Farm Field Schools Coordinator

Organizational Setting:

The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Egypt, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Egypt to develop policies, programmes and projects to improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO is planning to implement a project titled “Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity" OSRO/EGY/041/JPN, is an emergency project supported by the Government of Japan. The project would help vulnerable agricultural households in Upper Egypt and the Nile Delta regions of Egypt, which are threatened by crises, climate change, and insufficient water supplies, become more resilient and less dependent on government assistance. This contribution will be made by enhancing the use of water for farming, increasing agricultural production for smallholder farmers, increasing incomes, and providing impoverished rural households with economic opportunities. The project will work towards achieving increased crop yields per unit of irrigation water used over time and improving food security and income generation in selected Haya Karima villages of Minya, Qena, and Kafr El Sheikh Governorates through the upscaling of tested and validated modern irrigation technologies (such as solar-powered pumps and hybrid (low energy drip and/or sprinkler) irrigation systems), climate-smart water management (CSWM) practices, and good agricultural practice (GAP) principles.

The position is located in the FAO Office in Cairo, Egypt, with field visits to project sites in Menia, Qena, Kafr El-Sheikh.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY, the direct supervision of the project Manager, the technical supervision of the senior water resources management officer (FAO-SNG), and the technical senior land and water officer (FAO-RNE), and in close collaboration with the FAO country office and project personnel, as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks for the project to increase agricultural and water productivity in the aforementioned governorates in the designated locations in Menia, Qena, and Kafr El Sheikh governorates.

Technical Focus:

The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating and managing the implementation of the FFS program using FAO modality and approach in the Enhancement of Agriculture Productivity project. The FFS Coordinator will work closely with project beneficiaries, local partners, and other stakeholders to ensure the project's objectives are met

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Coordinate the establishment of FFS groups in the assigned area, liaising with relevant stakeholders to identify and recruit farmers. • Coordinate and supervise FFS facilitators and trainers in the delivery of training sessions to project beneficiaries. • Develop and implement a system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of FFS facilitators and trainers in supporting project beneficiaries. • Work with project beneficiaries to identify their training needs and develop training plans that are tailored to their needs. • Provide technical support and coaching to FFS facilitators and trainers to ensure they are delivering high-quality training sessions and supporting project beneficiaries effectively. • Coordinate the establishment of FFS groups in the assigned area, liaising with relevant stakeholders to identify and recruit farmers. • Coordinate with local partners and government agencies to ensure the FFS approach is integrated into existing agricultural extension programs and policies. • Prepare regular reports on FFS activities and contribute to the development of project proposals and other project-related documents. • Support the project management team in developing and implementing strategies to increase the project's impact and sustainability. • Facilitate the development of farmer-led action plans based on FFS activities and ensuring their implementation. • Perform other duties within the Adviser’s technical competence as required by the FAOR. • Prepare an end of assignment report for each mission to Egypt for approval by the FAOR and LTO.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in agriculture, agribusiness, or a related field. • At least 5 years of experience in coordinating and managing FFS programs or similar participatory extension approaches • Working knowledge of English and Arabic languages. • National of Egypt.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governemental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams. • Excellent organizational and analytical skills; • Good knowledge of agricultural production systems and practices, particularly in the project's focus areas. • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders. • Good organizational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. • Computer literacy in standard office software and proficiency in project management tools and software. • Experience in report writing and data analysis

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
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities 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.