Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized technical agency of the United Nations established in 1945 whose mission is to contribute to eradicating hunger and achieving food security for all. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agri-foods systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

A Country Programming Framework (CPF) 2023-2027 outlines the shared priorities between the Government of Nepal (GoN) and FAO regarding FAO’s technical assistance over a five-year period focused on technical capacity building, policy development, enhancing agri-production, strengthening food systems, improving food & nutrition security, enhancing resilience to Disasters and impacts of Climate Change as well as threats posed by zoonotic diseases to human health through the One Health approach.

FAO programs are guided by United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2023-2027). The UNSDCF has four priority outcome areas namely 1. Sustainable Resilient and Inclusive Economic Transformation 2. Inclusive and Transformative Human Development 3. Environmental Sustainability, Climate and Disaster Resilience and 4. Governance, Federalism, Participation and inclusion. And FAO is contributing to all outcome areas. Likewise, FAO is custodian of 21 SDG indicators and contributing to achieve all goals particularly on SDG 2, 5, 6, 14, 15 and 16.

Nepal’s agriculture, a major GDP contributor and livelihood source, is transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming, backed by government policies and technology. Despite its potential and crop diversity, it faces challenges like outdated technology, inadequate infrastructure, limited market access, and climate change.

Promotion of crops like millet, quinoa, and oilseed can address these issues and boost productivity. A project is in progress to synthesize data for decision-making, pilot effective practices, and increase production capacity. It aims to enhance national capacity through training and skill development for agricultural staff and farmers.

The project will use an integrated approach, including GIS and crop modeling, to review productivity enhancement opportunities. It will also develop a planning framework, policies, and financial instruments for small-holder farmers. The goal is to bridge yield gaps, increase farm-level productivity, and build resilient, sustainable food production systems.

The overarching objective of this project is to transfer practical skills to farmers, agricultural extension workers on improved agricultural practices and climate-resilient farming strategies to overcome challenges like climate change, market fluctuations, and pest outbreaks.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), overall technical supervision of FAO RAP Lead Technical Officer and FAO HQ Technical Officer, the National Training and FSS Expert will collaborate with the FAO country office programme team to carry out assigned tasks.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will technically focus to develop comprehensive training modules including (crop production, soil management, irrigation techniques, pest management, post-harvest handling, and climate-smart techniques), and conduct ToF for developing facilitators to strengthen the capacities of agriculture extension workers, researchers, and policy makers.

Tasks and Responsibilities

•    Develop ToF curriculum and training materials and conduct ToF for developing facilitators who will carry out subsequent planned trainings for the government staff and farmers.
•    Support to strengthen capacities of extension workers, researchers, academia, and other value chain actors in producing, processing, and marketing nutrient-dense crops.
•    Carry out Farmers’ Field School (FFS) in three selected crops (millet, rapeseed, and quinoa) cropping pattern (at least 6 FFS with 180 farmers). FFS will be organic to the extent possible.
•    Document and analyze the field demonstration results on climate-smart innovative good agricultural production practices and standards from the pilot sites.
•    Support to develop pilot model farms on climate-smart, innovative, good agricultural production practices to showcase the successful implementation of tailored climate-smart, innovative, sustainable agronomic practices.
•    Support to develop IEC materials and knowledge products for broader dissemination.
•    Provide technical assistance and information as required.
•    Undertake other tasks as assigned.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Master’s degree in Agriculture.
•    At least five years of work experience in developing ToF curriculum and training materials and conducting ToF for developing facilitators using FFS approach.
•    Working knowledge of English and Nepali.
•    National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly as field positions is desirable.
•    Proven experience on designing and delivering technical training and capacity development activities.
•    Experience in coordinating or facilitating multi-stakeholder dialogue or policy process.
•    Strong inter-personal skills and excellent communication skills
•    Demonstrated experience in designing, collecting, and analyzing technical information and data on the nature-based crop protection.
•    Experience in agricultural research, laboratory production, and field application working with a wide range of partners including international and national organizations, government counterparts, research institutions, UN organizations, and the private sector;
•    Experience in the preparation, editing, and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.

Selection Criteria 

•    Demonstrated practical and technical experience in agriculture with major experience of local agricultural practices, challenges, and opportunities.
•    Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
•    Proven ability to coordinate and work with the government and community-based stakeholders, rights holders sensitively, cooperatively, and productively.
•    Ability to demonstrate the ICT for agricultural extension, including mobile apps, online platforms, and multimedia resources for knowledge dissemination and capacity building to the technical staff, farmers, and community-based organisation.
•    Ability to write the reports and publications with proven documents.
•    Previous experience working with UN agencies, research and government agencies in the similar area is desirable however, quality assessment report (QAR) will be assessed during the selection process.
•    Selection mode will follow pre-screening, interview and written by the evaluation team.