Farmer Field School Specialist

Organizational Setting

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Pakistan focuses its efforts on poverty reduction, food security, sustainable livelihoods and rural development. FAO has partnered with the Government of Pakistan on research and development, training, extension services and strengthening of the staff capacity in planning and policy making. FAO has supported improvements in agricultural policy analysis, strengthened institutions. Enhanced integrated area development and expanded participation of marginalized and vulnerable communities in sustainable development.

The position is envisioned under GCF funded Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management Project, Multan Provincial Office.

Modelling of climate change scenarios for Pakistan shows that if agriculture and water management in the Indus River Basin continue along a ‘business as usual’ pathway, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation will pose serious threats to the future livelihoods of farmers and to the Pakistani agricultural sector. In response to this challenge, the GCF funded project, “Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management”, will help shift Pakistan and Indus Basin agriculture from its current situation of high vulnerability toward an alternative paradigm wherein better information and farming practices will significantly increase resilience to climate change. To do this, the project is developing the country’s capacity to get and use the information it needs to cope with the impacts of climate change on agriculture and water management by putting in place state-of-the art technology (Component 1); building farmers resilience to climate change through skills, knowledge and technology (Component 2), and creating a wider enabling environment for continuous adaptation and expanded sustainable uptake of climate-resilient approaches (Component 3).

The Project is seeking a Farmer Field School Consultant to implement Component 2. The objective is to build on-farm resilience to climate change by supporting farmers to acquire skills on climate resilient agriculture (CRA) and on-farm water management (OFWM), adopt technologies and engage with stakeholders that provide services relevant to climate change adaptation in agriculture. The project is developing the farmers’ coping and adaptation capacity through the Farmer Field Schools and establishment of Demonstration plots. The outcome is that farmers are skilled in using climate resilient agriculture and on-farm water management practices suited to their agro-ecosystems.

Link For The Project Document

https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/funding-proposal-fp108-fao-pakistan.pdf

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan, the direct supervision of the GCF-funded project Technical Advisor, and in close coordination with International and National Officers in the Punjab and Sindh Offices, the International Farmer Field School Specialist.

Technical Focus

The position will focus on providing technical and capacity development support for the implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) for both male and female farmers in the context of climate change in Pakistan, specifically within the Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management Project. The consultant will offer technical guidance to the project team, promoting agribusiness cropping systems and establishing linkages with value chain service providers and will contribute to identifying and piloting innovative initiatives in Climate Resilient Agriculture and Crop Production.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Recommend and provide technical guidance on specific activities and initiatives that will strengthen the Component 2 delivery, efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation on technical issues of the agriculture related components of the project; direct review of relevant documents and reports; identify priorities, liaise with relevant parties; identify and initiate follow-up actions
• Lead and supervise national technical and sectorial specialists for the 2 provincial project teams;
• Lead representation of the agriculture related aspects of the project at Provincial and District level;
• Analyse data from field and different organizations with focus on systems of agricultural production, marketing and support services.
• Provide advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guidelines for project with specific domains related to FAO's work
• In collaboration with the TA, consolidate the inputs of different national and international consultants to refine the project approach
  
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture with specialization in Agri- business, food security, sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agricultural water management, related field
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing FFS and farmers capacity development program; crop production, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development
• Working knowledge (level C) of one FAO language (English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) relevant to the assignment; knowledge of a second FAO language is an asset
  
  

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
  
  

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proficient in planning and conducting ToTs
• Excellent writing and communications skills
• At least 10 years of hands-on experience in applying Climate Smart Agriculture practices and technologies in different contexts
• Strong ability and wide experience in designing and running agribusiness cropping systems and linkages with the value chain service providers
• Experience in designing farmers’ field studies on Climate Smart / sustainable Agriculture
• Skills in report writing, trainings and compilation of reports
• Experience working with or in international and donor organizations with implementation of participatory projects
• Experience in the preparation of technical and policy reports, guidelines and manuals curriculums and IEC materials for Farmers Field Schools approach
  
  

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.

Call For Expressions Of Interest - Vacancy Announcement

Job Posting

16/Sep/2024

Closure Date

30/Sep/2024, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FAPAK - FAO Representation in Pakistan

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

Consultant

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Pakistan-Multan

Duration

11 months

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality