Technical Officer (Agriculture/Horticulture/Livestock)

• Minimum 5 years of overall professional experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial or leadership role within nutrition, health, or food security programs.
• Candidates above the specified age may be considered based on exceptional experience and qualifications.
• Strong leadership, communication, coordination, and digital reporting skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Organizational Policies & Safeguarding

• Zero Tolerance: SHED strictly prohibits sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA), fraud, corruption, and child abuse.
• Ineligibility: Applicants with a history of substance abuse, including smoking or excessive alcohol consumption, or any previous allegations or convictions related to PSEA will not be considered.
• Anti-Lobbying: Any attempt to influence the recruitment process through lobbying, personal communication, or external recommendations will result in disqualification. Such applicants will not be shortlisted or invited for further assessment.

Society for Health Extension and Development (SHED) is a national NGO working in Bangladesh since 1989, implementing projects in Health, Nutrition, WASH, Food Security, Protection, and DRR with support from UN agencies and international development partners.

In collaboration with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, SHED is seeking a qualified and motivated professional for the Inclusive Cities for Nutrition (IC4N) – 18-Month Cost Extension project.

Location: Cox’s Bazar Pourashava (Municipality)
Contract Duration: 18 months, with an initial one-year contract subject to extension.

Job Purpose

The position will provide technical and strategic leadership to ensure effective delivery of nutrition interventions, with particular emphasis on nutrition-sensitive food systems and climate-smart production within Cox’s Bazar Municipality.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor innovative urban horticulture models, including vertical gardens, sack gardening, and climate-smart production practices.

• Provide practical technical assistance for homestead and rooftop gardening, promoting sustainable, organic, and nutritious food production.

• Offer technical guidance on crop selection, irrigation, pest and disease management, and urban agroecological practices.

• Support approximately 2,400 producers in adopting nutrition-sensitive production techniques and climate-smart agricultural practices.

• Develop training materials and conduct capacity-building sessions for Local Service Providers (LSPs), extension personnel, and community members.

• Lead technical training for Community Mobilizers and Lead Mothers on advanced nutrition and production practices.

• Organize and facilitate sessions on climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable urban food systems.

• Act as Officer In-Charge when the Team Leader is unavailable and oversee relevant project management responsibilities.

• Supervise and monitor Community Mobilizers to ensure field activities are implemented according to required quality standards.

• Develop sustainable market linkages among urban producers, traders, and retailers to improve income opportunities and local food availability.

• Coordinate with Cox’s Bazar Municipality and relevant government authorities to ensure effective project integration.

• Engage community leaders and local authorities on nutrition-sensitive food policies and the advantages of agroecological practices.

• Collect and document field data using KOBO Toolbox or other appropriate digital tools to monitor horticultural activities and progress.

• Prepare monthly progress updates, production/yield records, and impact assessment reports.

• Assist project leadership in preparing quality donor reports by providing technical information, achievement data, and relevant field insights.