Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 9 countries: Zambia, Kenya, South Sudan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Cambodia, Tanzania, Uganda, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has over $92 million in programs, and approximately 2000 staff based in in the various country offices and the three Head Quarter Locations of New York City, Washington D.C, Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.
I. Summary of position
The Project Officer is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of CREATE project activities at district and community level. The position serves as the primary interface between the project and beneficiary communities, ensuring effective collaboration with farmers, Camp Extension Officers (CEOs), District Agriculture Offices, traditional leadership, local authorities and other stakeholders.
The Project Officer will promote climate-smart agriculture, strengthen community resilience to climate change, support sustainable natural resource management, facilitate farmer capacity building, and ensure timely delivery of project outputs in line with donor requirements and organizational standards.
KEY ACTIVITIES IN YOUR ROLE WILL INCLUDE
1. Community Engagement and Stakeholder Coordination
- Serve as the principal field representative of the CREATE project.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with beneficiary farmers and farmer groups.
- Work closely with Government to ensure project activities complement Government agricultural programmes and policies.
- Coordinate project implementation with Camp Extension Officers (CEOs), Block Supervisors and District Agriculture Offices.
- Work closely with Chiefs, Headmen and Community Leaders to ensure community ownership of project interventions.
- Facilitate community meetings, sensitization campaigns and stakeholder consultations.
- Support establishment and strengthening of community governance structures where necessary.
· Facilitate coordination meetings and forums at the district level to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing.
· Engage with private sector partners for input supply, market access, and technology transfer.
- Promote community participation and accountability throughout project implementation.
2. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Promotion
- Lead the implementation and promotion of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices, including conservation agriculture, climate-resilient crop production, efficient water management, small-scale irrigation systems, soil fertility improvement, agroforestry, integrated pest management, diversified farming systems, and climate risk reduction measures.
- Provide technical guidance, training, and extension support to farmers to facilitate the adoption of improved agricultural technologies and climate-resilient farming practices.
- Strengthen farmers' capacity to increase agricultural productivity, enhance resilience to climate change, and sustainably conserve soil, water, and other natural resources.
3. Capacity Building
· Build the capacity of local partners, government extension officers, and community groups on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
· Support the establishment and strengthening of farmer groups and cooperatives, promoting women's participation and leadership.
· Organize farmer trainings, demonstrations, Facilitate Farmer Field Schools, Support lead farmer development, Mentor community facilitators.
· Promote good agricultural practices throughout the production cycle and establish demonstration plots.
Water Security, Irrigation and Agroforestry Management
- Lead the implementation of community irrigation activities through farmer mobilisation, coordination of water user groups, irrigation scheduling, and the promotion of efficient and equitable water use.
- Support the operation, maintenance, and sustainability of irrigation infrastructure while promoting the adoption of solar-powered irrigation technologies to enhance climate-resilient agricultural production.
- Promote water security by encouraging water conservation practices, protecting water resources, and strengthening community capacity for the sustainable management of irrigation systems.
- Facilitate sustainable landscape restoration through tree planting, agroforestry, catchment protection, soil and water conservation, and sustainable land management practices.
- Support environmental restoration and climate adaptation initiatives that enhance ecosystem resilience, conserve natural resources, and improve the long-term productivity and sustainability of farming systems.
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6. Project Planning, Implementation & Accountability
- Prepare and implement monthly work plans, monitor the progress and quality of project activities, identify implementation challenges and recommend practical solutions, and support procurement planning to ensure the timely and effective delivery of field interventions.
- Ensure proper utilization of project resources.
- Community Accountability and Safeguarding: Promote Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) by strengthening beneficiary feedback mechanisms, ensuring compliance with safeguarding standards, advancing gender equality and social inclusion, facilitating the meaningful participation of vulnerable households, and maintaining confidentiality while upholding the organization's Code of Conduct.
- Ensure full compliance with Government regulations, Action Against Hunger and donor policies and procedures, including financial and procurement requirements, environmental and safeguarding standards, and occupational health and safety protocols.
7. Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation
- Collect and manage high-quality field data, monitor beneficiary participation, verify project outputs, and maintain accurate beneficiary databases and project records.
- Prepare timely and comprehensive weekly and monthly progress reports while documenting success stories, lessons learned, and best practices to inform project learning and adaptive management.
- Support baseline studies, routine monitoring, evaluation, and other MEAL activities to ensure accurate performance tracking and evidence-based decision-making.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Agricultural Extension, Crop Science, Horticulture, Irrigation Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Climate Change, Forestry, Agricultural Economics, Rural Development, or another closely related field.
- A postgraduate qualification in Climate Change, Sustainable Agriculture, Project Management, or a related discipline will be an added advantage.
Experience
- Minimum of 3 years' relevant experience implementing agricultural, climate resilience, food security, or rural development programmes.
- Demonstrated experience promoting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and sustainable farming practices.
- Experience working directly with smallholder farmers, farmer groups, cooperatives, and community-based organizations.
- Experience collaborating with District Agriculture Offices, Camp Extension Officers, traditional leaders, local authorities, and other government stakeholders.
- Experience supporting small-scale irrigation, water resource management, agroforestry, natural resource management, or watershed/catchment management programmes.
- Experience facilitating community mobilization, farmer training, Farmer Field Schools, and extension services.
- Experience with donor-funded projects (e.g., GIZ, EU, USAID, FAO, World Bank, or similar) is desirable.
- Experience in monitoring, data collection, reporting, and using digital data collection tools will be an added advantage.
Technical Competencies
- Strong knowledge of Climate Smart Agriculture and conservation agriculture.
- Knowledge of irrigation systems, water security, agroforestry, and sustainable natural resource management.
- Good understanding of agricultural extension methodologies and participatory community engagement approaches.
- Ability to prepare quality technical reports and work plans.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with KoboToolbox, ODK, or similar digital data collection platforms is an advantage.
Behavioural Competencies
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build trust among farmers, government officers, and traditional leaders.
- High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
- Strong planning, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work independently in remote rural settings with minimal supervision.
- Commitment to teamwork, gender equality, safeguarding, and community accountability.
- Willingness to travel extensively within the project districts.
Our Core values.
In this position, you are expected to demonstrate Action Against Hunger-USA’s five core values
Respect- we work with compassion and dedication, treating everyone the same way we expect them to treat us.
Integrity-: we believe that being honest and fair is integral to every aspect of our work. conducting our work with a spirit of sincerity, truthfulness and transparency is imperative.
Creativity-we encourage new ideas, embrace innovative solutions, and create opportunities for meaningful and exciting ways to do our jobs and provide solutions to address the needs of the populations we serve.
Excellence- we strive to provide services that meet and even exceed the expectations of our stakeholders (populations in need, staff, communities and donors).
Empowerment- we are committed to fostering an environment in which our staff, partners and communities where we work have the space to grow, develop and feel confident about participating.
Gender Equality Commitments and Zero Tolerance of Abuse
- Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
- Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
- Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
- Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
- Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
- Value and respect all cultures
All candidates should send their CVs to hrzambia@zm-actionagainsthunger.org not later than 17th July, 2026. Action Against Hunger-USA provides all staff with an attractive salary & benefits package. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
