Agricultural Irrigation Adviser, Sierra Leone

Volunteer with VSO as an Agricultural Irrigation Adviser based with International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). 24 months placement.

Agriculture is the primary occupation for most of Sierra Leone, employing two-thirds of the population and accounting for over 50% of the nation's GDP. Many of Sierra Leone's 6 million populous live on small scattered farms and use a scheme of bush-fallow rotation, slash-and-burn preparation and limited use of fertilizers. The Agriculture Irrigation Adviser's role aims to increase smallholder farmer's access to land and to increase the productive area for crops such as rice, cocoa, coffee and palm oil. The ultimate aim being that irrigation, technical skills and markets for products is improved.

What does the role involve?
The placement is based with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and will require work with local smallholders to increased farming on inland valley swamps. To do this you will:

• develop specific measures and implementation plans for water management and irrigation in the rice-based farming systems
• train farmers to develop farm operations from planting to marketing in order to increase quantity and quality
• support the rehabilitation of existing and overgrown inland valley swamp areas
• participate in consultative meetings at the district and local level
• conduct institutional analysis of the service providers that are involved in the project.

Skills, qualifications and experience required
You will be an Irrigation Engineer with a relevant degree in your field (e.g. BSc or MSc in irrigation engineering, agricultural engineering or farming systems). Following your training, you will have significant experience in your field and have numerous examples of installing pressurized and gravity irrigation schemes. Your experience will include working knowledge of borehole sinking, low cost/easy to operate submersible pumps and pressurized irrigation systems. Design and implementation experience of their conveyance and distribution networks, plus hands on experience of agricultural production and water management. A significant amount of time for this role will be spent in the field, therefore you will need to be able to work in remote locations with minimal supervision, have strong conceptual knowledge and practical application, have effective communication skills and the ability to build excellent working relationships. Flexibility and adaptability are required, plus the personality to work well in a team and open to riding a motorbike to travel.

And the rest....
This volunteer placement is mainly field based and locations are in rural Sierra Leone with fewer basic facilities than you would expect in a city. Sierra Leone has many coastal swamp areas, rising to a plateau in the east. The role requires a fluent English speaker, but learning the local Krio language will be useful too. We'll ask you to commit to at least 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to our development goals. In return, we'll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. Where we'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return to your home country, we'll support you to resettle.