National Expert - Capacity Development, Innovation and Digital Technologies

Organizational Setting:

FAO Representative in Madagascar, to Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles

Background

The Government of the Republic of Mauritius (GoM) plans to bring the sector back from the brink of collapse and capitalize on its unique island characteristic as well as on the opportunities presented from rising demand for Mauritian tea. It is within this framework that the Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security (MAIFS) requested FAO to undertake a study to identify the drivers which led the tea industry into decline and what dynamic transformative actions are needed to reverse this trend. The report recommended a holistic approach from bush to cup for a successful transformation of the tea sector, which includes a range of interventions to address the systemic challenges facing the tea industry and subsequently transform the tea sector. The GoM has requested technical assistance. FAO has responded positively to the request through the provision of a Technical Cooperation Project (TCP) to support local capacity and help the local stakeholders organized themselves to achieve the transformation.

Reporting Lines:

Under the direct managerial and administrative leadership of the FAO Representative in Madagascar as the Budget Holder, overall-guidance of the Capacity Development Officer from FAO-HQ for Capacity Assessment and Investment Officer (Digital Agriculture), under the technical supervision of Tea expert (TCDC) and overall – guidance of Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with the National Agricultural Product Regulatory Office, Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute and Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

Technical Focus:

Innovation and Digital Technologies

Tasks and responsibilities

The national consultant will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Transformation of the tea sector – TCP/ TCP/MAR/3804”. The national consultant will undertake the following duties:

• Develop a workplan for the consultancy including timeframes for regular updates to the project’s LTO.

1. Capacity Development and Knowledge Management

• In consultation with the Government and FAO Mauritius, prepare and submit the capacity assessment Inception Report of minimum 5 pages, containing: overall organisation of the assessment; a mapping of key stakeholders, including organizations/institutions and categories of individuals, to be involved in the assessment; proposed framework/methodology and tools/instruments for the capacity assessment, and a tentative schedule for the assessment;
• Conduct a capacity assessment to identify needs and priorities for a sustainable tea sector in Mauritius focusing on capacity issues across the three dimensions – individuals, institutions and enabling environment, and taking into account the needs of the government entities and other relevant stakeholders;
• Produce a draft and final report that detail key findings and provide actionable recommendations;
• Prepare a capacity development plan based on the results of the assessment, incorporating different capacity development modalities, sequenced in priority order.
• Support implementation of the capacity development plan;
• Liaise with key stakeholder institutions to ensure their active participation, integration of input and technical/operational support throughout the entire capacity assessment and development process;
• Conduct a knowledge audit to identify and map knowledge gaps and users’ needs in the tea sector and recommend responsive solutions, tools and initiatives;
• Facilitate knowledge management focusing on identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned directly linked to the project goals and activities;
• Facilitate knowledge sharing among stakeholders in the tea sector;
• Establish a knowledge sharing platform for stakeholders in the tea incorporating sustainability issues.

2. Innovation and Digital Technologies (e-strategy for the tea sector to digitalization strategy for the tea sector.)

• Provide technical guidance, in consultation with national partners, and through the e-strategy taskforce for the development of the e-strategy for the tea sector and develop action plan;
• Undertake a need and gap assessment of the tea sector, with focus on ICT, identifying the challenges and opportunities in deploying ICT solutions while documenting existing capacities;
• Provide technical guidance and inputs for the development of the tea sector e-strategy vision document, highlighting the roles of key stakeholders in supporting the implementation of digital services and solutions;
• Provide technical guidance and inputs for the development of the tea sector e-strategy action plan, that provides priority solutions with detailed information, technical specifications, required resources for the various national entities to be involved in its implementation;
• Contribute to trainings on targeted technical elements related to e-strategy solutions and the operationalization of the strategy. Trainings will include elements related to ICT development, e-solutions, standards, ICT solutions, agricultural data, data integrity, lessons learnt;
• Contribute to workshops that focus on building provincial capacities in utilizing FAO and other digital agriculture systems. The workshop also aims to train government staff in identifying, developing and maintaining sustainability of e-solutions which may be related to ICT, data access, partnerships, data integrity protocols, and standards.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in any agricultural related field, information and knowledge management and digital technologies
• At least 10 years professional experience in capacity assessment, development and knowledge management, and innovation and digital technologies
• Good understanding of the Mauritian agriculture context
• Working knowledge of English and French
• Nationality of Mauritius 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

• Strong administrative and organisational skills,
• Computer literacy
• Good English technical report writing skills.
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation
• Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision