National Agricultural Economist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Tajikistan, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Tajikistan to develop policies, programmes and projects to support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This is done through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind, in line with the Organization’s Strategic Framework and United Nations’ global and Government of Tajikistan’s national Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). FAO is implementing a Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) project, jointly with IOM, UNICEF and UN Women, titled “Empowerment of ‘Families left behind’ for improved Migration Outcomes in Khatlon, Tajikistan”. The objective of project component 2 is to “increase economic resilience and addressed gender related barriers to economic inclusion of families left behind”, which will be reached by five outputs, three of them being implemented by FAO: • increased capacity of women left behind to utilize their land and water resources to carry out farming activities through Farmers Field Schools (FFSs); and built interest of schoolchildren in agriculture and nutrition through Junior Field Schools (JFSs) (project output 2.1.) • increased/improved value chains through farming, small scale processing initiatives, retail and marketing. This will be done through competitive process for matching grant schemes and dissemination of best practices (project output 2.2.) • improved financial inclusion and increased skills and knowledge to manage debt.(project output 2.5)

Project output 2.2. will provide grants to co-finance investments found technically and financially feasible under project Component 2. These include grants to co-finance the implementation of competitively selected business plans in farming and value added activities. The National Agricultural Economist, will be responsible for ensuring the sustainability of the business models that the project will support, through competitive processes, for both (i) small-scale farming plots and (ii) home-based processing and value addition activities. He/she will also design and supervise the output related to improve financial inclusion and skills/knowledge of the women left behind to ensure the financial sustainability of the business and to manage debt.

Reporting Lines

The National Agricultural Economist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Tajikistan and under the technical supervision and guidance of the project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the National Technical Officer and the National Project Coordinator. He / she will work in close-coordination with the relevant units in FAO Representation Office in Tajikistan, Sub-regional Office (SEC) and Regional (REU) and at Headquarters in Rome, and in close co-operation with national counterparts, project national consultants and the joint PUNOs implementing this project.

Technical Focus

• Matching grants for agriculture and agro-processing activities; and technical support design, implement and monitor the competitive grant processes to support agriculture and agro processing development for abandoned women; • Values Chain Analysis and Development (VCAD); “Market for Poor” approaches; Climate smart agricultural (CSA) and natural resources management (NRM) practices and technologies; and awareness of existing tools that enable private investment in agriculture sector; • Field project development, implementation and quality assurance. Tasks and responsibilities The National Agricultural Economist will be responsible for the below mentioned: • Contribute to the development of rapid-value chains analysis to focus project interventions’ scope of (i) Farmers/Junior Field Schools and (ii) competitive proposals subprojects (or matching grants) for small-scale plot agricultural production and models of self-sufficient farming and enhanced home-based processing and farming value addition activities; • Present the competitive process to the target districts and communities; • Design a grant-scheme, selection criteria and launch thematic or/and geographic call for sub-project proposals to establish small-plots agricultural production and small-scale models of self-sufficient farming (i.e. seeds and fertilizers; materials for establishment rain water harvesting and small-scale irrigation; backyard nursery; greenhouses); • Design a grant-scheme, selection criteria and launching call for sub-project proposals (thematic or/and geographic) to enhance home-based processing and farming value addition activities (materials and equipment, solar driers, preserving vegetables; labelling and packeting, etc) within women groups of processing activities and home-based smallholders; • Design the beneficiary’s requirements for the co-financing contributions to the grants based on the financial capacities of the target beneficiary and the type of investments (e.g. drip irrigation will benefit from a higher grant ceiling per beneficiary); • Support cross visits for champions farmers and farmers groups and members of families left behind for both grant schemes: (agriculture and value addition); • Support the National Project Coordinator in the preparation of an extension service provider contract responsible to disseminate best practices (community-based events and fairs and awareness raising campaigns) based on the results of the above-mentioned activities; • Support the National Project Coordinator in the preparation and monitoring of a service provider contract to conduct the financial literacy, cost benefit of agricultural/non-agricultural investments, debt management and trial digital access to banking and skills for money management; • Review the findings of the project’s baseline survey, provide comments to improve the survey report and participate in consultative meetings with local stakeholders to discuss and present it; • Participate in a series of stakeholder (including representatives of the project’s target groups) workshops and meetings; • Prepare physical, technical and narrative reports periodically (monthly, quarterly, biannually and annually) as per needs of the GOT and Resource Partners; • Support the monitoring of the project performance for the relevant outputs/activities and the preparation of the mid-term review of the project (and recommend any corrective measures required to improve the impact of the project activities); • Facilitate communication between FAO and government, resource partners, partners from/into local languages; • Prepare an end of assignment report for approval by the FAOR and LTO; • Perform other duties within the National Agricultural Economist’s technical competence as required by the FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, business administration, public administration, socio-economic, political science or a related field. • At least 3 years of relevant experience in the development and matching grant schemes. • At least 3 years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: value chain analysis and development, agribusiness and market development, agro-food processing, post-harvest handling, and agro-food industry technologies, rural finances or other related discipline. • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Russian). • Excellent working knowledge of Excel. • National of Tajikistan or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation, analysis, planning and/or implementation of projects related to sustainable development of smallholder agriculture. • Relevance of experience in the field of the group-based, market-led and competitive approach to matching grants for agriculture and agro-processing activities; including technical support design, implement and monitor the competitive grant processes to support agriculture and agro processing development for abandoned women. • Relevance of knowledge and experience in climate smart agriculture and natural resources management (drip irrigation, greenhouses, soil and water conservation); and home-based and small scale processing and value adding activities. • Knowledge and familiarity in implementing the (i) Value Chain Analysis and Development (VCAD) framework; and (ii) “Market for Poor” approach; as well as Climate Smart Agricultural (CSA) and Natural Resources Management (NRM) practices and technologies; and awareness of existing tools that enable private investment in agriculture sector. • Knowledge of the Project Cycle Management (PCM); alignment of project actions to FAO’s PCM guidelines and quality assurance in the preparation of documents. • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions within Tajikistan. • Experience in working in the field with rural communities, producers and agro-processors groups. • Proficiency in Tajik would be a strong asset and advantage.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrable experience in the formulation, analysis, planning and/or implementation of subprojects / matching grants related to sustainable development of smallholder agriculture, particularly of women-groups, value chain development and matching grant schemes. • Demonstrable experience in the field of the group-based and market-led competitive process and grant scheme and participatory approach to agricultural extension, i.e.; FFS / JFS methodology, etc. • Working experience with women farming groups will be an asset. • Demonstrable knowledge and experience in climate smart agriculture and natural resources management (drip irrigation, greenhouses, soil and water conservation); and small scale processing and value adding activities. • Demonstrable experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions within Tajikistan. • Proficiency in Tajik is advantage. • Excellent working knowledge of Excel.