Organizational Setting

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

The following position is at SB3 SC5 level

The positions are located in each of the four River Basins of Balochistan Province namely:
–    Hamun-e-Mashkhel (based in Kharan District)
–    Hingol (based in Khuzdar District)
–    Nari (based in Loralai District) 
–    Pishin-Lora (based in Quetta District)

Pakistan has been experiencing frequent natural disasters and non-coherent economic policies which has affected the overall economy specifically the agriculture sector and livelihood of the people. Outbreak of pandemic and locust attack has damaged agriculture crops and affected the food supply chain in Pakistan. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is supporting the Government of Pakistan at national and provincial levels through different analytical policy reports on food supply chain, food forecast livestock, forestry, fisheries and climate change. Similarly, a web-based data management system is under development for agriculture, food security and nutrition statistics in Pakistan. Through this system, support Government of Pakistan in monitoring food prices and supply chain through live dashboards will enable better planning and policy making.
To address these challenges and enhance agricultural productivity, FAO is building the capacity of farmers, livestock owners and water users through establishing Farmer Field School (FFS), Farmer Business School (FBS), Farmers Climate Schools (FCS) and Groundwater Management Schools (GWMS) in almost 20 targeted districts of Balochistan under Revival of Balochistan Water Resources Program (RBWRP).

Reporting Lines

Under overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Pakistan, the provincial supervision of the International Program Coordinator in Balochistan, and direct guidance of the Farmer Field School Specialist, the incumbent will report to the respective River Basin Team Leader (RBTL) of each river basin in close collaboration with project team in performance of the following tasks and duties.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring the timely achievement of project activities while maintaining high-quality results. He/she will oversee the establishment and functioning of the planned Farmers’ Schools (FFS, FBS, FCS, and GWMS) according to the required standards. Additionally, the incumbent will coordinate and support partner organizations in setting up these schools. He/she will facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and report on the progress of the ongoing Farmers’ Schools and related project activities in the selected watersheds.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Facilitate the establishment and effective functioning of FFS-FBS pertaining to low water use agriculture and livestock farming for communal schemes in selected watersheds within four targeted river basins of Balochistan.
•    Facilitate and participate in capacity building events/ TOT trainings on Farmers’ Schools (FFS, FBS, FCS and GWMS), facilitation skills, farmer training curricula, monitoring methods, and others.
•    Promote gender-sensitive approaches and inclusivity in the training and implementation process.
•    Identify and develop case studies and success stories for periodic reports.
•    Enter FFS Facilitators and learner’s data in Kobo database regularly to support Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Team to undertake pre and post monitoring of the FFS/LFFS sites, learners and trainings offered.
•    Facilitate the Training of Farmer Facilitators (ToFF) and provide continuous backstopping to the Farmer Facilitator.
•    Closely work with the River Basin Team Leaders (RBTLs)/ supervisor and sectoral specialist for collection and compilation of all the information related to FFS/FBS.
•    Coordination with social mobilizer and NGOs hired for social mobilization service.
•    Coordinate related project activities for networking of farmers and livestock keepers, awareness creation and knowledge management through the established Farmers’ Schools (FFS, FBS, FCS and GWMS),
•    Facilitate field level activities related to mobilization, formation, and facilitation of Farmers’ Schools (FFS, FBS, FCS and GWMS) in the target villages in close coordination with the Green Sector Line Departments (Agriculture, Livestock and Forest and Irrigation) or partners’ organizations.
•    Facilitate distribution of various agriculture, livestock, and forest & rangeland inputs in the selected villages etc.
•    Conduct regular field visits of the project area and provide guidance for appropriate crops management livestock and rangeland management & report to team leaders for further recommendations.
•    Provide timely and accurate reports on the progress and achievements of FFS/FBS to team leaders and sector leads.
•    Facilitate participation of beneficiaries in capacity building programs through exchange visits and study tours by identifying progressive agriculture; livestock and rangeland stakeholders to be sent to developed regions within province or country.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements   

•    University degree in agriculture, Livestock, Forest, Agribusiness, Natural Sciences or related education background.
•    03 years’ experience Farmer Field School (FFS) in agriculture, livestock, or relevant field.
•    Working knowledge of the English language and working knowledge of Urdu and local languages (Pushto, Balochi, Brahvi) used in province.
•    National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Practical knowledge of farmers’ Capacity Building & Community organization skills.
•    Proficient in basic computer skills including MS Office.
•    Ability of working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment and rural communities.
•    Understanding of the purpose and functions of technical programmes, operational guidelines and programme/project management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO would be considered an added asset
•    Good knowledge of common administrative and financial rules and regulations.
•    Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
•    Display initiative and take responsibility for achieving agreed outputs within set deadlines and closely follow-up until successful outputs are achieved.
•    Continue to seek new, innovative and improved methods and systems for accomplishing the work assigned.
•    Proven expertise and knowledge in modern practices, entrepreneurship and value addition related to agriculture, livestock, water or rangeland management.
•    Experience in facilitating training programs for farmers and extension workers.
•    Familiarity with the agriculture, livestock and rangeland challenges in Balochistan will be an added advantage.
•    Strong communication, facilitation, and report writing skills.
•    Proficient in basic computer skills.
•    Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and teams.

Selection Criteria 

•    Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION