International IT Operations Consultant

Organizational Setting

The project “Responding to the Economic Crisis: Protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods through safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seed for better productivity in paddy farming” aims at responding to the Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka, protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods through safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seed for better productivity in paddy farming. The project promotes transition of Sri Lankan agriculture towards more sustainable farming inputs including integrating use of organic fertilizer through IPNM. For this, the project will focus on soil fertility and supply of precise amount of plant nutrient for sustaining the desired productivity through optimization of the benefits of all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological components in an integrated manner. This would address a vital missing component in the country’s crop management system for paddy and would be extremely beneficial for both environmental and economic perspectives.

Reporting Lines

The International IT consultant will work under the overall supervision of the AFAOR (Programme) and under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close collaboration with National Specialists and International Consultants on IPNM, assistance of the National IT Specialist and the IT unit of the Extension and Training Centre (ETC) of the Department of Agriculture.

Technical Focus

The International IT Operations Consultant (upgrading of LMS platforms) will contribute to achieve the expected results ‘2’ of the project “Extension officials and farmers trained on the right amount, safe and efficient use of fertilizer through IPNM strategy” by strengthening LMS e-platform established in MOA to provide exposure and training on IPNM to the 35000 paddy farmers through designing training and communication material over e-platforms.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assess the feasibility of using the existing LMS platform to host the proposed IPNMS trainings and mobile applications of the Extension and Training Centre (ETC) of the Department of Agriculture’s to enable introduction of new training material developed for the IPNM training in all local language options;
• Upgrade/update existing learning management platforms and mobile applications of the Extension and Training Centre (ETC);
• Oversee the assigned tasks of the service provider for IPNMS advocacy and SBCC campaign and provide necessary guidance;
• Develop ToR for the service provider for LMS development (mobile and web applications) and maintenance;
• In collaboration with IPNM experts prepare the web based training material on IPNM;
• Ensure adequate training of associated government officials on the upgraded platform;
• Guide National IT Specialist;
• Any other task assigned by the FAOR;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (for Consultants) / University Degree (for PSA.SBS) in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering or a related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in delivering digital and information technology solutions and services, learning platforms development for computer and mobile devises.
• Working knowledge (level C) in English language, spoken and written; limited knowledge (level B) of one of the official FAO languages (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English would suffice.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in advance programming methodologies
• Ability to understanding and incorporation interoperability concepts
• Experience in developing e-platforms for sharing learning modules
• Experience in drafting TORs
• Experience in developing learning management systems
• Experience in reviewing SRS document
• Experience in working in the context of multi stakeholder project