International Consultants on Rain-fed Cereals industry

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.

An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

FAO-Saudi Arabia is seeking for consultants with relevant expertise in the cereal agronomy and cereal breeding, cereal pests and diseases control, seed systems quality and standards, cereal marketing and agribusiness development, and cereal value chain development.

Reporting Lines

The Component Consultants report to the Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.

Technical Focus

Capacity development and knowledge management for the development of the rain-fed cereals production, processing, marketing and value chain development.

Tasks and responsibilities:

The Consultants of the project component on rain-fed cereals value chain development in coordination with the Component Technical Adviser and National Manager will:

• Undertake situation analysis and comprehensive sector review for the rainfed cereal production in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and assesses the comparative and competitive advantages of the industry in KSA.
• Benchmark, identify and promote best practices in rain-fed cereals breeding and production among rainfed cereals small producers.
• Establish and operate community seed system for the cereals crops in the target regions;
• Identify and promote conservation agriculture practices among smallholders for production of the targeted rainfed cereal crops.
• Develop a catalogue of major sorghum, millet and sesame diseases, pests and weed in the target regions
• Develop and implement an IPM programme for control of sorghum, millet and sesame pests and diseases.
• Develop and promote irrigation scheduling for sorghum, millet and sesame grown under various faming systems of the target regions.
• Undertake situation analysis of existing rural agricultural cooperatives in cereals in the target regions.
• Develop pilot business model for rainfed cereal growers’ cooperative in KSA.
• Design and implement smallholder needs-based rural agriculture research, extension and advisory services programme for cereals.
• Establish smallholders’ extension and applied research centres for cereals in the target regions.
• Establish rainfed crop marketing centres and develop appropriate contract farming models and other direct marketing strategies for rainfed cereals small producers.
• Develop a programme to ensure access of rainfed cereals small producers to pests and diseases control services.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agronomy, cereals production, agriculture and extension, or related field.
• 12 years of relevant experience in cereals rainfed cereals industry development including at international level.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

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 and particularly in field positions.
• Extent and relevance of experience in rain-fed cereals production and marketing industry and rural agriculture development.
• Familiarity with project management skills including familiarity with results frameworks, project work planning and budgeting;
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions.
• Analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset.
• Proficiency in English is essential and familiarity with Arabic language is desirable.

Selection Criteria

• Work experience with international organizations and in technical cooperation projects supporting countries.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in cereals production industry and value chain development.
• Ability to provide technical and advisory services.