Training Specialist

Job Description

VA Number: 1900686 

Training Specialist (Agro-ecosystem)

Job Posting: 29/Mar/2019
Closure Date: 13/Apr/2019, 3:44:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FANEP
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Nepal-Kathmandu
Duration: 168 days on spread over until end February 2020
Post Number: N/A

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO helps developing countries in transition modernize and improve agriculture including livestock, forestry and fisheries practices, ensuring good nutrition and food security for all. Upon request from the Government of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, the FAO has provided technical assistance for the execution of the Technical Cooperation Project entitled “strengthening agro-ecosystems resilience for climate change adaptation to improve food and nutrition security (TCP/NEP/3701)”. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) with its outfits is the government counterpart for the implementation of this project. MoALD is responsible for ensuring sustainable agricultural production and environment conservation through improvement of agro-ecosystem services.

Objectives

Provide needful technical expertise to carry out tasks as envisioned in the Terms of References (TOR) under the overall administrative supervision of FAO Representative and operational supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (programme) in Nepal, the technical supervision of FAO RAP-AFS and in collaboration with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and team of project’s national consultants.

Reporting Lines

The training expert will directly report monthly/regular activities to the National Lead consultant and NPC of the project. The expert will submit periodic and end-of-assignment report including training report compiling training materials, list of participants, key discussion points and conclusions to the lead consultant of the project, and the lead consultant will obtain required technical clearance from the Lead Technical Officer. By the end of the project, FAO country office, will submit final reports to the NPC of the project of the Government.

Technical Focus

The training expert primarily will engage in facilitating the small holder farmers in testing, validation and adoption of the best practices on agro-ecosystem services to address the gaps on pollination, natural control, nutrient recycling, soil microbiology and symbiosis through the FFS approach. More specifically, the technical support will focus on promotion and conservation of agro-ecosystem services that defines the roles and responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, and provides suitable incentives and technical capacity to the farmers, agriculture researchers and extension workers.

Tasks and responsibilities
 
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative of Nepal and direct technical supervision and guidance of  Lead Technical officer of RAP-AFS in close coordination with project team and the national project coordinator of the Government, the incumbent will be responsible to carry out the following tasks: 

• Design and develop curricula and training materials on natural control, pollination management and management and conservation of agro-ecosystem services for TOT designed to develop Master trainers among the selected Government officials;
• Develop training modules, curricula and resource materials for the field based trainings on the importance of natural control, pollination and agro-ecosystem services, diversity and population maintenance of natural enemies, pollinators and beneficial microbes for sustainable crop production;
• Facilitate in design and implementation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) with focus on testing and validation of best practices on agro-ecosystem services contributing to sustainable crop production;
• Develop/adapt Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for sustainable crop production, record keeping and traceability;
• Organize cascade trainings on agro-ecosystem services and provide follow up support to the Farmers Groups for sustainable crop production and management and conservation of the natural enemies, natural pollinators and beneficial microbes;
• Strengthen Community Resource Centers for mini lab operation, production of bio-botanical materials and bio-agents through providing training  and observation visits;
• Assist to the TCDC and lead consultants on completing their tasks and prepare detailed end-of-assignment report including training reports with compilation of training materials, list of participants, key discussion points and conclusions.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

• National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal;
• Advanced University degree (Master Degree) in Agriculture or related biological sciences with emphasis on some of the following: Agro-ecology, ecology, and sustainable agriculture;
• At least 10 years of working experience in the relevant field with emphasis on agro-ecological approaches and practices that contribute to sustainable agricultural production system with particular focus on small holder farmers;
• Proven knowledge on design and implementation of Farmers’ Field School (FFS) will be desirable;
• Working knowledge of English both in written and spoken

FAO Core Competencies 

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

Technical / Functional Skills 

• The expert shall have competency and demonstrated practical relevant experience in design and implementing Farmer Field School (FFS) and agro-ecosystem based trainings focusing on natural control, pollination and agro-ecosystem services, and diversity and population maintenance of natural enemies, pollinators and beneficial microbesfor sustainable crop production. 

Selection Criteria  

• Extent of relevant technical experience in the areas related.
• Ability to manage and work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Experience in training methodology and conducting trainings.
• Involvements in design and delivery of said types of trainings.
• Good working knowledge on the subject.

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