The main role of the Senior Agronomist is to provide high-level agronomic and agroforestry expertise for the implementation of the project “Sustainable Agriculture and Land Management”. The role focuses on agroforestry systems design, soil fertility management, sustainable land restoration, regenerative agriculture, SALM methodologies, biomass and soil carbon enhancement, and the development of nature-based solutions and reaches targets’ achievements of the project.
1. Contributing to the overall donor’s decarbonization targets through the generation of carbon credits by virtue of the utilization of SALM method. All credits generated will be registered and certified according to the highest standards provided by Verra, one of the most important international registries operating in the voluntary carbon market, such as VCS (Verified Carbon Standard) and SD Vista (Sustainable Development Verified Impact Standard).
2. Promote local development through the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation avoiding carbon emissions with preserving and protecting biodiversity in Mozambique.
Net salary: 30.000-37.000 EUR per year depending on experience
Senior Agronomist – Agroforestry & Nature-Based Solutions
Main tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical supervision and have the final responsibility for the implementation of all agronomic, agroforestry and SALM-related activities, in accordance with the project proposal, budget, planning and time schedule, in concert with the Nature Based Carbon Offsetting Programme Coordinator.
• Ensure the achievement of all technical targets and key performance indicators linked to sustainable agriculture, soil management, agroforestry establishment, and carbon sequestration.
• Contribute to the recruitment, orientation and training of the agronomic field teams.
• Coordinate and technically guide project staff, strengthening their capacity and autonomy in implementing SALM practices, agroforestry systems, soil conservation techniques, and regenerative agriculture approaches.
• Coordinate all data collection and monitoring activities on the field according to the selected international standard (e.g. VERRA).
• Ensure quality and sustainability of project results through technical planning, field supervision, monitoring, evaluation and continuous improvement of agronomic practices.
• Promote nexuses and synergies with other national and international projects and programs in agriculture, climate resilience, and environment.
• Elaborate any other technical or narrative reports as required by AVSI, local authorities, donor and/or the selected international standard.
• Maintain and develop proactive relationships with partners, local authorities and all stakeholders involved in agriculture, forestry and environment.
• Periodically interact with HQ focal points for coordinating and sharing new agronomic strategies, innovations, lessons learnt, criticalities, trainings and workshops.
• Share within AVSI worldwide network the most significant experiences and lessons learnt in agroforestry, SALM and NbS.
• Carry out any other duties and/or responsibilities assigned by the supervisor.
Essential Requirements
• Master's degree in agricultural science or environmental science or related field;
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated relevant professional experience in the sustainable land management, agriculture, forest and agroforestry management or related fields, business development, possibly with experiences as project manager;
• At least 5 years of work in tropical and sub-tropical area;
• Knowledge of carbon markets, policy and finance is an asset;
• Knowledge of Portuguese (or other Latin language) and English language.
Required skills and experiences
• Ability to articulate and coordinate effectively with the government, local and international NGOs, and other actors;
• Computer skills: Excellent knowledge of the main Office IT tools, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint Teams and Outlook;
• Previous experience in Mozambique will be considered an advantage;
• Knowledge of GIS (QGIS and ArcGIS);
• Experience in Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) or a community-centered process that empowers local people.
*AVSI reserves the right to request information from previous employers regarding any disputes, safeguarding concerns, investigations, or disciplinary actions, and to require the candidate to provide criminal and civil records, for the purpose of assessing the worker’s professional suitability for roles involving contact with vulnerable individuals, including children and adults.*
** AVSI applies the principle of inclusiveness and non-discrimination in its selection process, ensuring equal opportunities regardless of sex, age, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, religious belief, disability, or belonging to protected classes.