Enterprise Development Officer

Job Description

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization dedicated to fighting poverty and social injustice with a special emphasis on women and girls. CARE began working in Zimbabwe in 1992 in response to severe regional drought and has since expanded programming to address longer-term development issues. The organization seeks to recruit outstanding candidates who are known for their excellence, professionalism, integrity and who are committed to providing support to the country office. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply for the position posted below:

Position: Enterprise Development Officer
Base station: Buhera
Project: Sustainable Roots Program

ABOUT THE PROJECT
The Sustainable Roots Program is a nutrition promotion program funded by The Light Foundation implemented in Buhera and Tsholotsho districts of Zimbabwe for a 5-year period. The program seeks to support rural communities to increase nutritional status of women, children, and their households by promoting production and consumption of traditional and local foods. The program will apply regenerative agriculture, soil and water and sustainable use of forest products to meet dietary and health needs. The SRP program will support communities with improved access to water for domestic and productive use and will work closely with Government Departments to ensure appropriate and synergistic implementation.
The program is implemented by a consortium led by CARE Zimbabwe and includes Organization of Rural Associations for Progress and Nutrition Action Zimbabwe.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Enterprise Development Officer will play a crucial role in supporting community groups to enhance their agricultural livelihoods. This position requires a proactive individual who can engage with farmers and rural communities, providing technical guidance and implementing effective agricultural development strategies.

Duties and Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Needs Assessment and Field Engagement.
a. Conduct field visits and surveys to assess the needs of farmers and rural communities.
b. Gather data to identify challenges and opportunities in agricultural practices.
2. Technical Guidance and Training
a. Provide technical assistance and training on best practices in agriculture and enterprise development.
b. Educate community members on topics such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), financial literacy, and agribusiness management.
3. Development and Implementation of Agricultural Plans
a. Consolidate Develop and implement comprehensive plans for agricultural development tailored to community needs.
b. Collaborate with community groups to design initiatives that promote sustainable agricultural practices.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
a. Monitor and evaluate the impact of agricultural and enterprise development interventions.
b. Collect and analyse data to assess program effectiveness and inform future strategies
c. Partake in the writing of success and most significant change stories.
5. Stakeholder Coordination and Advocacy
a. Liaise with various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and community organizations, to coordinate agricultural and enterprise development activities.
b. Advocate for agricultural issues, inclusion, raising awareness among farmers and the public to promote supportive policies and practices

• B.Sc. Degree in Agriculture, Agric Economics, Development studies, or related field with at least three years of implementing Agricultural related enterprise development programmes in natural regions 3-5 in Zimbabwe.
• Knowledge of soil and water conservation techniques such as resilience designs and permaculture.
• Experience in establishing farmer groups and working with communities.
• Understanding of the cultural sensitivities and familiarity with the customs and norms in the districts of operation.
• Familiarity with composting, waste recycling, poultry rearing and egg production and other agriculture-based livelihoods.