Horticulture Development Expert – Moad

The Somaliland Development Fund is seeking a Horticulture Development Expert for a 12-month renewable contract to support the Climate Smart Agriculture Project in Sanaag, aimed at enhancing climate resilience and improving agricultural productivity for 4,500 households. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, at least eight years of experience in climate-smart horticulture, and proven skills in training and project management. Applications are due by 25 August 2026, and interested individuals should submit their CV and cover letter to jobs@sdf-secretariat.org.

 Job description

Country Somaliland

 Project Holder Ministry of Agriculture Development (MoAD)

Project Climate Smart Agriculture in Sanaag Project

Fund Somaliland Development Fund Phase 3

IFA Title Horticulture Development Expert – MoAD

Duration 12 months renewable contract based on performance

IFA No P103-035 (Re-advert)

The Somaliland Development Fund – Phase 3 (SDF3) covers the period 2025-2028, with the possibility

of a two-year extension. SDF3 aims to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable communities in

Somaliland while creating increased income and  job opportunities, thereby helping to reduce poverty.

SDF3’s ambitions are aligned with NDP3 and reflect the priorities set out in Somaliland Vision 2030.

SDF3 funding is provided by Denmark, Norway and United Kingdom (UK).

Under SDF3, the Joint Steering Committee has approved the Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)

Project in Sanaag, which seeks to transform subsistence farming into resilient, inclusive, and marketoriented agricultural systems. Targeting 4,500 households in Erigavo and El-Afweyn districts, the

project will promote climate-smart infrastructure, drought-tolerant crops, Good Agricultural Practices

(GAP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), solar-powered irrigation, cooperative development, and

value chain strengthening.

To support implementation, SDF seeks to recruit a Horticulture Production Expert to join the Climate

Smart Agriculture Project Management Team (PMT) in accordance with the approved project proposal

and the SDF3 Operational Guidelines (September 2025). The Expert will provide technical leadership

for climate-smart horticulture interventions aimed at improving productivity, resilience, and farmer

incomes across the seven target locations. The SDF Secretariat therefore invites qualified

professionals to apply for this position.

Skills and qualifications

Required Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Qualifications and skills

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Protection, or a

closely related field.

• At least 5 years of experience in facilitation and training skills

• Evidence of experience with Farmer Field Schools.

• Demonstrated excellent command of spoken and written English.

General professional experience

• At least eight years’ experience in climate-smart horticulture, including drip irrigation,

greenhouse systems, and regenerative practices.

• A minimum of five years’ proven experience working on horticulture projects in rural, semi-arid,

or resource-constrained environments.

Specific professional experience

• At least five years’ experience working with farmers or farmer groups on irrigated horticulture

farming involving Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Integrated Pest Management (IPM), seed

systems, and post-harvest management.

• At least four years’ hands-on experience in assessment, technical design, training, and

supervision of at least one irrigated horticulture project involving rural farmers within the last five years.

• Evidence of hands-on experience in production scheduling to align planting calendars with

market demand, and in leading crop yield assessments, including sampling design, data

collection, and statistical analysis in at least one project within the last five years.

• Evidence of competence in horticulture related technical specifications, cost estimates and

selecting agricultural inputs (seeds, bio-pesticides, and fertilisers) that meet Global G.A.P.

standards in at least one project within the last five years.

As part of the selection process, the candidates may be requested to provide examples of verifiable

project reports from their most recent or relevant assignments. Links to reports which are available

online can be provided as a part of the application.