Food Systems Resilience Program

Food Systems Resilience Program
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
Government of Sierra Leone

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Date: 4th March 2025
BACKGROUND:
The Sierra Leone Rice Systems Capacity Strengthening Project aims to increase the adoption of sustainable, climate-smart practices in rice production among smallholder farmers in Sierra Leone. Knowledge sharing with Vietnam is central, targeting improved climate-resilient techniques on lowland (riverine, grassland) ecologies, targeting 12,000 smallholder rice farmers and 100 seed growers across four districts: Kenema, Tonkolili, Moyamba, and Kambia.

Title:Knowledge Management Officer – One (1) Position to be filled
Location:Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, HQ , Freetown
Reporting to:FSRP Project Manager
CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed Term
ROLE SPECIFICATION:
The Knowledge Management (KM) Officer will support the Sierra Leone Rice Systems Capacity Strengthening Project by designing and implementing effective knowledge management strategies. The Officer will focus on capturing, organizing, and disseminating valuable insights, lessons learned, and innovations from project activities, ensuring that knowledge products enhance the adoption of climate-smart rice production practices and strengthen institutional capacity.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Development of Skills in Rice Production
⦁ Work with Principal to carryout stakeholder consultations aimed at identifying or setting up of demonstration sites, learning plots or farmer field schools for the introduction of climate-smart technologies and other sustainable agricultural practices for rice production
⦁ Lead the documentation of training activities and demonstration plots to capture effective practices and lessons learned.
⦁ Oversee the creation of knowledge resources, such as fact sheets, manuals, jingles, videos and infographics, and case studies to support the training of trainers (ToT) sessions and the dissemination of low-carbon, sustainable rice practices such as SRI.
⦁ Organize Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions on rice systems for rice research scientists, technicians, extension officers and other service providers (including master farmers) to increase knowledge in innovative and climate smart practices in rice systems.
⦁ Leverage on the E-Extension digital platform developed with support from the World Bank financed FSRP to disseminate new adaptable rice production technologies and best practices
⦁ Participate in exhibitions / events organized by GoSL or other partners to showcase Project outputs
Institutional Capacity Strengthening
⦁ Collaborate with FAO and Vietnamese experts to capture and document insights from institutional capacity-building activities, focusing on sustainable rice systems and technical innovations.
⦁ Design and implement mechanisms for knowledge exchange and collaboration between local institutions, research centers and the international partners engaged in the project.
Knowledge Dissemination
⦁ Develop a comprehensive knowledge dissemination strategy to share project achievements, case studies, and lessons with broader audiences, including stakeholders in the agricultural sector, policy makers, and the public.
⦁ Coordinate with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to ensure that knowledge management activities align with project outcomes and indicators.
⦁ Use digital tools, including the E-Extension services, to expand access to knowledge resources and ensure continuous learning for rice farmers and stakeholders.
General Knowledge Management Duties
⦁ Capture ongoing lessons, challenges, and innovations from field activities in the four target districts (Kenema, Tonkolili, Moyamba, and Kambia) to support adaptive project management and decision-making.
⦁ Engage local communities, farmer associations, and women’s groups in knowledge-sharing activities to ensure inclusivity and relevance of project knowledge.
⦁ Develop knowledge-sharing events, workshops, and reports to facilitate learning across the project and promote best practices for rice production.
⦁ Ensure visibility for the Japan Social Development Fund’s support through consistent branding in all knowledge materials and dissemination activities.
DURATION
This position offers an initial one-year contract, renewable up to three years based on performance, with a 6-month probation period.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Qualification and Experience:
⦁ Bachelors degree in knowledge management, agricultural extension, agricultural sciences, communications, or a related field.
⦁ At least 3 years of experience in knowledge management within agricultural development projects, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, climate-smart practices, or rice production systems.
⦁ Strong expertise in knowledge management systems, digital tools for knowledge sharing, and the creation of knowledge products.
⦁ Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality, targeted knowledge products, including reports, case studies, training materials, and multimedia content.
⦁ Strong analytical skills to synthesize information into impactful insights for diverse audiences.
⦁ Experience working on international development projects or with technical assistance teams is highly desirable.
⦁ Experience collaborating with agricultural research institutions, extension services, and farmer-based organizations is preferred.
⦁ Proven ability to work in multicultural environments and with international experts, including collaboration with South-South partners is desired.
To apply, please send your application (a mandatory cover letter and an updated CV with at least 3 references) to the following email addresses:mamara@fsrp-sl.org/kepifri.lakoh@maf.gov.sl

IMPORTANT NOTES:
⦁ Only email applications sent to the above email address will be included in the pool of applicants to be assessed by FSRP-MAFS. No hand deliveries will be accepted. Please also note that your CV should contain your full contact details such as residence address, working mobile telephone number, working email address, as well as those of your three referees.
⦁ Selected candidates will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
⦁ The recruitment will initially be for a period of one year and thereafter an annual extension subject to performance and funds availability.
⦁ Complete TOR will be shared upon request using the email addresses above.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONIS: Monday 31st March 2025