National Farmer Field School Specialist

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.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402323