International Specialist in Sustainable Agricultural Development

In 2008-2009 the Government of Egypt (GoE) formulated the “Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy Towards 2030” (SADS 2030) in close collaboration with FAO. Developed in the aftermaths of the global food price crisis, the major thrust of SADS 2030 was mostly improving the efficiency of the agricultural sector and raising Egypt’s degree of food self-sufficiency. Following its completion, significant developments have occurred both at world and country level. In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formulated signalling to the world the need to shift onto a more sustainable path, by tackling some of the more pressing challenges facing the world with emphasis on eradicating poverty and hunger. The SDGs coincided with Paris Agreement on climate, which provides a set of common standards to mitigate and adapt to climate changes. At country level, challenges emerging from economic reforms and new set government priorities, high levels of poverty, persistent food insecurity and malnutrition, and increased pressure on natural resources due to population growth and inadequate technologies and practices cannot continue to be addressed with a business-as-usual mind-set. Considering these developments, the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation (MALR) expressed its interest in updating the SADS 2030 and asked for FAO’s assistance.

The FAO Representation in Egypt (FAO-EGY), with the support of the FAO Regional Office for North Africa and Near East (RNE), Investment Centre of FAO (PSI) and the Statistics Division (ESS) of FAO, will be technically responsible for this exercise that will draw and build on the work undertaken to date and lead the process of reviewing the SADS 2030 and developing the related Plan of Action for Agricultural Development (PAAD). A technical taskforce is organized by FAO for managing the project from organizational and technical perspectives. FAO is seeking an International Expert as Team Leader that will have the overall technical responsibility of the project implementation. Two national experts will provide support to the Team Leader. In addition, experts on thematic areas relevant for the SADS 2030 are assigned by the GoE to be part of the strategy preparation team (Thematic Working Groups (TWG)).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance/supervision of the FAO representative in Egypt, the direct supervision of RNE Policy officer in close consultation with RNE technical officers, working closely with the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme in Egypt, as well as with all FAO office staff and all other stakeholders and Governement counterparts that are involved in the update of the SADS 2030.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will lead the process of updating the components of the SADS 2030 and preparation of the National Medium-Term Plan of Action for Agricultural Development.

Tasks and responsibilities

The main tasks are to\:

• In consultation with the project technical team, establish participatory mechanisms for reviewing the SADS 2030 including a shared roadmap for the review.
• Lead and support the GoE TWGs and FAO national consultants in carrying out the background analyses necessary for reviewing SADS 2030 including\:
a. Participatory identification of the relevant existing literature and knowledge gaps
b. Participatory identification of the policy relevant questions to be addressed by background papers and achieve a shared understanding of the issues to be addressed and possible interventions to be implemented.
c. Initiate and supervise the preparation of the background papers on selected topics by FAO national consultants.
• Conduct technical and policy consultation with GoE and key stakeholders on the background studies and review and finalize the background papers on selected topics by the TWGs
• In consultation with Government and FAO counterparts, develop the Results Framework for M&E.
• Revise and finalize the SADS 2030 document.
• Conduct a National Workshop to validate the revised RSADS 2030 document draft and submit the finalized RSADS 2030.
• Coordinate the development of the National Medium-Term Plan of Action for Agricultural Development through\:
a. Mobilizing FAO-DPI resources for developing the PAAD 2030
b. Inception of the process and engagement with the GoE
c. Elaboration of the PAAD 2030
• Coordinate and lead the Capacity Building of selected staff from the relevant GoE ministries and national agencies/centres through\:
a. Development of detailed training programs on RBM, M&E, SDGs monitoring, reporting
b. Joint selection of trainees
c. Carrying out the training courses
• Perform other duties as may be required by the FAO representative or his team.

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics or economics.
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in sustainable agricultural development issues including social inclusion, institutional issues and agri-business.
• Experience in designing development programmes and strategies is a plus.
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic language

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent knowledge of the key social inclusion and institutional issues in Egypt in the context of agriculture and rural development
• Demonstrated ability to produce written analysis of socio-economic and gender issues
• Significant experience in analysing and integrating programme formulation in the context of agriculture and rural development and experience in socio-economic and gender analysis