Socio-Organizer

Position:   Socio-Organizer

Contract:        2 years renewable contract                              Location:  Antananarivo, Madagascar

The Socio-Organizer is responsible for strengthening the capacity, governance, and organizational effectiveness of Producer Organizations (POs) and farming communities within the project intervention areas. The position supports the mobilization, structuring, and development of POs, promotes stakeholder engagement and partnerships, facilitates community participation, and ensures the integration of gender, youth, social inclusion, and environmental considerations into project activities. The Socio-Organizer also contributes to monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management to support the achievement of project objectives and sustainable community development.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, mobilize, and support the structuring of Producer Organizations (POs) within the project's intervention areas.
• Facilitate the establishment, formalization, governance strengthening, and networking of Producer Organizations.
• Design and implement capacity-building programs on governance, leadership, organizational development, planning, and administrative and financial management for POs.
• Support Producer Organizations in the preparation and implementation of action plans, resource mobilization initiatives, and partnership development activities.
• Organize and facilitate community sensitization programs, stakeholder consultations, exchange visits, and conflict resolution or mediation activities where necessary.
• Strengthen linkages between Producer Organizations and key stakeholders, including government extension services, financial institutions, input suppliers, buyers, and other value chain actors.
• Promote the integration of gender equality, youth participation, social inclusion, and environmental safeguards across all project interventions and community engagement activities.
• Coordinate data collection, monitoring and evaluation activities, reporting, documentation, and the capitalization of lessons learned and good practices from project implementation.
• Collaborate closely with project team members, local partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure effective coordination and implementation of project activities.
• Perform any other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Project Manager or designated supervisor in support of project objectives.

QUALIFICATION:

University degree at least Bac+4 level in sociology, human geography, rural development, agronomy, anthropology or related field. Additional training in community organizing, organizational development or rural animation would be an asset. At least three (03) years of relevant professional experience in similar functions (community organization, rural animation, development of POs) within agricultural or rural development projects.

COMPETENCIES:

• Strong knowledge of participatory community development approaches, farmer organization development, and rural development, with experience in strengthening the governance and institutional capacity of Producer Organizations (POs).
• Demonstrated ability to design and facilitate participatory training, stakeholder engagement, community mobilization, and multi-stakeholder consultation processes, with a sound understanding of gender, social inclusion, and environmental safeguards.
• Proven experience in implementing agricultural or rural development projects, including donor-funded programmes, with the ability to build partnerships and work effectively with government agencies, communities, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, negotiation, and interpersonal skills, with proficiency in French and Malagasy (knowledge of local dialects is an advantage), and the ability to work effectively in multicultural and rural environments.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, the ability to work independently and collaboratively, and willingness to travel extensively within project intervention areas.

We offer highly competitive salaries with equally attractive benefits and excellent working conditions in a pleasant working environment.