Position Title

Junior Technical Assistant (JTA) – Agriculture

No. of Vacancy

1

Grade

A1

Vacancy No.

02/2083/084

Project

Youth Empowerment for Transformation and Innovation (YETI) Project

Duty Station

HANDS Nepal, Field office Sindhulimadi (with 70% field visit to project area)

Contact type

One year with the possibility of extension

Working Area

Sindhuli district

Responsible to

District Project Coordinator (DPC), HANDS Nepal YETI Project.

Background

Human & National Development Society (HANDS) Nepal, established in 2001, is a non- governmental, non-political, non-profit organization focused on integrated community development and natural resource management. With a vision of a prosperous, equitable, and ethical society, HANDS Nepal’s mission is to implement initiatives fostering inclusive and equitable development. For over 25 years, the organization has promoted sustainable development, addressing areas such as governance, education, child rights, WASH, climate change, disaster risk reduction, health, and livelihoods. HANDS Nepal aims to empower marginalized groups, particularly women, children, and Dalits, to access basic needs and lead dignified lives. Through partnerships with multiple agencies and over 42 projects impacting more than 200,000 people across thirteen districts, HANDS Nepal strengthens local governments, promotes participatory governance, and ensures marginalized communities can shape their futures.

Project

Youth Empowerment for Transformation and Innovation (YETI) Project

HANDS Nepal, Sindhuli has been working in a long-term partnership with Plan International Nepal since 2012. Currently, the organization is collaborating with Plan International Nepal to implement the Youth Empowerment for Transformation and Innovationn (YETI) Project. The project goal is Economic empowerment of young girl, adolescent women and marginalized youths driving inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-driven economies. The planned intervention will be reaching to young people from targeted communities. The project will work equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to initiate and manage sustainable business enterprises. It emphasizes fostering an entrepreneurial mindset that enables youth to identify, develop, and scale innovative business ideas aligned with emerging local market opportunities. Likewise, the project will work on strengthening and institutionalizing enterprise development support systems that enable youths to access business development and support services for entrepreneurship, and business growth. The aim is to strengthen a coherent, accessible, and sustainable support ecosystem that systematically connects youth with enterprise development services and markets. Similarly, the project focuses on enabling young people particularly young women and marginalized youth to access and effectively use appropriate financial services that support their transition from training to sustainable entrepreneurship.

Furthermore, focuses on building a policy and institutional ecosystem that enables youth especially young women and marginalized groups to thrive as entrepreneurs and innovators.

General Responsibilities

The Technical Assistant – Agriculture is responsible for providing field-level technical assistance to farmers/youth entrepreneurs to improve agricultural productivity, climate-resilient farming practices, agribusiness development and market linkages. The position supports the implementation of project activities related to crop production, extension services, demonstrations, capacity building, monitoring, and coordination with local governments and private sectors to promote sustainable and market-oriented agriculture.

Key Responsibilities

1. Agriculture Production and Technical Support

Support farmers/youth entrepreneurs in selecting suitable crops and agricultural enterprises.

Provide field-level technical support on the production of vegetables, spices, fruits, and other high-value crops by promoting Good Agricultural Practices, improved crop management techniques, quality seed use, and efficient input utilization.

Conduct regular field visits to monitor crop performance and provide timely technical advice.

Support in adopting improved irrigation methods, crop diversification, post-harvest management, and value addition practices to enhance productivity and profitability.

Provide regular technical coaching and mentoring to strengthen their technical knowledge and practical skills.

2. Agribusiness and Enterprise Development

Support youth entrepreneurs in preparing agribusiness plans, enterprise development plans, and investment proposals for agricultural enterprises.

Assist farmers in conducting basic cost-benefit analyses, gross margin calculations, enterprise budgeting, and farm record keeping to improve farm profitability and business decision-making.

Promote market-oriented production systems, value addition, grading, packaging, storage, and collective marketing to enhance farmers’ income.

Facilitate linkages between farmers, cooperatives, input suppliers, financial institutions, buyers, and other market actors to strengthen agricultural value chains.

3. Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

Coordinate with Municipal Agriculture Sections, Ward Offices, agricultural service providers, cooperatives, community organizations, private input suppliers, and other relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of agricultural activities.

Support farmers/youth entrepreneurs in implementing project activities according to approved work plans.

Participate in municipal coordination meetings, agricultural campaigns, exhibitions, and stakeholder consultations as required by the project.

4. Documentation and Reporting

Prepare monthly progress reports, field visit reports, training reports, success stories, case studies, lessons learned, and other documentation required by the project.

Develop and update seasonal agricultural calendars and IEC materials to support project implementation.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Diploma in Agriculture or 10+2 in Agriculture (JTA) from a recognized institution.

Minimum one (1) year of relevant professional experience for Diploma holders or three (3) years for JTA in agricultural extension, crop production, farmer training, or agriculture and rural development projects.

Prior experience working with NGOs and/or INGOs will be considered an added advantage.

Core Competencies and Skills

Strong technical knowledge of crop production and soil management.

Community facilitation and coordination skills.

Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, documentation and reporting

Safeguarding and GESI Commitment

Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding, child protection, gender equality, disability inclusion, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and compliance with Plan International and HANDS Nepal safeguarding and GESI policies.

Other Conditions

The organization reserves the right to assign additional responsibilities relevant to the position and project needs.