Tea Expert

Organizational Setting:

FAO Representative in Madagascar, to Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

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 Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close collaboration with the National Agricultural Product Regulatory Office, and Ministry of Agro-Industry and Food Security.

Technical Focus:

Agriculture

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant (Tea Expert) will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Transformation of the tea sector – TCP/ TCP/MAR/3804”.

• Develop a workplan for the consultancy including timeframes for regular updates to the project’s LTO and Project Steering Committee
• Conduct field visits and stakeholder consultations to appreciate the extent of the issues
• Assist and oversee project
• In close coordination with the LTO support the multidisciplinary project team by provide advice on technical aspects for the sustainable development of the tea sector
• Develop technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks including the development of the baseline to measure the development progress of the project
• Ensure synergy, collaboration and complementarity between all other members multidisciplinary team
• Ensure technical and quality assurance of all deliverables of the project
• Contribute to the drafting of the tea policy and tea sector development strategy and plan
• Provide technical guidance to the setting up of Farmers Field School
• Ensure that the draft tea bill meet all technical requirements for sustainable development of the tea sector
• Guide the preparation of production diversification feasibility study in line with the global and local tea market
• Lead the team in developing the outline, timeframe, and designing a tea sector transformation action plan for scaling up investment in tea production
• Contribution to the development of the Climate proofing strategy and greening of the production
• Provide technical guidance to the national consultants and contribute to the:
  • development of the national tea policy
  • development the capacity development plan and framework
  • designing the institutional framework
  • development of the e-strategy for the tea sector and e-strategy action plan;
  • climate proof tea production strategy
• Draft a terminal report at the end of the project
• Perform other related duties related with the project when required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in any agricultural related field and agricultural economics;
• At least 15 years’ professional experience working in tea sector
• Working knowledge of English or French and limited knowledge of one of the other two (for Consultants). For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English or French.

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
• Good understanding of the global tea sector
• Good analytical and writing skills
• Experiences on developing agriculture Institutional Framework and drafting and implementation of agriculture related sectoral development programs