National Specialist on sustainable Agriculture and Livelihoods (Quality control system, transparency, and Value chain Analysis)

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programs, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

FAO Liberia is implementing a joint program on Community Forestry Management in two of Liberia’s priority landscapes. With funding from the Embassy of Sweden, and under a UN-to-UN arrangement with UNDP, through the Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF). FAO will implement the program working with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and other relevant government institutions, international and national non-governmental organizations, as well as development institutions working towards sustainable natural resource management, environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation.

The Joint Programme, entitled “Community-Based Forestry and Protected Area Management: Boosting Biodiversity Conservation and Improving Livelihoods of Forest-Fringe/Forest-Dependent Communities and Groups in Liberia” seeks to strengthen management of community forests and protected areas in Liberia through improved governance of community forest management bodies, capacity building of forest regulatory institutions, empowerment of national CSOs/NGOs and Forest and Farm Producer Organizations, integrated natural resources management and the promotion of sustainable livelihood incentives for forest fringe communities.

The Joint Programme, building on the experiences of each organization, will work across the following four components:

• Component 1: Enabling policy, governance framework and institutional capacity for CFM. • Component 2: Promote effective community-based management of PAs and INRM in the target landscapes. • Component 3: Create and strengthen resilient, low-emission land management, equitable, non-timber forest product smallholder value chains through sustainable business development of forest and farm producers, and their organizations (e.g., cooperatives). • Component 4: Knowledge management, communication and awareness, gender mainstreaming, and monitoring & evaluation.

As part of the above Component 3, the activity 3.1.3.2 will “Implement sustainable production standards and criteria through Training of Trainers (ToT) on quality control systems, transparency, accountability, participation and value chain analysis”; which tends to address capacity barriers to increasing livelihood opportunities for communities by strengthening their capacities to become more climate-resilient including through diversification, enterprise development, marketing and access to finance using sustainable land and forest management as well as sustainable agricultural practices.

In so doing, FAO – Liberia is seeking two national consultants to develop two manuals of sustainable production standards and criteria and to build capacity of selected non-governmental organization (NGOs)/ Community-Based Organization (CBOs) and Community Forest Management Bodies (CFMBs)/Community leaders including women and persons with disability through training of trainers (ToT). This will ensure the project promotes women’s participation and empowerment to strengthen their roles in planning and decision-making, and to improve their productivity, incomes, and living conditions.

Project Landscapes Monrovia based with travels to project locations (North-eastern and South-eastern Regions)

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Liberia and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, and in full collaboration with the Project Management Specialist, the incumbent will undertake the tasks outlined below.

Technical Focus

Develop manual and conduct ToT on Agriculture and Livelihoods sustainable production standards and criteria on Quality control system, transparency, and Value chain Analysis

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop a detailed work plan to be presented including the description of the ToT manual, the methodology and the timeline. • Conduct a desk review of all relevant project/program documents and existing policies and laws relevant to quality control system, transparency, value chain as they relate to sustainable production standards and criteria of Community Forest management. • Support in preliminary consultations with CBFM Joint Project team (FAO, UNDP, FDA), with key stakeholders from governmental non-governmental entities: to identify specific capacity needs on sustainable production standards and criteria. • Develop Training of Trainers (TOT) manuals on sustainable production standards and criteria relative to quality control system, transparency, value chain. • Participate in joint sessions on Training of Trainers (TOT) for selected participants from NGOs/CBOs and CFMBs/Community leaders including women and persons with disability. • Produce final assignment report including Training manuals and report of TOT trainings.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Agriculture, Forestry, Regional Planning, Rural development, or other related field of studies including Business Administration, Public Policy. • At least 5 years of professional experience or specialization in Quality control, transparency, and value chain relative to Agriculture production, Livelihoods development, Sustainable Forest Management (SFM), natural resource management, and Business development • Working knowledge of English. • National of Liberia or a resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience in preparing related documentations for training purposes. • Proven ability to conduct Training of Trainer exercise. • Provide record for development of SFM and training materials and knowledge products. • Understanding of sustainable production standards and value chains in forestry. • Proven ability to build good relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including government institutions, NGOs, and local communities, and conduct fieldwork. • Work experience in Liberia. • Previous experience working on international donor projects is highly preferred. • Working knowledge of MS office and relevant IT tools and software. • Excellent communication, networking, written and presentation skills. • Familiar with United Nations System and/or FAO’s programming mechanisms.