JOB DESCRIPTION

PROJECT

Integrated Shelter, Food Security and Livelihoods Support for Safe, Dignified and Sustainable Return in Abul Thohur (Idleb) and Madiq Castle (Hama)

DUTY STATION

Idlib, Syria, with regular field visits to Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate, and other project locations as required

ABOUT THE PROJECT

IHH is implementing an integrated humanitarian and early-recovery project funded by the OCHA Syria Humanitarian Fund (SHF), supporting safe, dignified and sustainable return in Abul Thohur, Idleb Governorate, and Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate.

The project combines shelter rehabilitation, winterization and Core NFI assistance, cash assistance for food, bakery rehabilitation and subsidized bread provision, and agricultural and irrigation-related interventions. The agricultural component focuses on supporting wheat farmers and improving access to irrigation water through community-level rehabilitation and coordination.

JOB SUMMARY

IHH is seeking two qualified and motivated Agronomists to support the planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of agricultural and livelihood activities under the project, with a particular focus on supporting wheat farmers in Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate.

The Agronomists will work closely with the FSAL Project Officer, Field Engineer, Field Assistants and MEAL team, as well as farmers, community representatives, relevant agricultural authorities and other stakeholders. They will provide agricultural technical guidance, support beneficiary assessment and verification, follow up on agricultural inputs and activities, and contribute to coordination around irrigation-related interventions.

The role focuses on agricultural and farmer-support expertise. Engineering designs, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), construction specifications and technical supervision of civil works remain the responsibility of the Field Engineer and other qualified engineering staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Agricultural Activity Implementation and Farmer Support

· Support the planning and implementation of agricultural and livelihood activities in line with the approved project proposal, work plan, targets and technical guidance.

· Conduct field visits and consultations with wheat farmers to understand agricultural needs, production constraints, seasonal priorities and access to irrigation water.

· Provide practical technical guidance to farmers on appropriate agricultural practices, crop management, input use and other relevant measures to support wheat production, within the scope of the project.

· Support the identification and verification of eligible farming households in accordance with approved selection criteria and procedures, ensuring accurate documentation and transparent processes.

· Assist in assessing farmers’ needs for agricultural inputs or services and contribute technical recommendations for activity planning and implementation.

· Follow up on the delivery and use of project-supported agricultural inputs or services, where applicable, and document field observations and implementation issues.

· Facilitate farmer awareness sessions, demonstrations or training activities on relevant agricultural practices when included in the approved activity plan.

· Identify implementation challenges affecting farmers and raise them promptly with the FSAL Project Officer, recommending practical corrective actions.

Irrigation and Agricultural Infrastructure Coordination

· Coordinate with farmers, water users, community representatives and relevant local authorities on agricultural water needs and irrigation-related activities.

· Work closely with the Field Engineer to ensure that the agricultural needs of farmers are communicated and considered during the planning and implementation of irrigation-channel rehabilitation.

· Support field-level consultations on irrigation access, water distribution arrangements and the practical use of rehabilitated infrastructure, in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

· Help document farmer feedback and potential agricultural benefits or constraints related to irrigation interventions.

· Refer engineering assessments, designs, BoQs, construction methods and infrastructure quality concerns to the Field Engineer; do not approve engineering designs or civil works outside the role’s technical competence.

Beneficiary Engagement, Monitoring and Reporting

· Communicate project objectives, eligibility criteria, activity schedules and relevant procedures clearly and respectfully to farmers and communities.

· Collect and maintain accurate records related to farmer assessments, beneficiary verification, field visits, training sessions and agricultural activities, using approved tools and templates.

· Coordinate with the MEAL team to support baseline or needs assessments, routine monitoring, post-assistance monitoring, data verification and other evaluation activities as required.

· Contribute to tracking project indicators and targets by providing timely, accurate and verifiable field information and supporting documentation.

· Prepare regular field updates and activity reports, highlighting progress, challenges, community feedback, lessons learned and follow-up actions.

· Ensure that feedback and complaints received from farmers are documented and referred through the established feedback and complaints mechanisms.

Coordination and Teamwork

· Coordinate day-to-day with the FSAL Project Officer, Field Engineer, Field Assistants and MEAL colleagues to ensure coherent planning, implementation and follow-up of project activities.

· Maintain constructive working relationships with farmers, farmer groups, community representatives, relevant agricultural departments and local authorities.

· Participate in project meetings, field coordination visits and technical discussions as requested by the FSAL Project Officer or Project Manager.

· Coordinate with procurement, logistics and other support teams through the relevant project staff to communicate technical requirements and ensure timely activity implementation.

· Perform other relevant duties within the scope of the position as assigned by the line manager.

Protection, Safeguarding and Accountability

· Apply the principles of impartiality, non-discrimination, accountability to affected populations and do no harm in all interactions with farmers and communities.

· Promote safe, inclusive and equitable participation, with attention to vulnerable farmers and households facing barriers to accessing assistance.

· Comply with IHH’s Code of Conduct, safeguarding policies, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) procedures and confidentiality requirements.

· Ensure that personal and beneficiary information is collected, stored and shared only for authorized project purposes.

· Report safeguarding concerns, protection risks or other incidents through established organizational channels.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

· Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agronomy or another closely related discipline.

· At least two years of relevant professional experience in agricultural activities, farmer support, agricultural extension, food security or livelihoods programming.

· Practical understanding of crop production and agricultural practices relevant to wheat farming and rural livelihoods.

· Experience conducting field visits, engaging with farmers, collecting information and documenting agricultural needs or activity progress.

· Ability to communicate technical information clearly and respectfully to farmers and community members.

· Experience working with local or international humanitarian or development organizations in Syria is an advantage.

· Experience supporting irrigation-related activities, water users’ coordination, agricultural input assistance or farmer training is an advantage.

· Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) processes, digital data-collection tools or beneficiary verification is an advantage.

· Good organizational, communication, reporting and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and accurate record-keeping.

· Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office. Familiarity with KoboToolbox or similar data-collection tools is an advantage.

· Fluency in Arabic is required. Good English skills, particularly for reading technical materials and preparing reports, are an advantage.

· Ability to conduct frequent field visits and work effectively in rural locations and a challenging operational environment.

CORE COMPETENCIES

· Agricultural technical knowledge and farmer-support skills.

· Field assessment, beneficiary verification and community engagement.

· Understanding of wheat production and agricultural livelihoods.

· Coordination with farmers, local authorities and multidisciplinary project teams.

· Field monitoring, documentation and results-based reporting.

· Communication, teamwork, problem-solving and attention to detail.

· Integrity, confidentiality and commitment to humanitarian principles.

· Compliance with safeguarding, PSEA and protection requirements.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The positions will be based at the IHH Idlib Office, with regular field visits to Madiq Castle, Hama Governorate, and other project locations as required. The Agronomists will report to the FSAL Project Officer and work in close coordination with the Field Engineer, Field Assistants, MEAL team and Project Manager.