JOB DESCRIPTION

Technical Focus 

The National Digital Agriculture Specialist (User-Cantered design) will contribute to Output 2 of the project “A concept for a farmers’ digital education platform is developed”. The incumbent will focus on assessing the needs of smallholder farmers for digital education, collecting relevant agricultural knowledge and resources, and supporting the development of a concept for a digital education platform tailored to farmers’ needs.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Gather qualitative insights into the specific needs and preferences of smallholder farmers in Belarus through interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys to under their challenges, requirements, and needs for digital agriculture education.
•    Collect data on existing agricultural knowledge, data, services, and educational content available for farmers, and support the international consultant in assessing the quality and relevance of collected resources to enter the e-learning platform.
•    Develop platform’s interactive prototypes and continuously gather and incorporate smallholder farmers’ feedback to refine the platform concept, validate design concepts, and collecting feedback for iterative improvements. Ensure the platform is accessible, easy to use, and engaging for all learners, including the most vulnerable farmers, addressing barriers to digital technology adoption.
•    Support the drafting of technical and functional specifications (the concept) for the farmers’ digital education platform, including visual representations of interface and layout.
•    Help device a business model for the sustainability of the digital education platform.
•    Support the coordination of the project locally, working closely with the Gorki TechnoPark, farmer groups, farm advisors, private sector and other stakeholders.
•    Take stock of existing digital agriculture solutions and services in Belarus.
•    Support the coordination with service provider(s) for the implementation of project activities.
•    Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Service Design, Agricultural Science, Social Science, Computer Science, Rural Development or a related field.
•    At least 5 years of relevant experience in User-centred design, UX research, service design, e-learning development, digital platforms development, and related fields.
•    Working knowledge of English and Russian.
•    Must be a national of Belarus 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

•    Experience with UX research and service design.
•    Experience with the design of e-learning platforms, especially targeted at rural people and farmers, is an advantage.
•    Experience working with rural population and smallholder farmers including conducting needs assessments and facilitating workshops or other collaborative sessions.
•    Familiarity with digital solutions for agriculture.

Selection Criteria

•    Experience in agriculture and working with smallholder farmers is a strong asset.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements