Femi Akindele
Project: Regenerative Pollinator-Microbiome Agriculture Initiative
Location: Four zones in Ibogun, Ogun State (North, South, East, West)
Duration: 24 months (October 2025 – September 2027)
Reports to: Project Manager & M&E Coordinator
Position Overview
Community Mobilizers serve as the vital bridge between project technical team and local farming communities, facilitating authentic engagement and ensuring culturally appropriate implementation of innovative agricultural practices. Each mobilizer will be responsible for 100 farmers in their designated zone, promoting adoption of regenerative practices while respecting traditional knowledge and community values.
Key Responsibilities
Community Engagement: Conduct comprehensive outreach to 100 farmers in assigned zone (North, South, East, or West Ibogun) mobilizing participation in training activities, demonstration plots, and monitoring initiatives. Build trust relationships with farmers, traditional leaders, women’s groups, and youth associations while ensuring inclusive participation across diverse demographic groups.
Training Facilitation: Organize and co-facilitate Farmer Field Schools covering beekeeping techniques, soil health management, integrated pest management, and value chain development. Translate technical concepts into local language (Yoruba) and culturally appropriate formats ensuring effective knowledge transfer to farmers with varied educational backgrounds and experience levels.
Technical Support: Assist in practical implementation of project interventions including beehive installation, native hedgerow establishment, compost facility construction, and microbial inoculant preparation. Demonstrate proper techniques, troubleshoot challenges, and provide ongoing technical guidance ensuring successful adoption of regenerative practices.
Data Collection: Support M&E Coordinator in conducting household surveys, maintaining farmer registers, tracking attendance at training events, and documenting project activities. Ensure accurate data collection while respecting privacy and confidentiality requirements and contributing to evidence-based project management and adaptive learning.
Advocacy and Protection: Promote implementation of buffer zone agreements with neighbouring farmers, encourage adoption of integrated pest management protocols, and advocate for safe beekeeping practices protecting both farmers and pollinator populations. Address conflicts and negotiate solutions supporting project objectives while maintaining community harmony.
Communication and Feedback: Gather regular feedback from farmers regarding project activities, challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Document success stories, capture lessons learned, and facilitate two-way communication between project team and community members ensuring responsive and adaptive implementation approaches.
Stakeholder Relations: Serve as primary liaison with traditional leaders, extension officers, cooperative leaders, and local government representatives. Participate in community meetings, cultural events, and planning sessions while representing project interests and building support for sustainable agricultural practices.
Gender and Youth Inclusion: Ensure meaningful participation of women (minimum 45%) and youth (minimum 30%) in all project activities through targeted outreach, flexible scheduling, and culturally appropriate engagement strategies. Support women’s beekeeping cooperatives and youth agricultural technology initiatives promoting inclusive development outcomes.
Zone-Specific Responsibilities
North Zone: Focus on traditional farming systems and elderly farmer engagement while building connections with community leaders and religious organizations supporting project legitimacy and acceptance.
South Zone: Emphasize women’s group coordination and youth engagement programs leveraging existing social networks and community-based organizations for enhanced participation and ownership.
East Zone: Concentrate on oil palm farmer networks and traditional leader liaison ensuring crop-specific interventions align with local agricultural cycles and cultural practices.
West Zone: Specialize in cocoa farmer cooperatives and market linkage development supporting value chain improvements and premium market access for sustainably produced crops.
Required Qualifications
OND/HND/Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Community Development, Social Sciences, or related field with minimum 2 years’ experience in rural community outreach or agricultural extension work. Understanding of local farming systems, cultural contexts, and community dynamics in Ogun State essential.
Essential Skills
Strong facilitation and communication abilities with proven experience engaging diverse community groups. Fluency in Yoruba and English required for effective farmer communication and technical documentation. Motorcycle operation skills preferred for efficient transportation across rural areas.
Personal Attributes
Commitment to gender equity and youth inclusion with cultural sensitivity and respect for traditional knowledge systems. Strong interpersonal skills, patience, and adaptability for working in challenging rural environments. Integrity and trustworthiness essential for building community relationships and maintaining project credibility.
