National Training and FFS Specialist

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

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

• 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations established in 1945 whose mission is to contribute to eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-foods systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

A Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2027 outlines the shared priorities between the Government of Nepal (GoN) and FAO regarding FAO’s technical assistance over a five-year period focused on technical capacity building, policy development, enhancing agri-production, strengthening food systems, improving food & nutrition security, enhancing resilience to Disasters and impacts of Climate Change as well as threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health through the One Health approach.

FAO programs are guided by United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). The UNSDCF has four priority outcome areas namely 1. Sustainable Resilient and Inclusive Economic Transformation 2. Inclusive and Transformative Human Development 3. Environmental Sustainability, Climate and Disaster Resilience and 4. Governance, Federalism, Participation and inclusion. And FAO is contributing to all outcome areas. Likewise, FAO is custodian of 21 SDG indicators and contributing to achieve all goals particularly on SDG 2, 5, 6, 14, 15 and 16.

Nepal’s agriculture, a major GDP contributor and livelihood source, is transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming, backed by government policies and technology. Despite its potential and crop diversity, it faces challenges like outdated technology, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, and climate change.

Promotion of crops like millet, quinoa, and oilseed can address these issues and boost productivity. A project is in progress to synthesize data for decision-making, pilot effective practices, and increase production capacity. It aims to enhance national capacity through training and skill development for agricultural staff and farmers.

The project will use an integrated approach, including GIS and crop modeling, to review productivity enhancement opportunities. It will also develop a planning framework, policies, and financial instruments for small-holder farmers. The goal is to bridge yield gaps, increase farm-level productivity, and build resilient, sustainable food production systems.

The overarching objective of this project is to transfer practical skills to farmers, agricultural extension workers on improved agricultural practices and climate-resilient farming strategies to overcome challenges like climate change, market fluctuations, and pest outbreaks.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), overall technical supervision of FAO RAP Lead Technical Officer and FAO HQ Technical Officer, the National Training and FSS Expert will collaborate with the FAO country office programme team to carry out assigned tasks.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will technically focus to develop comprehensive training modules including (crop production, soil management, irrigation techniques, pest management, post-harvest handling, and climate-smart techniques), and conduct ToF for developing facilitators to strengthen the capacities of agriculture extension workers, researchers, and policy makers.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop ToF curriculum and training materials and conduct ToF for developing facilitators who will carry out subsequent planned trainings for the government staff and farmers.
• Support to strengthen capacities of extension workers, researchers, academia, and other value chain actors in producing, processing, and marketing nutrient-dense crops.
• Carry out Farmers’ Field School (FFS) in three selected crops (millet, rapeseed, and quinoa) cropping pattern (at least 6 FFS with 180 farmers). FFS will be organic to the extent possible.
• Document and analyze the field demonstration results on climate-smart innovative good agricultural production practices and standards from the pilot sites.
• Support to develop pilot model farms on climate-smart, innovative, good agricultural production practices to showcase the successful implementation of tailored climate-smart, innovative, sustainable agronomic practices.
• Support to develop IEC materials and knowledge products for broader dissemination.
• Provide technical assistance and information as required.
• Undertake other tasks as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agriculture.
• At least five years of work experience in developing ToF curriculum and training materials and conducting ToF for developing facilitators using FFS approach.
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali.
• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly as field positions is desirable.
• Proven experience on designing and delivering technical training and capacity development activities.
• Experience in coordinating or facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue or policy process.
• Strong inter-personal skills and excellent communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in designing, collecting, and analyzing technical information and data on the nature-based crop protection.
• Experience in agricultural research, laboratory production, and field application working with a wide range of partners including international and national organizations, government counterparts, research institutions, UN organizations, and the private sector;
• Experience in the preparation, editing, and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated practical and technical experience in agriculture with major experience of local agricultural practices, challenges, and opportunities.
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Proven ability to coordinate and work with the government and community-based stakeholders, rights holders sensitively, cooperatively, and productively.
• Ability to demonstrate the ICT for agricultural extension, including mobile apps, online platforms, and multimedia resources for knowledge dissemination and capacity building to the technical staff, farmers, and community-based organisation.
• Ability to write the reports and publications with proven documents.
• Previous experience working with UN agencies, research and government agencies in the similar area is desirable however, quality assessment report (QAR) will be assessed during the selection process.
• Selection mode will follow pre-screening, interview and written by the evaluation team.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, 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.

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

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