E-voucher Consultant

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) received a grant from the European Union to implement an e-voucher intervention in the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia.

FAO envisages facilitating access to goods (e.g. seeds and fertilizers) and services (e.g. technical assistance) to its beneficiaries (i.e. farmers) through an electronic voucher system. Beneficiaries will purchase a range of goods from a network of pre-selected vendors (agro-dealers and retailers) by redeeming e-vouchers at vendors’ shops.

The program, which envisages several categories of beneficiaries with different levels of co-payments and subsidies, will be implemented in selected districts of Zambezia (Alto Molocue, Gurue, Mocuba, Namacurra, Nicoadala) and Nampula (Angoche, Malema, Meconta, Mogovolas and Ribaue).

This position is based in Nametil (Mogovolas district), Mozambique with frequent travel to the target districts.

Reporting Lines

The national consultant will work under the general supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Project Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the International e-Voucher Advisor, and in close collaboration with other partner organization of PROMOVE Agribiz (GIZ, DME, FNDS) and government institutions and development partners working on cash and voucher programs in Mozambique.

Technical Focus

Cash and voucher schemes

Tasks and responsibilities

1. In coordination with FAO local offices, ensure that the objectives and implementation rules of the e-voucher intervention are properly disseminated and shared with key government counterparts and communities’ leaders at provincial and district levels.
2. Maintain close contact with SDAE officials ensuring a constant flow of information related to the project’ progress and achievements.
3. Maintain close working relation with all the active actors (e.g. Sustenta, Inovagro, Irriga, AFAP) at provincial and district level engaged in activities related to key agro-inputs chains (e.g. seeds, fertilizers, agricultural services). This task must include the cashew sector in coordination with INCAJU and Germany Development Service, GIZ.
4. Coordinate field monitoring visits to the agro-dealers network including retailers in the project districts in close coordination with the seed laboratories of Nampula and Zambezia.
5. Liaise with the Service Providers involved in the e-voucher scheme.
6. Conduct, in close coordination with the M&E officer, regular monitoring field visits in the areas of intervention in order to ensure the correct implementation of activities and the appropriate targeting of selected beneficiaries.
7. Liaise and develop close working relationships with relevant partners (government, NGOs and private sector) involved in the e-Voucher scheme and support harmonization and coordination among them.
8. Actively participate in the preparation of an e-voucher scheme for the cashew sector to be implemented in the first semester of 2021.
9. In coordination with farmer field school (FFS) specialists, organize sensitization meetings with FFSs groups and farmers associations.
10. Support linkages with other components of the programme and other FAO interventions in the area in order to create appropriate synergies among the programme’s components.
11. Ensure that the voucher scheme follows and puts in practice the principles of FAO Accountability framework. This includes sharing relevant information with farming communities and main partners, ensuring their participation and feedback throughout the project cycle
12. Represent FAO in meetings and/or workshops on agro-inputs chains organized at provincial level.
13. Support activities implemented for the identification of agriculture value chains with high socio-economic potential (e.g., sesame, soya beans, etc.) in the targeted areas.
14. Support and monitor efforts in adopting measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in all activities related with the e-voucher scheme. In particular, at agro-dealers and retailers’ shops monitor and whenever possible enforce the use of protective equipment (e.g. Plexiglas/plastic sheets, masks, hand-sanitizers) and adoption of social distancing and hand sanitation during the registration process.
15. Support the World Bank Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) research group, in activities organized at field level
16. Submit monthly written reports to illustrate progress of activities
17. Prepare and submit other ad hoc reports as required.
18. Guarantee a close coordination of the activities with the project staff at field and central level.
19. Perform any other related duties in support of programme, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree required (degree in Economics, Political Science, Information Technology, Rural Development or related field is preferable)
• At least, two years of proven experience on implementation of e-voucher and/or cash activities
• Work experience in areas of work (Zambezia and Nampula) desirable
• Good knowledge of Portuguese and English (written and spoken)
• National of Mozambique.

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 (Zambezia and Nampula)
• Experience in food security interventions desired.
• Experience in conducting market and need assessment in rural areas
• Familiarity with private sector involved in the supply chain of agro-inputs.
• Good command of Microsoft package.
• Capacity to work under minimum guidance.
• Capacity to build effective relationships and partnerships with team members and external partners.
• Ability to take initiatives and carry out tasks in a timely fashion due time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• 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 additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/