Digital Agriculture Specialist (Scoping assessment study)

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. For the period 2022-2026, the FAO Office in Zimbabwe is supporting Government efforts through the Country Programme Framework (CPF), which is based on three pillars:

• Promotion of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems to address food security and nutrition • Building resilience to climate change, agricultural threats and crisis; • Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection.

Reporting Lines

The National Digital Agriculture Specialist (DVI feasibility) will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programmes and the direct supervision of the FAO RAF Digital Agriculture Specialist in close collaboration with the other digital agricultural specialists in the country office.

Technical Focus

The technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows:

• Digital Agriculture /e-agriculture • Agriculture and Digital agriculture solutions • Digitization and Digitalization • Rural development

Tasks and responsibilities

The specialist will support the implementation of the project: Technical support towards the launch of the Digital Villages Initiative in (DVI) Zimbabwe (TCP/ZIM/3901/C1). Specifically, s/he will carry out the DVI scoping assessment.

Digital Agriculture Specialist (Scoping assessment study) will perform the following tasks:

• Analyze and present the agriculture and rural development landscape and priorities for the country. • Analyze and present the digital agriculture landscape, and enabling environment, including linkages with the national Agritech strategy. • Analyze the national experience and case studies in relation to the deployment of rural digitalization initiatives that will inform the deployment of the DVI. • Support the selection and characterize village/(s) that will be involved in the initiative (in a phased approached); this will involve the assessment of last mile connectivity conditions, identification of local agro-economic conditions, the local demand and options in terms of digital agriculture and rural services, the local digital ecosystem, partnership opportunities. • Present options for the deployment of the DVI services along the following key Pillars of activities: - Pillar 1: Smart farming/ improved productivity - Pillar 2: Market linkages and financial services - Pillar 3: Digital tools at the village level supporting rural transformation focusing on the delivery of public services in health, education, welfare, eco-tourism, etc. • Develop, submit and present, a comprehensive scoping assessment report building from the above deliverables. • Perform any other related duty/ (ies) as required.

The methodology of the study will involve field visits in rural settings for the selection and characterization of the villages which will form the key component of the assignment. The analysis of the agriculture and digital agriculture landscapes will largely build on desk research leveraging existing materials. Selected interviews may be undertaken. Analyses and data will be disaggregated as much as possible by gender. A detailed methodological framework will be discussed with the incumbent upon selection.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A master’s degree or equivalent - in agriculture or related field (with proven expertise and work experience on digital agriculture activities) or - in communication, information sciences or in IT field with good expertise in the use of digital tools for socio-economic development and a very good understanding of agricultural development • Ten (10) years of work experience • Working knowledge (level C) of English • National of Zimbabwe or a holder of a valid work permit of Zimbabwe.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

• Proven experience working with international organisations on the assignment’s themes • Expertise in financial/economic/rural development investment projects will be an asset • Awareness of gender aspects and the changing role of women and youth in ensuring food security and using digital tools; In-depth knowledge of existing and emerging digital technologies, standards and services • Demonstrated capacity to write technical reports in English. Excellent communication skills