Country: Benin
Closing date: 17 Feb 2016
For an assignment as a development worker we are looking for the location Bohicon in Benin for an Business administrator, organisational developer (specialising in agriculture), farmer
Field of activity
The sector project ‘Green innovation centres for the agriculture and food sector’ is one of the projects implemented by GIZ as part of the special initiative One World – No Hunger by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to assist selected countries in boosting production and income on a sustainable basis. In Benin, the programme is promoting small and medium-sized farming enterprises. One of the key strategic players is the non-governmental organisation Association de Lutte pour un Développement Intégré et pour la Protection de l’Environnement (ALDIPE).
After 25 years of experience in the field, ALDIPE has relevant knowledge and strategies to implement projects and is well regarded by the target groups among the rural population. One of its ongoing projects aims to promote smallholders and women's groups in the agriculture sector. The project focuses on reclaiming swampy lowlands all around Bohicon through the cultivation of rice, the introduction of crops with a short vegetation period to adapt to changed climatic conditions, and the use of improved technologies and selected seed and high-quality fertilisers. In addition to technical support, ALDIPE provides targeted training for the stakeholders. In addition, it identifies options for financing agricultural activities and facilitates access to them.
Your tasks
You will assist ALDIPE in coordinating its activities more effectively in order to enhance its public relations with national and international partners and to promote the NGO's position in the socio-political context
In consultation with GIZ's various programme components, particularly those of the project ‘Green innovation centres for the agriculture and food sector’ (ProCIVA), you will collaborate with ALDIPE to develop a plan of action to record the needs of the target groups and to fulfil them in a structured way
You will have direct contact with the local actors and will implement the areas of activity included in the plan of action
Your profile
You offer the following qualifications
Vocational/university qualifications in business administration, regional planning, organisational development, agriculture, agricultural science/agricultural economics
At least two years of relevant professional experience
A good command of written and spoken French
Good communication and consulting skills, preferably intercultural communication
You offer the following competencies
Expertise in the field of organisational development for farming enterprises/civil society organisations
Gender aspects in agriculture
Environmental protection and climate change
Adult education
Assignment period
24 months plus preparation
Conditions regarding location
Place of residence: Bohicon, Zou department, southern central area, approx. 125 km north of Cotonou
Climate: sub-equatorial with two rainy seasons (April–June and August–October), high humidity, 25–35°C. Living in this climate requires considerable stress tolerance and fitness
Health care: pharmacies and fairly small private clinics locally, better health care in Cotonou, where basic medical care is available; for further information, please go to: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de
Shopping and supplies: local markets and various small shops selling common food and household goods
Travel connections: around 3 hours by car from Cotonou on asphalt roads, bus connection
Schools and school fees: There are no international schools, but there are schools run by the state or the church; schooling in Bohicon by no means meets European standards
Miscellaneous: Living conditions and the security situation in Benin are good compared with other countries in the region. Bohicon (>100,000 inhabitants) is part of the conurbation of the historic city of Abomey (history and culture of the Abomey Kingdom)
General conditions
The place of assignment is not entirely suitable for staff with school-age children. A distance learning school would be an alternative option.
Our offer
We offer you the opportunity to work in an innovative and worldwide operating institution related to development policy. Your competencies and qualifications are demanded on the spot in an interdisciplinary team. The Development Service of GIZ offers a comprehensive service package. It includes a specific technical and personal preparation. Your contract period is at least 24 months with the option of extension.
Information on the service package
Other information
GIZ's Development Service is looking forward to applications of candidates with a professional qualification and / or university degree and at least two years of professional experience. In addition you hold the German nationality, the nationality of a member state of the European Union or of Switzerland.
Please understand that we can accept and process in principle only applications via our E-recruiting system. If you should not be able to post an application via the system, you are welcome to contact the person indicated at the end of the job description.
Please check after your application regularly the spam and junk mail folder of your mail account, since the e-mails of the recruiting system are categorized as spam by some providers.
How to apply:
If we caught your interest, we are looking forward to your application until If we caught your interest, we are looking forward to your application until 17.02.2016.