Field Technician

About our organization

The World Agroforestry Centre (also known as the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry or ICRAF) is an independent research institution which generates science-based knowledge about the complex role which trees play in agricultural landscapes and rural livelihoods. As part of the Centre’s work to bring tree-based solutions to bear on poverty and environmental problems, researchers – working in close collaboration with partners – are developing new technologies, tools and policy recommendations for increased food security and ecosystem health.

The Centre’s headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, and research is conducted in 34 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. We are supported by the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and receive funding from over 50 different donors.

To learn more about our organization, please visit our website: www.worldagroforestry.org

Project or Program and duration of same:

The Agroecology for resilient landscapes to overcome poverty of ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam uplands project, co-funded by the Bread for the World, ICRAF and the Consultative Institute for Socio-Economic Development of Rural and Mountainous Areas (CISDOMA), and implemented in period of 2021-2025 by a ICRAF and CISDOMA. The project will target that Agroecology contributes to build and maintain resilient landscapes with environmental-friendly livelihoods of local poor ethnic minorities, reducing poverty in the Northwest region of Viet Nam.

The Position

ICRAF Viet Nam country office is seeking for the dynamic Field Technician to base in Tram Tau, Yen Bai province to work for the Agroecology for resilient landscapes to overcome poverty of ethnic minorities in Northern Vietnam uplands project. The position is created to work with farmers to develop and implement impactful agroforestry-based interventions for smallholder farmers, and in documenting their outcomes and possible impacts. The selected candidate will report to both the project coordinator and she/he will also work closely with the local partners at communes and district.

Main Responsibilities

1. Agroecology for resilient landscapes to overcome poverty of ethnic minorities in Northern uplands project (10mon./year)

Facilitator with agronomy and social skills: to set up some of the work on the ground, set up farmer groups, work with farmers on design and implement agroforestry practices, organize capacity building/trainings/ event day for farmers and other stakeholders, facilitate workshop.
Research: conduct surveys, contribute to questionnaire design and programming (ODK), data management and simple analyses and team leader for enumerators in the field.
Monitoring and evaluation: systematically observe and document field research activities, results, outputs and out comes through field note, on-site field research, household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews. Collect data for agroforestry/agroecology practices in the project sites. Evaluate loss and damage as well as resilient farming practices after extreme weather events.
Writing and reporting: synthesize and write field report.
Seeking for scaling opportunities at the district level and beyond: through action plans, programs, NGOs as well as private sector
Partnership: Maintain effective relationships with project partners at the field level.
Social mobilization: work closely with female and male Hmong farmers, understand their needs and encourage them to engage actively in project activities
Perform other duties when required.

2. SLU-funded project and others (2mon./year)

Data collection and provide support for management & monitoring of field trials in Dien Bien, Son La and Yen Bai provinces.
Perform other tasks as deemed necessary

Qualifications and Skills Required

Minimum Academic and Professional Qualifications:

Bachelor in agroforestry, agronomy, crop science, forestry, agriculture, sustainable NRM, rural development, or related field. Master’s degree is a merit.

Minimum Work Experience:

At least three years of relevant experience
Experience in working with not-for-profit organizations and government institutions.
Demonstrated experience with organizing farmer interest groups
Demonstrated experience with ethnic minority and gender-work in the field
Experience in project M&E and/or management is an asset.

Skills and Competencies

Well organized; able to meet deadlines
Good command of English
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multi-cultural teams.
Computer literacy, ODK-programming skills a bonus
Good understanding of time management and able to work under pressure
Ability to work independently
Good knowledge of negotiations and communication
Good facilitation and public-speaking skill
Be independent, rigorous, have excellent social skills, and are passionate and motivated by the social and environmental impact potential of their work.
Willingness to spend most of the time in the field (Yen Bai and other provinces in the Northwest region)
High interest in receiving feedback from others

Terms of offer

Initial three-year contract with a competitive salary, to be renewed until project end.
The contract is subject to 3 (three) monthsprobation period, assessment of performance and availability of resources

How to apply

Applications for the position must include:

A cover letter illustrating your suitability for the position against the listed requirements
A detailed curriculum vitae.
The names and addresses of three referees, including telephone, and email address

All correspondence should be addressed to the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Office Hanoi, at the 13th floor, HCMCC building, 249A Thuy Khue street, Tay Ho district, Hanoi, Vietnam OR via email: ICRAF-VIETNAM@CGIAR.ORG. Applicants should indicate “Application – Field Technician” on their application letters and email submissions.

Applications will be considered until the 24th October 2021. Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

ICRAF believes that staff diversity promotes excellence, and strongly encourages local-based candidates to apply. We invite you to learn more about ICRAF at our website