National Agriculture and Capacity Building Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Project brief outline

Within the framework of the country’s effort to support Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) as part of the larger project consortium led by FAO, the Project GCP/GLO/1069/GER-F: “Facility for Action for Climate Empowerment to achieve the Nationally Determined Contributions” (FACE-NDC) is intended to be implemented from 2023-2027. The objective of the project is to develop a climate education (CE) program for all members of the Zambian society. The project will map institutions and stakeholders, identify country specificities and requirements of vulnerable groups to engage in CE. It will develop and accredit CE curricula for primary and secondary schools, develop supporting materials and train educators to integrate the CE program into existing programs. Specialized courses for university students and professionals will be developed. The capacity of local academic and digital infrastructure will be built for effective implementation. Informal education program will be developed and the capacity of local stakeholders for implementation will be strengthened. It will also be ensured that the results, tools and resources of the project can be “exported”, target groups in Zambia and the region are informed about the project activities and outputs via open communication channels and open-access information platform.

The support is based on the guidelines as provided by the Country Programming Framework (CPF). The current Zambia CPF has five priority areas: (1) Increased and Gender Responsive Productivity and Production, and enhanced Research and Development (Crops, Livestock, Capture Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Forestry); (2) Inclusive Agri-business Development, Marketing and Trading; (3) Inclusive Green Growth and Environmental Sustainability; (4) Nutrition and Food Systems enhancement, and Social Protection; (5) Inclusive and Gender Responsive Policy Development and Implementation.

The incumbent’s tasks will mainly contribute to the third priority.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator,.

Technical Focus

• Agriculture • Sustainable agricultural transitions • Climate change, biodiversity, and environment • Capacity building • Training • Extension services

Tasks and responsibilities

• In close collaboration with the international consultant leading Output 3 of the project and the National BeSci Consultant, develop and deliver the training for the selected non-formal climate education NGOs/CBOs through behaviourally-informed modules on climate smart and sustainable agricultural practices. • In collaboration with the National BeSci Consultant, develop and deliver the training for selected non-formal climate education NGOs/CBOs through behaviourally informed modules on community-based and sustainable forest management. • Support the International consultant on youth engagement in strengthening of adult and children refugee camp schools through provision of materials and tools for sustainable living, food production and energy use. • Support consortium members, in particular CBU and UNZA in developing action plan and holding consortium planning meetings to agree on content development and institutions to deliver certain courses. • In collaboration with experts from CBU and UNZA, strengthen University Programmes, as well as curriculum for TVETs, agricultural colleges and forestry colleges, and development of new multi-disciplinary (if relevant) long or short courses at CBU, UNZA or elsewhere. • Support experts from CBU and UNZA and other consortium members in providing small grants for university master’s and PhD students to undertake research and practical work related to green growth and energy areas. • Support experts from CBU and UNZA and other consortium members in organizing international exchange visits to build capacity of university lecturers. • In close collaboration with the International senior circular economy expert and experts from UNITAR, organize the training for government officials (including at municipal level) on specific topics of green economy and climate change mitigation. • In collaboration with the International senior circular economy expert, National business consultant and experts from UNITAR, support private sector “roundtable” events as a way of defining relevant learning packages, but also building on existing internal learning approaches of these companies and development of new materials in collaboration with industry associations and national training partners. • In collaboration with the International senior circular economy expert, National business consultant and experts from UNITAR, develop online and physical training content for greening of value chains in collaboration with industry or business associations. • In collaboration with the National business consultant and experts from UNITAR, CBU and UNZA, support the industrial placement of students in industries. • In collaboration with the International senior circular economy expert, National business consultant and experts from UNITAR, develop eLearning or appropriate courses/support to private sector to adopt mitigation and efficiency options. • In collaboration with the experts from UNITAR, support capacity building activities and support to innovation hubs/accelerator and labs/incubators to promote green business and ensure readiness of start-ups and SMEs to access funds supporting the green transitions. • Working with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, define the scope and structure of MSc level modules based on the review of MSc programme curricula at UNZA and CBU, students’ knowledge gaps and interests, and labor market needs. • In collaboration with the International senior sustainable technology’s expert and the International sustainable development expert, develop the modules’ syllabi and lesson plans and teaching materials, building on the existing scientific literature, textbooks, and case studies. • Working with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, support integration of the modules into the MSc Programmes at Zambian university/universities and promotion activities. • In collaboration with the International sustainable development expert, pilot the modules and upgrade/align the syllabi based on the external evaluation and students’ feedback. • Together with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, support full implementation of the modules with continued monitoring and evaluation activities. • In collaboration with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, select a European partner university, research institutions and/or experts, and establish a cooperation. • Closely working with the International senior sustainable technologies’ expert, the International sustainable development expert, and the selected European University, implement capacity building trainings for academic staff, and possibly exchange visits with European academic/research institutions. • Together with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, support the International senior sustainable technologies expert in assessing available infrastructure at UNZA and CBU and identifying the equipment and personnel capacity needs. • In collaboration with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant, define the scope of capacity development programme based on TVET curriculum review and competency assessment and labor market needs. • In collaboration with the International senior sustainable technologies’ expert and the International sustainable development expert, support the development of curricula, syllabi, lesson plans and teaching materials building on the existing educational materials, scientific literature, textbooks, and case studies. • In collaboration with the International senior sustainable technologies’ expert and the International sustainable development expert, participate in the training of trainers for TEVET (implemented under WP9). • In collaboration with the International senior sustainable technologies’ expert and International sustainable technologies junior consultant, define the capacity building curriculum based on competency assessment and labour market needs. Develop a capacity building strategy, aligning with national policies and ongoing initiatives. • In collaboration with the International senior sustainable technologies expert and International sustainable technologies junior consultant, develop sector-specific capacity building materials building on the existing educational materials, scientific literature, textbooks, and case studies. • Working together with the International sustainable technologies junior consultant and the contracted regional training center, participate in trainings of trainers for private sector (implemented under WP6/WP7). • Together with the International sustainable technologies junior consultant, support the International senior sustainable technologies expert in defining capacity building curriculum and implementation strategy based on consultations with relevant ministries and competency assessment of public sector employees. • In collaboration with the International sustainable technologies’ junior consultant and the International senior sustainable technologies expert, develop training materials, building on the existing educational materials and case studies. • Working together with the International sustainable technologies junior consultant and the contracted regional training center, participate in the trainings of trainers for private sector (implemented under WP6/WP7). • With support from the National consultant developing climate change learning materials for Technical vocational level, through consultations and review of existing training materials identify gaps and resources required by extension and forestry staff to engage farmers and community members. • In collaboration with the National consultant developing climate change learning materials for Technical vocational level, create and test modules, resources and eLearning content and finalize based on feedback from pilot groups. • In collaboration with the National consultant developing climate change learning materials for Technical vocational level, support the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems (SIFAZ) project in the design of the farmer app and any required FACE NDC additional functionalities, and other projects. • In collaboration with the National TVET master trainer, in selected TEVETs assess capacity of teachers and curriculums and support them to include relevant materials developed by the project or elsewhere. • In collaboration with the National TVET master trainer and the contracted TVET institutes, support course and resource development and conduct TOT in the selected TEVETs and provide mentoring for the lecturers to undertake the new modules/materials. • Working with relevant government entities and through project such as the Support the Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems (SIFAZ) role out the resources and materials to extension staff and forestry officers. • Through the app developed support providing informal access to resources, peer-to-peer exchange and training. • Working together with the National BeSci expert and the contracted regional farmer field school network, engage with the regional FFS network, identify key gaps and support the development and integration of the new resources and materials into the programme. • Develop a document with comparative strength of such interventions and a roadmap to upscale the results. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry, Agricultural Economics, Climate Change, Environmental Sciences, Education, or related field. • At least a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in capacity building Programmes and initiatives, in particular on sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agroecology, biodiversity loss and other environmental and social issues. • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian). • A national of Zambia.

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. • Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset; and familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset. • Very good knowledge of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment. • Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agroecology, or nature-based solutions. • Extent and relevance of experience in extension, training and capacity building Programmes and initiatives, on sustainable agriculture, climate smart agriculture, agroecology. • Extent and relevance of experience in educational and capacity building initiatives, projects, and Programmes, to address climate change, biodiversity loss and other environmental and social issues to enable sustainable transitions. • Experience in educational curriculum development for primary/ secondary/ vocational levels, ensuring equal access to education for different groups, will be considered an advantage. • Knowledge of Zambian context and experience of curriculum development for Zambian farmer field schools is a strong advantage. • Ability to engage and deal with stakeholders at national, sub-national and regional level. • Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical documents, guidelines, manuals, and reports, in English. • Demonstrated ability to work in multi-cultural and geographically dispersed teams, including through remote work

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• 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.