Inter Aide,Research Officer Jobs in Malawi

In order to
promote the diffusion of impactful practices, Inter Aide wishes to carry out a
specific study consisting in illustrating, analysing and documenting
interesting agroforestry solutions set up by family farmers in Malawi

Country: Malawi

Organisation: Inter Aide (www.interaide.org)

Duration:** 6 months

Description
of the mission

Through several
study cases, the volunteer’s main task is to analyse and document different
agroforestry approaches in order to promote their diffusion amongst an
increasing number of families. This will have to be coherent with three main
themes:

1. Practises
aiming at increasing wood production

Access to wood
(timber and firewood for cooking and brick manufacture) is one of the major
constraints for Malawian farmers who, on the other hand, experience one of the
highest deforestation rates in Africa. Hence, one of the aims of the mission is
to clearly
identify and quantify households’ needs in terms of wood and the coping strategies
they put into practice in a context of very little external
support. The study will then document and analyse some of the concrete
practises identified as ways of solution, for instance:

· Wind-break wood-producing
hedges. Based on concrete case studies, the volunteer will
describe the techniques observed, the species and varieties used, the
propagation methods, the pruning practises, before evaluating the economic
outcome of these techniques and their possible effects on the surrounding
cropping systems.

· Woodlots.
Whether they are common or individual plots, several specific cases will be
studied like old woodlots in age of production, newly set plots, etc. The study
will describe and analyse the main determinants to this kind of activity (plot
set up, species and varieties used, management, environmental and economic
advantages…).

2. Associations
between crops and useful trees

In Malawi, almost
all organic matter is exported from the fields which progressively leads to
soil depletion. As of today, this situation can only be compensated through the
massive use of expensive chemical fertilisers. Despite the existence of
alternative solutions (like compost making), they are rather adapted to small
surfaces and have many constraints related to the lack of raw materials (like
manure), increased workload and difficulties of transport.

The objective of
this work is then to
document and analyse various agro-ecological approaches that
can be observed in the field or through demonstration plots (agroforestry,
green hedges…).

For instance:

· Live hedges around and within
rain-fed plots and dimbas (dimbas are humid lowlands that can
be cultivated during the dry season) aimed
at producing biomass:

Examples:

§ cassava plots
protected with live hedges

§ live hedges used
as green fertilisers (thitonia)

· Crops associations with trees,
in particular association tests of maize/Gliricidia within

· Integration of other useful
tree species such as fruit trees.

3. Approaches
and organisational models

This third component
of the study will focus on the social and organisational approaches related to
the implementation and diffusion of these techniques. This section will also
include the elaboration of practical guidelines and brochures on some key
technical and organisational aspects related to these activities (plant
multiplication techniques, production calendars, trees protection measures,
economic outcomes, etc.).

Expected
outcomes

A synthesis document
as well as practical guidelines aimed at better diffusing these experiences.
Prior to its release on a larger scale, these documents have to be validated by
the main stakeholders involved.

Reporting

The volunteer will
have to demonstrate a great level of autonomy. He/she will be in direct link
with the Knowledge Management officer with whom he/she will communicate
regularly to discuss about the work progress and preliminary results. On the
other hand, the volunteer will be supported by local Inter Aide teams.

Location

The volunteer will
be based in the town of Nathenje (where the Inter Aide field office is situated),
and is expected to frequently travel to the intervention zones.

Languages: English (work language).
Local populations often only speak Chichewa.

Conditions:

Skills and
experience required

Please send your
application (resume and a cover letter) under reference VSI/Malawi to
interaide@interaide.org

Selection of
applications will be processed as they are received.

Deadline
application: 15
May 2016

Starting date: early June 2016