VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
The agricultural sector, which is responsible for feeding the nation andproviding livelihoods to thecountr/spopulation. is also vital for recovery and growth of the country’s agro-based economy as articulated in the national development strategy Food insecurity, however, has been consistently growing in Zimbabwe Over the last five years, the proportion of food- insecure rural population ranged between 30 and 59% during the period 2015to2020.
Urban vulnerability has also been on the rise reaching 30% or 2.2 milion people by 2020. Major factors that are driving food insecurity in the country include among others, natural shocks, low skills and knowledge base of farmers, shortage of inputs, low levels of mechanisation, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, limited access to market information and marketing facilities, limited access to finance and limited security of tenure.
vulnerability has also been on the rise reaching 30% or 2.2 million people by 2020 Major factors that are driving food insecurity in the country include among others, natural shocks, low skills and knowledge base of farmers, shortage of inputs, low levels of mechanisation, reliance on rain-fed agriculture, limited access to market information and marketing facil ities, li mited access to fi nance a nd I imited security of tenure.
NDSI seeks to improve food self-sufficiency and to retain the regional breadbasket status. The mam objective is to increase food self-sufficiency from the current level of 45% to 100% and reduce food insecunty from the peak of 59% in 2020 to less than 10% by 2025. The target is also to increase maize production from 907 629 tonnes in 2020 to 3 million tonnes by 2025 and beef production from 49115 tonnes in 2020 to 110 000 tonnes by 2025.
In order to achieve food self-sufficient status a number of initiatives need to be implemented to ensure attainment of resilience and sustainable agriculture system For the initiatives to gain traction there is need for a senior strategic management position to drive the agenda The Chief Director Agricultural Advisory and Rural Development Services position will be responsible for spearheading the coordination, planning, implementation and provision of inclusive and sustainable technical, extension and advisory services in agricultural production so as to ensure the sector contributes to economic growth. The post will be reporting to the Permanent Secretary and will manage the following key functional areas: –
• Crop Production and Management.
• Livestock Production and Management
• Agricultural Technical and Extension Services.
• Train ing and capac ity building of human capital within the extension field.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversee the coordination, formulation, implementation and review of sustainable strategies, programmes, policies, guidelines and regulations on crop and livestock production and management in the country and ensure thatthey are in syncwith the Ministry’s Strategic Plan and National Development goals and aspirations
2. Spearhead the designing and implementation of an all-inclusive national stakeholder engagement platform on extension and agricultural advisory services.
3. Supenntend over the development of strategies to ensure food self-sufficiency, rebuilding of the national herd (beef and dairy) and the implementation of enterprise-oriented
policy objectives through the various technical departments and other major players in the agricultural sector.
4. Promoteand commercialise the productionof marginalised crops and livestock in the country and provide the appropriate extension services to farmers.
5. Superintend over the dissemination and promotion of the adoption of new crop and livestock production technologies by farmers through on farm trials and demonstration,
holding field days, exchange visits and technology fairs.
6. Oversee the provision of technical support to rural households and community value chain players through agricultural extension and training on good plant health and post harvest practices.
7. Collaborate with other relevant Government Departments and other stakeholders in the development of early warning surveillance, adaptation and mitigation strategies and policy responses to challenges created by climate change and any otherthreatstolrvestock and crop production in the country.
8. Coordinate the development of collaborative partnerships on crop and livestock production in liaison with Veterinary Services and Agricultural Research, Innovation and Development Directorates and other relevant stakeholders in line with the Ministry’s thrust on increased crop and livestock production and self-sufficiency.
9. Coordinate and mainstream implementation of regional and International treaties, protocols, agreements and standards on crop and livestock production into the country’s national laws.
10. Represent the Department in National. Regional and international fora on Agricultural Technical and Extension Services trends and developments.
11. Superintend over the development of budgets and funding strategies for the planning, designing and implementation of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services programmes in crop and livestock production in the country and ensure transparency in the utilization of the funds.
12. Superintend over the collation, packaging, dissemination and management of national agricultural production information as well as frequent updates on the state of national agricultural production.
QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
• A Master’s degree in Agriculture/Crop Science/ Animal Husbandry/Agriculture isa must.
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant experience, two (2) of which must be in the Director Grade or equivalent position.
• Athoroughunderstandingofagriculturaltechnical.extensionservicesandruraldevelopmentstrategiesand policies.
• Sound understanding of National Economic Development Programmes. Policies and Priorities particularly those on agriculture.
• Must be a very good team leader with an analytical mind.
• Ability to communicate and network with stakeholders at various levels
• Ability to employ information communicationtechnology in the designing and monitoring of Agricultural Technical and Extension Services provision.
More Information
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Job Application Details
APPLICATION DETAILS
Candidates with relevant experience are encouraged to apply. Application letters, including detailed CVs and copies of certificates should be submitted to [email protected] by 25th March 2024 and should be addressed to: The Secretary Public Service Commission
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