NATIONAL PROJECT ASSISTANT

Organizational Setting

FAO is a key player pushing for interventions that bridge the continuum between humanitarian support and development interventions in the food and agriculture sector, covering rural and peri-urban areas. Assisting in preventing disaster-related emergencies, providing early warning for food emergencies, and helping in rehabilitation of food production systems are amongst FAO’s predominant roles. The main forms of FAO’s interventions include, but are not limited to, needs assessments, the provision of essential agricultural inputs and technical assistance in planning and management for sustainable recovery and resilience in rural production systems. FAO’s well-known FFS approach as the preferred capacity building methodology for Farmers can be well adapted to Iraq for the crops, livestock and water management sub-sectors and capacity development of beneficiary groups (i.e., women, men, and youth). Over the last decade, enabling farmers to apply improved production techniques through Farmer Field Schools, enhancing commercialization and value chain approach farmers’ capacity. FAO is currently the agency of reference in rural development and FFS recognized by public institutions, development partners and civil society organizations. The incumbent will largely support one of FAO’s largest projects in Iraq, entitled: “Support agricultural livelihoods of rural and peri-urban returnees and communities in Nineveh Governorate, Iraq. FAO supports about 23,000 smallholder households as they rebuild their agricultural livelihoods to diversify their income and achieve food security. One of the main expected contributions by the project is the training in participatory extension methods promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural practices under the banner of Farmer Field Schools (FFS). The incumbent is responsible for finalizing the curriculum together and lead the FFS training for extension staff as important FFS trainers and community facilitators. The expert is responsible for the effective implementation of different learning elements such as farmer field days, guide the set up/ monitoring of demonstration plots and organizing field seminars.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Iraq, the technical guidance of the FAO Lead Technical Officer LTO at RNE, under direction of the Project manager in Baghdad, and the direct supervision of the International Agriculturist Specialist/International Horticultural FFS Specialist in Erbil, the National Project Assistant will be supporting the implementation of FFS training programme in Iraq. He/she will provide technical support and ensure a good implementation of the activities in line with the FFS methodology, in line with project work plan and approved budget.

Technical Focus

The National Project Assistant will prepare training materials and formulate a curriculum, based upon the identified needs of the farmers and the project beneficiaries for horticultural and vegetable production component and to contribute to the overall project delivery development. S/he will further deliver Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and ToT trainings on horticulture and best agricultural practices on vegetable production. The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the project team and MoA staff to ensure overall technical quality of the project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review available reports and conduct key informant interviews to identify/ verify at training needs of farmers; • Provide technical expertise to the capacity building and practically deliver technical and field training process (incl. FFS) of extension staff and family farmers on areas related with agronomics practices, commercialization, value chain, resilience, natural resources management among others; • Support for the inclusion of productivity improvement, sustainable land management SLM, commercialization, value chain approach, gender approach and/or other relevant issues into the FFS curriculum; • Prepare the program for the FFS implementation and supervision of FFS in the project targeted areas in close collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, in particular the selected extension staff supporting the project; • Prepare of the FFS curricula tailored to the farmer’s needs; • Prepare and organize Training of Trainers (ToT) for technicians and FFS facilitators on establishment and running of FFSs; • Follow up and coordination with the related authorities their contribution to the FFS programme; • Make sure that all training materials will be available during the schools session; • Supervise and contribute to the establishment and running of the FFS; • Support and supervise the M&E of the FFS component with support of the M&E Expert; • Prepare monthly, semester, annual report according to FAO format; • Monitor and report the progress of the FFS and demonstrations plots activities; • Assess existing public and private sector systems for extension and farmer support in the project areas, including their technical content, coverage, and effectiveness, specifically the degree to which they address considerations of environmental sustainability and the integrated management of farming systems. • Timely prepare technical progress reports of the FFS and demonstrations plots activities and all monitoring reports and final report; • Prepare a final assignment report. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Education: University degree in a field related to agronomy and horticulture sciences, rural development, food sciences, and other related areas; • Experience: At least five years in agricultural development, crop production and FFS curriculum preparation, technical and financial follow up and evaluation, demonstrated field experience and capacity in training facilitators on FFS. • Language: Working knowledge (level C) of English and Arabic language • Iraqi National.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Academic and practical experience in extension methods • Familiar with implementation of so-called Good Agricultural Practices and Climate Smart Agriculture • Solid analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think creatively. • Excellent team leader and communication skills. • Experience or knowledge of running small businesses is an added advantage. • Good reporting skills.

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/