Green Champion

The Aga Khan Foundation is a leading global development organisation working to tackle the root causes of poverty. For more than 50 years, we have helped create strong community institutions that support sustainable, locally driven initiatives to improve the lives of millions of people. By combining local knowledge with global best practices, we strive to bring about transformative and long-lasting improvements to quality of life.

Working alongside the agencies of the Aga Khan Development Network and through partnerships with local communities, civil society and business as well as governments and international aid agencies, we are building a future where we all thrive together. AKF Kenya is seeking to engage 5 Green Champions to support the institution's climate initiatives within Kwale County, specifically in the regions of Kinango, Vanga, Shimba Hills, Tsimba Golini and Ndavaya. The Green Champions will have the role of community-based extensionists working directly with community members and smallholder farmers, to deliver trainings through the Farmers Field School approach, and on-farm coaching, supporting communities in Mangrove restoration activities, promoting uptake of clean energy solutions and water management in target communities, among other climate resilience initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Promote Regenerative Farming

• Mobilization of smallholder farmers for training through existing community structures.
• Developing fieldwork schedules in collaboration with the coordinators, and training target farmers.
• Collect data and information related to the adoption and impact on farmers' adoption, yields, input cost reductions, and income.
• Support the documentation of success stories, lessons learned, and best practices from fieldwork experiences.

Establishment of Microforests, Agroforestry, and Mangroves restoration

• Carry out site assessments and participate in planting and follow up activities at the designated sites.
• Support community members particularly women in the establishment of tree nurseries.
• Conduct monitoring visit of the established sites to determine tree survival rates, disease, pest surveillance, and any changes in biodiversity.

Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture & Behaviour Change

• Support nutrition assessments by working with the technical team to analyze community diets, nutrition gaps and cultural practices, and gather insights during farm visits.
• Deliver nutrition-focused SIIIMs and practical demonstrations while promoting dietary diversity and improved household nutrition practices.
• Support the adoption of kitchen gardens by assisting households to establish and maintain gardens and ensure year-round food availability.

Market Linkages & Livelihood Strengthening

• Support farmer groups to identify priority value chains, improve aggregation and quality standards, and engage effectively with market actors.
• Coordinate training for farmer groups on post-harvest handling, value addition, and basic business and financial literacy.
• Support farmer groups in setting up and managing collection, handling, and storage systems for produce.

Clean Energy Initiative

• Carry out site assessments of clean energy establishment sites.
• Support community members particularly women in adopting clean energy solutions.
• Conduct monitoring visit and documentation of the established clean energy assets.

Water management Initiative

• Carry out site assessments of water establishment sites.
• Support community members particularly women in adopting water harvesting infrastructure.
• Conduct monitoring visit and documentation of the established water harvesting facilities.

Documentation, Reporting, and Learning

• Document and report on progress in uptake of regenerative farming, established clean energy assets, water harvesting facilities and human-interest stories associated with these initiatives.
• Contribute to making project briefs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Participate in training workshops to enhance local communities' understanding of nature-based solutions and climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Communication and Outreach

• Support in communication and outreach efforts to raise awareness about nature-based solutions and climate resilience.
• Support in the development of communication materials, including audio-visual and print materials
• Compiling activities reports and data, including signed attendance registers, and field activity reports.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• At least Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Grade D+
• At least a Certificate in General Agriculture, community development, forestry, agroforestry from a recognized Institution in Kenya.
• Youth between 18 to 30 years of age, particularly women.
• Ability to communicate in English and Kiswahili both written and spoken.
• Ability to deliver the training to community members including farmers.
• Ability to prepare field activity schedules and field activity reports as required.
• Ability to handle a variety of responsibilities and work both in a self-directed manner and as a team member.
• Demonstrate attention to detail, seamless multitasking, efficient task management, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Applicants who are residents of Kinango, Vanga, Shimba Hills, Tsimba Golini and Ndavaya are highly encouraged to apply.