Ikore, meaning “harvest” in Yoruba language, is an international development organization, proffering innovative solutions to drive sustainable social and enterprise development. Our vision is to contribute to a prosperous world that creates opportunity for a better life for all, especially the poor and vulnerable.
- Experience
- LocationEkiti , Gombe
About the Role
- The Community Engagement / Advocacy, Communication and Social Mobilisation (ACSM) Officer will lead community-level implementation of farmer-led advocacy, communication and social mobilisation activities within the assigned state. The position is responsible for mobilizing and strengthening Farmer Organizations (FOs), facilitating community dialogue, supporting farmer champions, promoting evidence-based advocacy, and strengthening trust in priority agricultural innovations. Working closely with the State Team Lead and technical specialists, the Officer will facilitate sustained engagement between farmers, government institutions, private-sector actors and other stakeholders to strengthen market responsiveness, generate credible farmer demand and improve accountability within agricultural market systems.
Key Responsibilities
Community Mobilisation and Farmer Organization Engagement
- Mobilize, engage and strengthen Farmer Organizations, producer groups and community structures to participate actively in programme interventions.
- Support Farmer Organizations to function as advocacy, learning and market coordination platforms.
- Facilitate community meetings, Farmer Organization forums and stakeholder consultations.
- Maintain regular engagement with participating communities and beneficiary groups.
Farmer-led Advocacy
- Support Farmer Organizations to identify, prioritize and articulate farmer concerns affecting market access, technology adoption and service delivery.
- Facilitate evidence-based advocacy engagements between farmers and public and private sector actors.
- Support implementation of advocacy campaigns, policy dialogues and accountability initiatives.
- Track advocacy issues and document stakeholder commitments and responses.
Communication and Social Mobilisation
- Implement community communication and awareness campaigns using appropriate local communication channels.
- Promote farmer-to-farmer learning through Farmer Champions, Women Champions and Youth Innovation Ambassadors.
- Facilitate peer learning events, demonstration plot activities and farmer validation exercises.
- Support communication initiatives that counter misinformation and promote trusted farmer-led narratives.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Maintain productive relationships with community leaders, extension agents, local government authorities, Farmer Organizations, agro-dealers, processors, financial institutions and civil society organizations.
- Support state-level stakeholder engagement activities and community consultations.
- Facilitate linkages between Farmer Organizations and market actors.
Gender and Social Inclusion
- Promote active participation of women, youth and other underserved groups in programme activities.
- Support women-led advocacy groups and encourage equitable participation in leadership and decision-making.
- Ensure community engagement activities are inclusive and responsive to local social dynamics.
Monitoring, Evidence and Reporting
- Collect and report high-quality field data using approved monitoring tools.
- Document farmer feedback, adoption trends, advocacy outcomes and community priorities.
- Prepare activity reports, success stories, case studies and field updates.
- Support implementation of surveys, assessments and learning activities.
Operational Support
- Coordinate logistics for community meetings, trainings, demonstrations and advocacy events.
- Maintain accurate records of programme participants, activities and community engagements.
Required Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, Development Studies, Agricultural Economics, Mass Communication, Sociology, Community Development, Public Administration or a related field.
- Professional training in community mobilisation, advocacy, communication or facilitation will be an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience implementing community-based agriculture, rural development or market systems programmes.
- Demonstrated experience working with Farmer Organizations, cooperatives or community-based organizations.
- Experience facilitating community mobilisation, stakeholder engagement and farmer training.
- Knowledge of agricultural value chains, advocacy and participatory development approaches.
- Experience with donor-funded projects and field data collection is an advantage.
- Strong facilitation, communication, report-writing and interpersonal skills.
Language & Location Requirements
- Fluency in spoken and written English with excellent report writing skills.
- Applicants must be a resident of choice of state or be willing to relocate immediately upon employment.
- Ability to communicate effectively in the dominant local language of the assigned state is required.
- Ability to facilitate community meetings, advocacy dialogues and Farmer Organization engagements in both English and the relevant local language.
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