MINISTRY : AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY
DEPARTMENT : FIELD SERVICES
TITTLE : DISTRICT EXTENSION OFFICER
GRADE : G
RESPONSIBLE TO : DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICER
LOCATION : BEREA
JOB SUMMARY
UNDER THE GENERAL SUPERVISION OF THE DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL OFFICER THE INCUMBENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF EXTENSION POLICY; COORDINATION OF DISTRICT EXTENSION SERVICES; EXTENSION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT; FACILITATION OF DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SHOW; SUPERVISION AND TRAINING OF STAFF AND BUDGET PREPARATION.
MAIN DUTIES
- IMPLEMENATATION OF EXTENSION POLICY
- Develops simplified training manuals on extension services to ensure smooth, effective and efficient implementation.
- Conducts workshops for Area Extension Officers on the rules and regulations governing extension to create a common understanding and interpretation as well as to enable a smooth implementation process.
- Monitors the performance of set guidelines in the different areas so as to ensure the optimal effectiveness, efficiency and relevancy to the changing environmental and developmental needs.
- Recommends to the next level of supervision the review and revision of obsolete strategic guidelines rules and regulations governing extension in order to realign them with changing environmental and developmental needs.
- Liaises with relevant divisions and departments at the district level for mutual support in the implementation of the unified. External System to gather a common understanding and interpretation of the policy.
- COORDITION OF DISTRICT EXTENSION SERVICES
- Liaises with heads of sections within the district to identify mutually complementary programmes and activities to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure the smooth and effective implementation of extensional programmes throughout the district.
- Liaises with relevant stakeholders to ensure and facilitate consistency, mutual support and synchronic implementation of extension programmes through the district.
- Compiles the sectional annual work plan from the Area Extension Coordinator in order to in order to rationalize allocation of resources.
- Holds meeting with extension staff in the planning of their extension activities in order to ensure harmonization and mutual support in the implementation of their programmes and projects.
- Participate at the divisional related meetings, conferences at the district and headquarters level to keep abreast of current developments in extensional norms standards and procedures.
- EXTENSION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Conducts research on extension systems used in the district in order to establish its effectiveness, efficiency and relevance in attaining of the ministerial policy.
- Develops and designs guidelines within which data can be collected to enable completion of appropriate/ relevant information.
- Analyses the collected data in order to determine appropriate changes to be taken in the implementation of extension activities.
- Recommends to the next level of supervision, amendments on the extension activities in order to realign them with the changing economic and developmental environment.
- FACILITATION OF DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SHOW
- Develops and designs guidelines in liaison with the district show committee on the district show programme in order to promote a high quality show.
- Facilitates the collection of show exhibits in the districts to ensure the collection of required items.
- Liaises with other stakeholders in the district in order to promote mutual support and productivity.
- Liaises with the district show committees and local organizations to secure funds to be used for awards for best in the agricultural show.
- SUPERVISION AND TRAINING OF STAFF
- Holds regular meetings with the Area Extension Coordinator under his/her supervision to facilitate planning and reporting of the section activities.
- Convenes quarterly meetings with individual supervisees to review progress and accordingly approves the required and the necessary revisions in their operational work plans so as to provide the required resources for their achievement.
- Conducts their annual performance appraisal on the individual supervisees to assess, failures and training and development needs in order to provide the necessary support.
- Identifies the training needs of the individual supervisees and establishes the strategies to guide on their training and development so as to promote their capacity, competence, efficiency and effectiveness.
- Monitors and evaluates the post training and development performs of the supervisees in order to establish the extent and impact of the undertaken training and development programs and determines the necessary action to maintain good skills and upgrade as necessary.
- PREPARATION OF THE DIVISIONAL BUDGET
- Interprets the budgetary guidelines on an annual basis to ensure that they are well understood and adhered to.
- Holds meetings with Area Extension Coordinator to set in the motion the preparation of the divisional budget to ensure that the process is completed well on time.
- Checks and verifies the sectional budgets prepared by the Area Extension Coordinator to ensure that they are in line with the provided guidelines and the annual work plan.
- Negotiates and justifies the sectional budget at the departmental level discussions in order to secure the necessary funds to finance the sectional activities.
- Consolidates the annual sectional budget for inclusion in the departmental budget.
JOB SPECIFICATION
- Master’s Degree in Agriculture/ Agricultural Extension
OR
- BSc in Agriculture/Agricultural Extension plus three (3) years field experience as Area Extension Officer and a Subject Matter Specialist (SMS).