Technical Advisor on Digital Agriculture

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Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The FAO Albania is responsible for leading FAO’s response to the national priorities for food security, agriculture and food systems including forestry and fisheries in the country. The Country Programme Framework (CPF) agreed between the Government of Albania and FAO defines the response to the priorities. FAO in Albania is an integral part of the United Nations Country Team in Albania and contributes through the CPF to the United National Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). FAO Albania works in close collaboration with the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia and relevant Headquarters division in the implementation of the CPF including the private sector, academia and the civil society organizations.

In response to the growing demand for seizing the opportunities brought by digital technologies, FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) established its specialized team for Digital Agriculture. With a mission to act as a catalyzer for the digital transformation of agriculture across Europe and Central Asia, the team provides critical capabilities to country offices, technical units, and Members, while leading the implementation of key corporate initiatives, such as the FAO Digital Villages (DVI).

The FAO Office in Albania is multi-accreditation country of FAO and the FAO Representative for Albania is the Regional Programme Leader for Europe and Central Asia residing in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia in Budapest, Hungary.

The incumbent will be based in Tirana, Albania, with the FAO country office. The assignment is of initially 11 months, with the prospect for extension for the entire duration of the project, totalling three years, contingent upon the individual’s satisfactory performance.
FAO Albania leads efforts with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to support the sustainable digital transformation of Albania’s agriculture and rural areas with an ambitious 3-years joint programme entitled “Digital Agriculture and Rural Transformation (DART)” as part of the SDG Fund – Digital Transformation Window call.

DART aims to increase agriculture productivity, advance socio-economic growth, and enhance rural livelihoods in Albania by 2027. It harnesses the potential of digitalization to transform the agri-food sector from national level to underserved rural areas in Albania delivering on three components: 1) the formulation of Albania’s National Digital Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan (led by FAO) 2) the farmer-centric design and delivery of digital services via the recently launched national Farmers’ Portal (Portali i Fermerit) (led by FAO) 3) the development of digital capacities among national public workers, TVET schools and centres; smallholder farmers and other vulnerable groups in rural areas (led by ILO).

The FAO Technical Advisor on Digital Agriculture will play a critical role in DART implementation by overseeing the day-to-day technical implementation of the programme, the work of several consultants, and by working closely with all stakeholders and partners. This role involves providing strategic guidance, facilitating coordination among various actors, and contributing to the development and refinement of project outputs.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Albania, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer/ Head of Digital Agriculture and the coordination of the Assistant FAO Representative in Albania, the Technical Advisor will work in synergy with stakeholders and partners to deliver on the DART programme’s components and outputs, and more precisely on the tasks and responsibilities outlined below.

Technical Focus

Digital agriculture, information and communication technologies applied to food system transformation, human-centered design, digital services, e-government, digitalization policies and strategies, agriculture and rural development, technical assistance and project implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provides technical leadership assistance on the development and implementation of the DART programme in advising the National Project Coordinator and by supervising and contributing the delivery of DART programme’s technical outputs;
• Coordinate the work of various FAO technical consultants and of UN partners by identifying priorities, reviewing technical outputs, identifying follow up actions and adaptive measures and monitoring KPIs;
• Liaises with all relevant parties at national level, including the Minister of Agriculture and Deputy Ministers, as well as with the UN Residence Coordinator Office and at international level, including the SDG Fund, the European Union and the World Bank;
• Lead activities related to the farmer-centred (re)design and delivery of digital services via the Albanian Farmers’ Portal (Component 2), by gathering Ministry of Agriculture’s requirement, coordinating the work of technical consultants of various profiles (UX researchers, product developers, etc.), leading field missions, and ensuring digital services are designed and deployed to benefit all farmers, especially those placed in a situation of vulnerability;
• Lead activities related to the development of the Digital Agriculture Strategy and Action Plan with a special focus to EU pre-accession (Component 1) by facilitating technical discussions with a wide array of stakeholders, coordinating the work of technical consultants, and ensuring the development of a widely accepted and participatory strategy that benefit all farmers, especially those placed in a situation of vulnerability;
• Support ILO and ITU in the implementation of their respective outputs, by providing technical leadership into capacity development activities of both farmers and public sector workers and for the establishment of a sectoral skills council;
• Initiate the recruitment and onboarding of other FAO DART technical team members;
• Assist with procurement of products and services by drafting technical Terms-of-Reference and
• Support the design and delivery of outreach and dissemination campaigns to promote digital agriculture and digital services, including the upgraded Farmers’ Portal, to raise awareness and adoption among rural citizens.
• Any other duty as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agricultural science; political science; development economics, technology and innovation; international relations, business administration, computer science, or related field;
• Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in agriculture and rural development, policy advice and analysis, information and communication technology, service design.
• Working knowledge of English.

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 in field positions. Prior experience in Albania or the Balkans is an advantage
• Extent and relevance of experience in human-centered design and digital services development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in digital agriculture policies. Experience in EU acquis in the field of agriculture, food and rural development, and negotiation process for EU pre-accession is an advantage
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical coordination of international development projects and stakeholders, as well as leading teams.

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

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.

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