Farmer Field School Specialist Full-Time

Organizational Setting

The consultant will directly work under the supervision of the Budget Holder (BH) and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) in the FAO AGPM or FAO SFS in Harare. He or She will work closely with and strengthen the capacity of the government focal point, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) at central and local level.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will directly report to the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme and The Chief Technical Adviser (CTA).

Technical Focus

He or She will work closely with and strengthen the institutional capacity of the National Directorate for Agricultural Extension (DNEA) aiming at reinforcing the extension national system in particular the famer’s field school national critical mass of master trainers and facilitators in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MASA) at central and local level.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in the preparation and facilitation of the training courses of master’s trainers and facilitators on farmer field schools. During the courses, the expert will assist in the fine/tuning methodologies through practical experimentation, field visits and problems solving meetings with the trainees
• Conduct the training of Master Trainers Course on FFS in close collaboration with national FFS co/trainers
• Prepare the FFS methodological and technical hand out materials during the training exercise
• Collaborate with National Directorate for Agricultural Extension (DNEA) in the implementation of the FFS Action Plan
• Prepare a report of activities undertaken for submission to the FAO Representative in Mozambique

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree (for Consultants)/ University Degree (for PSAs) in Agronomy, Agro/economist, Agro/ecology, Biology, Veterinary Sciences, Rural Development or other related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in the area of agricultural participatory extension, particularly farmer field school approach
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian (for Consultants). Basic knowledge and ability to communicate in Portuguese is an asset.
• Working knowledge of one FAO language (for PSAs).

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
• Extent and relevance of experience in the area of agricultural participatory extension, particularly farmer field school approach
• Extent and relevance of experience in conducting Master Trainers and Facilitators Courses on FFS
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation systems of the agricultural sector
• Writing skills and preparation of documents

Selection Criteria

• Management capacity to ensure that planned activities will be implemented in a timely and smooth manner.
• Level of Knowledge of FAO rules and procedures or of other UN Agency with regard to management of project cycle and extensive abilities to work under pressure and against targets
• Level of responsibility to conduct and guide teams of extensions workers and farmers through a daily supervision
• Capacity to interact with various stakeholders to ensure networking and complementarities of synergies
• Language skills
• Written abilities
• Timing of relevant experience with FFS programs in rural settings in under developed environment