Agriculture Program Officer (APO)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Sowers of HOPE Agriculture Program Officer is responsible for supporting the Agriculture Program Coordinator in operations of HOPE Agriculture program among implementing church partners. The Agriculture Program Officer advises and supports implementing church partners’ Field Coordinators for the HOPE Agriculture program with planning, implementing, and reporting on operations, as well as assisting church partners with budgeting, financial requests, and expense reports.

FULL JOB SUMMARY

This role supports the mission of HOPE International by strengthening church partner implementation of the Sowers of HOPE program through coaching, training, and operational oversight. It promotes servant leadership, spiritual integration, and Christ-centered program delivery. The position ensures compliance with financial and reporting standards, facilitates access to agricultural resources, and documents impact stories and best practices. It contributes to a culture of excellence, learning, and faithful service across all program activities. Additional responsibilities may be assigned by the Senior Agriculture Program Coordinator or management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Promote and fulfill the mission and vision of HOPE International.

Savings Group Program Team Engagement

• Participate in regular savings group program team meetings and planning/strategy sessions, carrying out assigned tasks and working to support team strategy 
• Model servant-leadership in the work environment, including HOPE co-workers and ministry stakeholders
• Contribute to a culture that models Biblical principles and incorporates an intentional and effective Christ-centered witness in all savings group programs.
• Encourage and model servant-like posture in relationships with field team, and church partner staff/volunteers

Sowers of HOPE Representation 

• Support, in conjunction with the SG Agriculture staff and other HOPE leadership, the organization’s relationships with partners implementing the Sowers of HOPE program and other HOPE agricultural initiatives.

Sowers of HOPE Operations

Works alongside HOPE staff to ensure that the mission is fulfilled through program implementation. This includes:

• General support to Church Partner implementation staff 

• • Provide coaching support to Field Coordinators through reviewing reports and conducting Partner Support Visits and providing feedback. This includes participating in mentoring meetings, Church Partner meetings, and providing technical and facilitation training. 
  • Review partners’ reports and provide SoH Agriculture Program Coordinator with updates on partners’ progress and challenges.
  • Plan Field Coordinator trainings and organizing team events.
  • Supporting the planning and delivery of training events for Church Partners
  • Conduct Partner Support Visits (also termed as field visits) to assess documentation, identify areas for further support, update records, and producing reports with recommendations. 
  • Support church partners’ staff to explore other agriculture training opportunities from other organizations or government. 
  • Review training timelines to ensure that adequate materials are available for all training sessions.
  • Collect and share best practices and impact stories, including developing newsletters. 
  • Collecting and communicating feedback in an organized manner for program development.
  • Advise and help Field Coordinators and other Church Partner SoH staff in their professional development. 
  • Support church partners to access wholesale agricultural materials and Sowers of HOPE resources. 

• Specific support and coaching on financial compliance and reporting 

• • Support the church partner implementation staff with coaching on compliance, which includes budget management, financial standards such as Church Partner Finance Guidelines, expense tracking, and other financial management tools to ensure operational budgets are accurately used. 
  • Train, review, and assist church partners’ staff regarding financial tools, such as SuperSHEETs.
  • When required, assist HOPE Finance to review SoH financial reports via SuperSHEETs to compare with church partners’ accounting and bank statements.

Spiritual Integration and Christian Witness

• Contribute to bearing witness to Christ and His Kingdom through who we are, how we work and how we serve the church 

• Engage actively in bi-weekly devotions, monthly meetings, and quarterly retreats for HOPE staff to maintain focus on the program’s Christ-centered mission and to foster spiritual growth among HOPE staff and partners. 

• Ensure a personal healthy spiritual balance within family, work, and church life through the adoption of Biblical, personal, and spiritual disciplines. 

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as requested by the HOPE Rwanda management, manager or CSU.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Born again Christian with strong faith and highly committed to the mission and vision of HOPE International.

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, community development, or equivalent, plus expressed interest in church-led approach to agricultural development.
• Demonstrated proficiency in program support including the ability to create well-organized reports, accomplish objectives (as opposed to only tasks), and keeping detailed records of activities and expenses. Experience in budgeting and monitoring financial accounts is a plus. 
• Experience of Microsoft Office package Experience in conducting training using methods for adult learning. Proven leadership abilities and experience with coaching/mentoring others
• Self-driven with demonstrated ability to solve problems, and work independently, and in collaboration with a team
• Fluent in spoken and written Kinyarwanda and English; proficiency in other languages a plus (i.e. French)

How to Apply

 Link to be used while applying:https://jobs-hopeinternational.icims.com/jobs/1794/agriculture-program-officer---hope-rwanda/job?mode=view