National e-Voucher Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) received a grant from the European Union to implement an e-Voucher intervention in the provinces of Nampula and Zambezia. Most recently the intervention has been upscaled in terms of number of beneficiaries and geographical coverage to the Beira Corridor.

FAO envisages facilitating access to goods (e.g. seeds and fertilizers) and services (e.g. mechanization) to its beneficiaries (i.e. farmers) through an electronic voucher system. Beneficiaries will purchase a range of goods from a network of pre-selected vendors (agro-dealers and retailers) by redeeming e-vouchers at vendors’ shops. Starting from 2020, FAO customized and began using its own e-Voucher ecosystem called IDEA (Identification Delivery Empowerment Application) which was customized based on the experience and needs of Mozambique.

The program, which envisages several categories of beneficiaries with different levels of co-payments and subsidies, will be implemented in selected districts of Zambezia (Alto Molocue, Gurue, Mocuba, Namacurra, Nicoadala), Sofala (Buzi, Dondo and Nhamatanda) and Manica (Barue, Manica, and Sussundenga).

To this end, FAO is recruiting a National e-Voucher Specialist to support the implementation and delivery of PROMOVE Agribiz results in all districts according to the PROMOVE/Agribiz Project Document. This position is based in the Mocuba hub, Mozambique with frequent travel to the project implementation sites.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct technical supervision of the Project Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the Agricultural Officer (e-Voucher Advisor), and in close collaboration with other FAO experts, partner organization of PROMOVE Agribiz (GIZ, DIME, FNDS) and government institutions and development partners working on cash and voucher programs in Mozambique, the Specialist’s primary responsibility is to oversee the implementation of the activities at field level ( Zambezia province) in support of the e-Voucher scheme during the agricultural seasons of 2023-24.

Technical Focus

Cash and Voucher, technical assistance, coordination and monitoring and evaluation.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specific responsibilities:

• In coordination with FAO local offices, ensure that the objectives and implementation rules of the e-voucher intervention are properly disseminated and shared with key government counterparts and communities’ leaders at provincial and district levels;

• Maintain close contact with SDAE officials ensuring a constant flow of information related to the project’ progress and achievements;

• Maintain close working relations with all the active actors (e.g. ICM, SUSTENTA, AFAP) at the provincial and district level engaged in activities related to key agro-inputs chains (e.g., seeds, fertilizers, agricultural services). This task must include the cashew sector (Zambezia province) in coordination with IAM and GIZ;

• Coordinate field monitoring visits to the agro-dealers network including retailers in the project districts in close coordination with the seed laboratory of Zambezia (Namacurra);

• Liaise with the Service Providers (SPs) involved in the e-voucher scheme (e.g. agro dealers);

• Conduct, in close coordination with the M&E officer, regular monitoring field visits in the areas of intervention in order to ensure the correct implementation of activities and the appropriate targeting of selected beneficiaries;

• In coordination with farmer field school (FFS) specialists, organize sensitization meetings with FFSs groups and farmers associations and cooperatives;

• Support linkages with other components of the programme and other FAO interventions in the area inorder to create appropriate synergies and coordination among interventions.

• In coordination with the Software Developer Specialist guarantee technical assistance to SPs and other users of the IDEA eco-system;

• Conduct trainings for Implementing Partners (IPs) (e.g. enumerators, agro-dealers) that utilize IDEA MIS tools for beneficiary registrations and inputs redemption when required;

• Ensure that the voucher scheme follows and puts in practice the principles of FAO Accountability framework. This includes sharing relevant information with farming communities and main partners, ensuring their participation and feedback throughout the project cycle;

• Ensure that the voucher scheme is implemented in accordance with corporate rules, processes and procedures.

• Extract collected data in relevant formats to present to relevant stakeholders for analysis and generate liquidation reports to ensure payments of agro dealers/ merchants and/or other IPs according to specific projects agreements.

• Conduct random monitoring of beneficiaries registered in the IDEA MIS in order to ensure compliance with the registration and redemption procedures;

• If requested, represent FAO in meetings and/or workshops on agro-inputs chains organized at provincial level;

• Monitor the prices of agriculture inputs in the area of intervention;

• Support the World Bank Development Impact Evaluation (DIME) research group, in activities organized at field level;

• Support and monitor activities related to data collection related to the e-voucher intervention.

• Prepare and submit ad hoc reports as required;

• Perform any other related duties in support of programme, as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree required (minimum Bachelor) in Information Technology, Agriculture Economics or other related field;

• Five years of professional experience in the field of rural development, with at least 1 year of experience in voucher programs;

• Working knowledge (Level C) of Portuguese and English (written and spoken).

• National of Mozambique.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in food security interventions desired.

• Proven experience in the use of management information systems and databases.

• Experience in field registration of beneficiaries using mobile data collection tools.

• Experience in market and need assessments in rural areas.

• Capacity to work under minimum guidance.

• Capacity to build effective relationships and partnerships with team members and external partners.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• 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.