National Consultant on Agriculture Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

The National Consultant on Agriculture Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming will be assigned in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and сontribute to the implementation of the TCP/KAZ/3802 project.

Reporting Lines

The National Consultant on Agriculture Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Kazakhstan, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) of the project, and in the day-to-day coordination of the FAO Kazakhstan office. The National Consultant will also work under the technical guidance of project international consultants, and in close cooperation with national project consultants and relevant national stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of the assigned tasks, lead the assessments and development of policy recommendations contributing to the project activities, and organize stakeholder consultations. He/she acts independently in routine matters and interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the organization providing technical support.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Consultant on Agriculture Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming will perform the following tasks:

• Analyze national policies, legal and institutional frameworks governing agriculture and rural development with particular attention to family farming and young farmers and prepare a comprehensive assessment report;
• Map the relevant national actors to be consulted and involved in the development of policy recommendations and a comprehensive set of actions related to the support and development of family farming (household farms) in Kazakhstan, in line with the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF);
• Develop a concept note outlining the planned multi-stakeholder policy dialogue and the consultation process;
• Assist in organizing a series of multi-stakeholder policy dialogue and consultations to collect inputs for the development of policy recommendations and a comprehensive set of actions for the support and development of family farming;
• Provide support to ensure involvement of relevant ministry representatives working at national and regional levels on technical fields related to family farming (social security, agriculture, water use, education, etc.) at the planned multi-stakeholder policy dialogue and consultations;
• Draft a comprehensive action plan for the support and development of family farming, including small-scale family farms and young farmers, in line with the United Nations Decade of Family Farming 2019-2028 (UNDFF), including defining the concept of family farming in the context of Kazakhstan;
• Provide input to the preparation of the policy recommendations to support enhanced rural development;
• With the support of the project team, organize a national multi-stakeholder workshop to validate the policy documents drafted within the framework of the project for the support of family farming in Kazakhstan;
• Provide input to the concept note for a subsequent donor or government-funded project focusing on integrated community development, income generation, and improvement of livelihoods of small-scale family farming and youth;
• In collaboration with the National Consultant on Land Tenure and Family Farming and the National Consultant on Land Administration, develop the criteria for the selection of two pilot areas for a feasibility study with a focus on land market development, tenure security and development of family farming;
• Travel to project sites when needed;
• Prepare back to office reports after each mission.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Public Policy, Rural Development, Economics, Agriculture, Agricultural Economics, Social Science or related subjects.
• Five years of relevant experience.
• Working knowledge of English and Russian (Level C in oral and written).
• Good knowledge of the MS Office applications and other telecommunication tools and equipment.
• National of Kazakhstan or resident in the country with a regular residence/work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• High degree of initiative and willingness to provide support to the international and national staff involved in the projects
• Logical thinking and sound judgment
• Attention to details and sense of urgency
• Excellent communication skills and ability to explain procedures clearly (in speaking and writing)
• Good level of knowledge of Agricultural Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming
• Experience in working with multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams with demonstrated strategic thinking skills
• Ability to act at national and local levels
• Strong planning, organization and time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks
• Proficiency of standard IT technology and equipment
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture, rural development and family farming.
• Work experience within the United Nations system is considered as an asset, but not mandatory