WWF Cameroon is looking for an Agriculture Officer

World Wide Fund For Nature

Yokadouma, Est
CDI
Temps-plein

Il y a 10 jours

Want to make a positive difference to the future of people and our one shared home, the Earth? Working with WWF could be the opportunity of a lifetime:All over the world, people are waking up to the growing crisis of nature loss. A growing realization that nature is our life-support system. And that no one will be spared from the consequences of its disappearance. Here at WWF, we are helping to meet this enormous global challenge.Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds and have a variety of skills, from human resources and finance to advocacy and conservation science. We welcome applications from anyone who thinks they can help us create a better future for people and wildlife.What we do:We are an independent Conservation Organization, working to preserve the natural world for the benefit of people and wildlife. From individuals to communities, businesses or governments, we are part of a growing coalition calling on world leaders to put nature on a path to restoration by 2030. Together, we aim to protect and restore natural habitats, halt the mass extinction of wildlife and ensure that our production and consumption patterns are sustainable.For our Cameroon office, we are looking for a dynamic and committed Agriculture Officer**.**Reports to: Cocoa and Agriculture LeadLocation: YokadoumaDuration: two (02) years renewableMission of the DepartmentWWF is committed to the strategy of promoting and developing sustainable cocoa in the landscapes where WWF operates. The development of sustainable cocoa means the production and marketing of cocoa using agroforestry practices and other good agricultural practices as well as fair marketing conditions in the national and international markets. It also involves the development of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), all of which contribute to cocoa production under conditions that are ecologically respectful of the environment and biodiversity.It is against this backdrop that, with funding from Barry Callebaut, the REDUCING POVERTY AND NATURE LOSS THROUGH SUSTAINABLE ECONOMICSOPPORTUNITIES (RESPONSE) program has been developed and implemented to support forest and biodiversity conservation by improving the well-being of local people, particularly the indigenous populations in the target landscapes of the Yokadouma district. In addition to this program, the Mobilizing Money For Climate (MoMo4C) project is also being implemented in the same area.This program aims to increase and facilitate the commitment of producers and local communities to combat deforestation and produce sustainable cocoa, while improving the living conditions of partner populations. This work will be carried out through cooperatives of cocoa producers and NTFP collectors, as well as community forests.Main dutiesThe incumbent of this position will be responsible for implementing agricultural activities, in particular the cultivation and promotion of sustainable cocoa within the project team, based in Yokadouma.Main tasks and responsibilitiesMain responsibilitiesUnder the technical supervision of the Technical Coordinator based in Yokadouma and the general coordination of the Cocoa and Agriculture Lead based in Yaoundé, the person will be primarily responsible for:Support for sustainable cocoa production and sustainable collection of NTFPs

Carrying out technical diagnoses of the fields of cocoa farmers, members of target cooperatives and partners
Establish a technical action plan to strengthen the three cooperatives and their members
Implementing activities aimed at supporting farmers in the production of sustainable cocoa: setting up cocoa nurseries and plants that can be used for agroforestry in farmers' fields,
Establishment of cocoa nurseries, fruit trees and NTFP trees
Training in good agricultural practices and agroecological maintenance of plots (mulching, shade management, assisted natural regeneration, etc.)
Training to improve the quality of cocoa beans, particularly through improved post-harvest processing
Training in best practices for NTFP collection
Combating deforestation in production areas by improving the productivity of old plantations
Bringing farmers' fields up to standard in terms of good agricultural practice: weeding, pruning, integrated pest and disease management, and shade management.

Organizational strengthening of cooperativesParticipate in the selection of three cooperatives (two cocoa cooperatives and one NTFP cooperative) that will join the RESPONSE project based on the selection and consent criteria defined by the Technical Coordinator based in Yokadouma and the General Coordination of the Cocoa and Agriculture LeadSupport the legalization of cooperatives of cocoa producers and NTFP collectors.Carry out an organizational and institutional diagnosis of cooperatives that have already been legalized and are WWF partners (cocoa and NTFPs)Implement and monitor the organisational action plan to strengthen each of the three cooperatives over the five years of the projectVerify the legal existence of those already in existence (certificate of legalization, establishment of committees in accordance with the law and their functionalities, existence of bank accounts and the management procedures for these accounts,Analyze internal governance within these cooperatives (setting up the Board of Directors, the supervisory committee, holding statutory meetings, managing the cooperative's assets, archiving and storing data, etc.)Train the managers of the three cooperatives in working capital management and monitor its proper use.Legal and partnership supportAssisting cooperatives in drawing up or reviewing contracts and partnership agreements with partnersSupport the use of community grievance mechanisms accessible to the Baka people.Check that contracts and agreements are consistent with and comply with laws and regulations in order to guarantee the legal clarity of commitments, protecting producers in particularMaintain contact with national public institutions responsible for regulating sustainable cocoa production and the marketing of beans (MINCOMMERCE, MINADER, etc.)In collaboration with the project's technical coordinator, support cooperatives in their meetings with private and public partners.Team coordination and reporting

Supervising and monitoring consultants and other colleagues (interns, volunteers and other new colleagues) in the field
Contribute to the programming and coordination of activities within the team and to the preparation of reports on time
At the end of the project, conduct a survey to assess the impact of activities on members' living conditions.
Identify and report cases of:
forced labour, child labour or unfair conditions on plantations and support the implementation of corrective measures with partners (cooperatives, CSOs, authorities).
abuse of producers and vulnerable people, particularly the Baka, to support them inescaping abusive or informal forms of work, securing their rights and integrating into sustainable value chains (link with the RACOPY system and the project's risk remediation mechanism).
deforestation among members of supported cooperatives.

Main tasks

Regularly visit farmers' fields,
Providing agronomic advice and training farmers in good practices
Seek out all the information needed to increase field productivity without destroying new forests,
Attend planning and coordination meetings,
Assist producers with fermentation, drying and packaging techniques for cocoa and NTFPs.
Checking the administrative conditions of cooperatives and other players who are to enter partnership with partners in Cameroon or elsewhere,
Monitor the functioning of these cooperatives (compliance with statutory meetings and participatory decision-making)
Contribute to the process of professionalizing cocoa and NTFP cooperatives by marketing and selling cocoa and NTFPs to national and international buyers.
To contribute to the implementation of the cocoa traceability system and to the dissemination of the various regulations, in particular the EU regulations (RDUE).
To contribute to the preparation of meetings between stakeholders in the sustainable cocoa sector
Capitalizing on resolutions and monitoring the implementation of decisions taken at meetings and seminars on sustainable cocoa
Contribute to the promotion of our partners and sustainable cocoa in general and in particular that produced in our landscapes.

ProfileQualifications required

A degree in agricultural engineering (GCE A/L + 4 (minimum), economics or equivalent, with proven experience in a similar position.
At least 5 years’ experience in a similar position.
Experience in the cocoa sector and in supporting farmers.

Skills and aptitudes required

Knowledge of EU regulations on cocoa marketing would be an advantage.
Ability to work under pressure and in a rural environment.
Have a perfect knowledge of French or English and an operational capacity for the other.
Be dynamic and proactive in the conduct of activities.
Demonstrate sensitivity to issues of forest conservation, biodiversity and climate change
Demonstrate sensitivity to the protection of minorities and human rights.

Values and behaviors

Ability to work effectively in a team.
Good communicator, fluent in English and French.
Adherence to WWF values: courage, integrity, respect, collaboration.
Excellent interpersonal skills, diplomacy and conflict resolution skills to manage complex and highly sensitive multi-stakeholder situations.
Knowledge of cutting-edge research on the development of deforestation-free agriculture.
Strong training and coaching skills.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Keen mind; ability to react under pressure.
Identifies and embraces the core values of the WWF organization: courage, integrity, respect and collaboration.

This job description reflects the main responsibilities expected and the spirit of the assignments, which must be carried out proactively. Other tasks may be assigned according to organizational needs.

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