National Consultant (Field Extension Support Officer) – EU OACPS Business Friendly Project in Liberia

The consultant will provide technical support and coordination for the EU OACPS Business Friendly Project in Liberia, focusing on coffee value chain development. Responsibilities include farmer engagement, training, monitoring, data collection, and reporting to support improved coffee production and market linkages.

Responsibilities

• Support community-level engagement activities by interacting with coffee-farming communities and farmers in accordance with project guidance and maintain an up-to-date register of farmers.
• Provide technical support to coffee farmers including advice on good agricultural practices, pest and disease management, crop management, and sustainable coffee production.
• Support and facilitate farmer training activities on improved farming techniques, crop management, harvesting, post-harvest handling and processing.
• Monitor and document the progress of farming practices and project activities, identify challenges and emerging needs, and provide feedback to the project team.
• Prepare and submit regular field reports documenting community engagement, farmer participation, training activities, progress, challenges, and recommendations.
• Support the distribution and monitoring of project inputs and materials including tools, seedlings, fertilizers, and other agricultural resources.
• Collect feedback from farmers and community stakeholders and communicate observations to support project improvement.
• Support engagement with local community leaders, government representatives, farmer organizations, and other stakeholders to facilitate project implementation.

Requirements

• University degree in agronomy, extension services, agricultural engineering, agribusiness, business administration, development studies or related field.
• Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the university degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in project management and coordination, smallholder farmer development, and agricultural and rural development, including knowledge of agribusiness, stakeholder engagement, and participatory approaches.
• Good knowledge of the institutional context in Liberia is an added advantage.
• Experience working with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmer unions, rural communities, and private and public sector institutions, is desirable.
• Experience working with international/donor organizations or national development agencies.
• Experience in data collection and survey administration is desirable.
• Proficiency in computer applications, particularly Microsoft Office.
• Good organizational and planning skills, with the ability to plan, coordinate, and follow up on field activities.
• High attention to detail and ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively under agreed timelines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, particularly when working with rural communities and farmers.
• Good writing, reporting, synthesis, and analytical skills.
• Ability to collect, organize, and present field information and data accurately.
• Basic video and photographic documentation skills for recording field activities and farmer engagement.
• Agronomic expertise, particularly in coffee production and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).
• Demonstration plot management, including farm maintenance, monitoring, and practical application of recommended farming practices.
• Farmer training and coaching skills, with the ability to communicate technical information in a practical and accessible manner.
• Farmer and community engagement skills, including the ability to establish constructive working relationships with farmers and community stakeholders.
• Data collection and field monitoring skills, including maintaining farmer registries and documenting production, harvesting, and sales information.
• Knowledge of coffee harvesting and post-harvest management, including sorting, drying, storage, and quality management.
• Experience in planning and supporting activities with rural communities, including farmer training, field demonstrations, and community-level engagements.
• Basic understanding of coffee market linkages and value-chain development would be an advantage.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of the local language is considered an advantage.

Skills

• Project Management
• Smallholder Farmer Development
• Agriculture and Rural Development
• Agribusiness Knowledge
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Participatory Approaches
• Data Collection
• Survey Administration
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Organizational Planning
• Records Keeping
• Report Writing
• Analytical Skills
• Video Documentation
• Photographic Documentation
• Agronomic Expertise
• Good Agricultural Practices
• Demonstration Plot Development
• Farmer Training
• Farmer Coaching
• Community Engagement
• Field Monitoring
• Farmer Registry Management
• Coffee Harvesting
• Post-Harvest Handling
• Quality Management
• Value-Chain Development

Languages

English