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National Farmer Field School Specialist

Mozambique

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Mozambique
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Education, Learning and Training
  • Closing Date: Closed

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

Organizational Setting

The PROMOVE Agribiz (GCP/MOZ/127/EC) programme represents a comprehensive initiative dedicated to fostering the growth of small-scale, sustainable commercial agriculture across 15 districts in the provinces of Nampula, Zambezia, Manica, and Sofala. The primary objectives of the programme encompass augmenting the productivity and resilience of small-scale producers, enhancing the accessibility of public and commercial support services, including financial and rural extension, and facilitating the integration of smallholders and SMEs into rural markets and selected value chains. The overarching aim is to establish viable, inclusive, and competitive business models within the agricultural sector.

This programme operates in close partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADER) and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MIC), leveraging collaboration with their respective national directorates and institutions, as well as provincial and local governments in the targeted provinces. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a pivotal role in providing support focused on market-driven sustainable agriculture, resilience, agri-food value chain development, and the creation of inclusive rural markets.

In response to evolving challenges in 2022, such as climate shocks and increased production costs driven by global geopolitical events, the programme underwent expansion in terms of scope, geography, and approach. This expansion includes a heightened focus on mitigating the impacts of climate shocks and addressing cost challenges through the promotion of Agroforestry Systems and the cultivation of cereals and pulses. The strategic objective is to enhance reserves through sustainable production, commercialization, and storage, with a specific geographic focus on the provinces of Manica, Sofala, Zambezia, and Nampula.

The FAO intends to recruit a National Farmer Field School Specialist to support the implementation of FFS programs coordinating the activities carried out by the FAO´s district field technicians and the technicians of the implementing partners, under close collaboration with the International FFS Specialist based in Maputo.


Reporting Lines

The National Farmer Field School Specialist will report directly to the International Farmer Field School Specialist, in close collaboration with the Hub Coordinators, under overall supervision of the Technical Advisor.


Technical Focus

Rural Extension, Farmer Field School methodology, food and cash crop production, climate smart agriculture (CSA), agroforestry.

The National Farmer Field School Specialist will assume responsibility for developing FFS cycles, operational planning, and overseeing the management and monitoring of all FFS activities. Additionally, S/he will provide consistent backstopping to offer technical and managerial support to FFS facilitators. This support aims to enhance the performance of FFS groups, aligning them more closely with project objectives.


Tasks and responsibilities

• Organize, supervise and contribute to the FFS training activities (Training of Trainers, Training of Facilitators, Refreshment courses) fostering the participation of women.
• Contribute to the production of training materials and ensure their timely availability.
• Ensure adequate integration of nutrition, youth and gender in the training programs and in the regular meetings of FFS groups.
• Monitor and evaluate the quality of the training courses and the work of the trained facilitators at all levels to ensure that FFS follow the basic principles and are graduated.
• Participate in the development of specialized thematic areas to be integrated into the FFS curriculum (polycropping, agroforestry, fruit, and vegetables value chains).
• Liaise with value chain operators to identify training opportunities and needs.
• Provide advice on follow-up activities of graduated FFS and guidance to foster FFS networks.
• Ensure adequate implementation of FFS expansion strategy defined for the project.
• Support and supervise the M&E of the FFS activities with support of the M&E Specialist.
• Collaborate with local research institutions and the academia for supporting the FFS program.
• Facilitate the organization and implementation of field days, experience exchange visits for FFS, technicians and staff from SDAE and other implementing partners.
• Follow up the application of weekly reports, identified and solving the main issues reported by the FFS facilitators.
• In coordination with the FFS Expert, collaborate in the organization of technical materials for implementing the capacity-building plans for the FFS.
• Participate and collaborate in the organization of FFS technical meetings involving FFS Master Trainers and Facilitators.
• Participate in agricultural technical platforms existing at district, provincial and regional level to coordinate activities.
• Guarantee the timely registration of FFS groups and FFS members, according with the M&E instruments.
• Meet regularly with DPAP, SDAE and implementing partners for reporting progress and updating FFS activity plans.
• Participate in the identification, documentation and dissemination of good practices.
• Prepare timely technical progress reports.
• Coordinate the implementation of M&E strategies, such as the baseline, mid-term and impact evaluation.


CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agronomy, Rural Extension or other related subjects.
• Five years of relevant experience in Rural Extension and have a Certificate of FFS Master Trainer.
• Working knowledge of English and Portuguese.
• Working knowledge of the local language spoken in Zambezia provinces.
• National of Mozambique.


FAO Core Competencies

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


Selection Criteria

• Relevant background experience on technical areas related to seed multiplication, value chain approaches, agroforestry, and market-oriented production.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

This vacancy is now closed.