Program Assistant - Crop Production at Cooperazione Internazionale - COOPI

COOPI - Cooperazione Internazionale is an Italian humanitarian non-governmental organization founded in Milan in 1965. COOPI aims to help the world’s poorest to improve their access to healthcare, food, and financial security, and to overcome their special vulnerability to wars, civil conflicts and natural disasters. For 50 years of long-term support and constant presence in the field, COOPI has been engaged in breaking the cycle of poverty and responding to specific emergencies in numerous sectors, including Food Security, Humanitarian Aid, Health, Socio-Economical Services, Water and Sanitation, Disaster Risk Reduction, Human Rights, Education and Training, Migrations and Sustainable Energy.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Program Assistant - Crop Production

Location: Potiskum, Yobe
Employment Type: Full-time
Project: Resilience and Social Cohesion (Peace) in Northeast Nigeria – Potiskum Location: Potiskum, Yobe State, Nigeria.
Reporting to: Crop Production Officer Duration: 12 Months.

Responsibilities
Agricultural Support and Extension Services:

• Assist in conducting farmer training sessions on improved crop production techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and post-harvest management.
• Support the distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds, fertilizers, tools) to beneficiaries.
• Monitor crop performance and provide technical advice to farmers.
• Assist in establishing demonstration farms and Farmer Field Schools (FFS).
• Assist with the implementation of irrigation schemes with technical advice from the Rural and Infrastructure Engineer
• Support with the postharvest handling training and crop storage techniques
• Mobilize farmers to participate in the WFP proximity procurement scheme
• Mobilize farmers to participate in the NCX Agriculture Crop Trading Platform and warehouse receipt system
• Support with the mobilization of farmers for contract farming in partnership with the private sector
• Data Collection and Reporting
• Collect field data on crop production, challenges, and successes.
• Maintain records of beneficiary participation and input distribution.
• Submit weekly/monthly reports to the Crop Production Officer.

Community Engagement and Coordination:

• Mobilize farmers and community groups for project activities.
• Work closely with local leaders, government extension workers, and other stakeholders.
• Promote gender-sensitive approaches to ensure women’s participation.

Conflict Sensitivity and Peacebuilding:

• Integrate peacebuilding messaging into agricultural activities.
• Identify and mitigate potential conflicts related to resource access. 

General Conditions for this position:

• Willingness to travel frequently to rural communities.
• Adherence to project policies on gender equality and conflict sensitivity.
• Collaborate with other project teams (peacebuilding, Forestry and Natural Resources Management, Nutrition etc.).

Requirements

• Diploma/Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in agricultural extension or livelihood projects.
• Familiarity with Northeast Nigeria’s farming systems.
• Fluency in Hausa/Kanuri (local language proficiency required).
• Strong communication and community mobilization skills.

Application Closing Date
4th August, 2025.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online