey producers with regional markets, increasing their sales by 30%. I also provided training on quality standards to enhance product appeal.”

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5. Detail Your Experience with Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Practices

Agriculture Extension Officers at Ol Pejeta will need to assess project effectiveness, so describe your familiarity with M&E methodologies. Highlight any experience in data collection, impact assessment, or program evaluation, especially in agriculture or community development projects.

Example: “Using M&E frameworks, I tracked the impact of a water conservation initiative over six months, measuring factors like crop yield improvements and community satisfaction.”

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6. Be Specific about Technical Skills and Certifications

Mention any technical certifications or specialized skills that are relevant to the job, such as GIS (Geographic Information Systems), soil analysis, or climate-smart agriculture training. Detail how these skills have contributed to past roles and why they make you an ideal candidate for Ol Pejeta.

Example: “I am certified in climate-smart agriculture techniques, which I applied in a community project to introduce drought-resistant crop varieties, significantly enhancing productivity in arid regions.”

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7. Include Relevant Keywords for ATS Compatibility

Use keywords from the job description, such as “sustainable agriculture,” “community development,” “conflict management,” and “market linkages.” Repeat these terms naturally within your resume and cover letter to ensure your application aligns with ATS requirements.

Example: In your skills section, include: “Sustainable Agriculture, Community Development, Conflict Management, Market Linkages, M&E Practices.”

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8. Illustrate Adaptability and Problem-Solving Skills with Real-Life Examples

Ol Pejeta values adaptability, as roles in agriculture often require rapid response to weather changes, market demands, or community needs. Use specific instances where you adapted to unexpected challenges and applied critical thinking to solve issues efficiently.

Example: “When faced with an unexpected drought, I adapted our training focus to cover water-saving techniques, helping farmers maintain productivity despite adverse conditions.”

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9. Demonstrate Strong Organizational and Documentation Skills

This role involves overseeing multiple projects, so highlight your ability to manage and document each one effectively. Describe any tools or strategies you use to stay organized, keep stakeholders informed, and ensure project transparency and accountability.

Example: “In my role with a community agriculture project, I created weekly progress reports and utilized project management software to track milestones and maintain open communication with stakeholders.”

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10. Express Genuine Passion for Conservation and Community Development

Ol Pejeta is deeply committed to conservation and community support, so showing a personal connection or dedication to these values can make you a standout candidate. Mention any volunteer work, personal projects, or motivations that align with Ol Pejeta’s mission to balance conservation with community empowerment.

Example: “I have volunteered for local wildlife conservation programs and am passionate about sustainable agriculture that benefits both ecosystems and communities.”

• TELEGRAM CHANNEL

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Equal Opportunity Statement

Ol Pejeta Conservancy is an equal opportunity employer, committed to attracting and retaining employees from diverse backgrounds. We welcome applications from all individuals who share our commitment to conservation and community empowerment. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.