Project Overview And Sustainability

KTK-BELT, in conjunction with its local Learning Grounds partners, is seeking to fortify ecosystems in different climatic regions, conserve natively threatened species, and help indigenous farmers sustainably produce organic crops, livestock, fish, fiber, essential oils, and other products. Our approach is to work across the entire vertical landscape and think about the ecosystem impact of agricultural systems on the wild. The approach is to establish socially and ecologically responsible food production, which reduces the impact on protected habitat and community forests. Our work considers the impact of agriculture on ‘wild’ biodiversity and is informed by permaculture and a landscape approach.

Vacant Positions And Scope of Work

We are seeking to fill two positions to build our practical, technical agriculture work. The first position is for a senior agriculture technician with significant experience in farm management, technical aspects of organic agriculture/livestock/horticulture, and the demonstrated ability to lead KTK-BELT’s overall agriculture strategy and help develop an integrated system. The second position is for someone more junior with minimum of JTA qualifications and working experience in agriculture, livestock, fisheries, and/or horticulture. Both positions require a high degree of sensitivity to caste, gender, and economic class, and the ability to develop and implement plans in accordance with KTK-BELT’s objectives. Being able to train local farmers and manage farm operations also a must for both positions.

Qualifications / Experience Desired:

• Minimum: B.Sc in Agriculture with 5 years’ experience or 10+ years of substantial relevant experience in fully managing an organic farm
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in successfully managing all operations of a working organic farm including farm design, livestock and compost systems, fruit and  vegetable farming, seasonal staple crops farming, and creating market linkages
• Possessing technical skills such as cutting and grafting techniques, transplanting,
• creating polyhouses, and other critical skills with diverse audiences.
• Advanced working knowledge of policy issues and hurdles related to organic agriculture
• Extensive knowledge of local varieties and their properties
• Expertise in sustainable compost systems, including vermicompost, and humane livestock rearing
• Strong expertise in fruit and vegetable farming and growing crops from seed
• Ability to explain sustainable agriculture practices to technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to manage JTA-level staff and local plot operators
• Ability to take direction and feedback from senior staff and ensure/monitor that activities are in line with outlined project goals
• Excellent communication skills via written, spoken and graphical means in English and other relevant languages.
• High degree of personal integrity and ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to collaborate effectively with biologists, botanists, conservation professionals, and resource managers of varying technical levels and with technical and scientific staff.  
• Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for the organic, sustainable farming
• Energetic, hard-working, and team player able to take direction and work in complex teams to achieve difficult policy objectives
• Permaculture Design Course certification a plus. Organic agriculture training coursework required
• Women and indigenous minorities highly encouraged to apply

Timing:

Applications must be received by Friday, January 12, 2017. The positions will be filled by February 1, 2017, and will be for an initial three-month trial term. Upon successful completion of the trial, a minimum of 1 year is required.

Remuneration:

Dependent on qualifications and experience and limited by an allocation from the project funder.

Duty Station:

Eastern Region of Nepal (primarily Morang)