CONSULTANT POSITION

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

FAO, together with national governments, NGOs, International organizations and others have piloted on sustainable farming technologies such as Conservation Agriculture (CA), in various farming sectors and agro-ecological regions. A project to scale up CA in four countries of the region who face similar underlying food production problems is being proposed. The project outcome will be increased and sustained food production by 23,700 vulnerable farmers from Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. The resultant impact will be improved national and regional efforts towards sustainable agricultural production, food security and natural resource management.

• Under the general supervision of the Chief, Emergency Operations Service (TCEO), and the direct supervision of the Senior Southern Africa Regional Emergency Coordinator and Regional Land and Water Management Specialist (based at the Sub-Regional Office in Harare), with the technical support of the FAO HQ technical services Divisions concerned and in close cooperation with the relevant Ministries and other international organizations, the consultant will carry out the following duties:
• Lead the implementation of the project “Up Scaling Conservation Agriculture for Improved Food Security Using the CAADP Framework (UP-CA)” in Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, including the selection and procurement of CA tools and implements, seed, fertilizers and other inputs and ensure that these inputs and implements are utilized properly;
• Explain the main principles and practices of CA to policy makers, agricultural input suppliers, traders, extension workers, research workers, farmers and others, emphasizing the technologies with possibility of being adopted immediately.;
• Participate and assist practical training, farm planning and management on CA in collaboration with international and national counterparts;
• Prepare, select and distribute appropriate extension materials, booklets, leaflets and other media to help understanding and adoption of CA ;
• Assist on application of farm management techniques to the analysis of cost & benefit derived from the adoption or adaptation of CA practices and direct the Monitoring and Evaluation of the project ;
• Lead the organization of CA field days, including the data collection activities and support the on-the-job training of farmers, extension workers, school children and other vulnerable groups.
• Assist with the organization of farmers´ communities/groups and in the learning-by-doing process of CA.
• Assist in the identification of local communities and government counterparts to organize and set up demonstration fields using lead farmer and Farmer Field School learning strategies.
• Supervise the field operation and Monitoring and Evaluation activities as required in collaboration with National Consultants and implementing partners.
• Specify quantities and determine technical specifications of agricultural inputs, including appropriate CA implements and tools, to be provided per beneficiary family and recommend the varieties and quantities of seeds to be procured, as well as the type, quantities and timing of other agricultural inputs required for the successful implementation of CA
• contribute to the management of a CA database both within country and in the region;
• Prepare project statements/reports in collaboration with project staff;
• Facilitate liaison with all emergency operations coordination unit partners and organize regular meetings with donors, government, UN agencies and NGOs;
• Carry out any other duties related to CA as requested by the Chief, Emergency Operations Service (TCEO).
• perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A Regional Conservation Agriculture Consultant
Technical Cooperation Department
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 5705-4941
E-mail: VA-RegionalCA-Consultant-TCEO@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

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