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Opportunities

Capacity Development Consultant

Deadline

 

Within the framework of the Tropical Agriculture Platform (TAP), FAO is working with TAP partner organizations, the TAP Global Task Force and the TAP Capacity Development (CD) Expert Group, to foster greater coherence of capacity development in tropical agriculture and to strengthen interaction for more harmonized CD. The CD Expert Group brings together experts for the development of a common Framework on Capacity Development for Agricultural Innovation Systems. It will consist of a resourced core group of three experts and a wider group of experts from TAP Partners providing in-kind contributions.
 
To carry out preparatory work for the CD Expert Group, in particular the core experts, two consultancies are required. Under the guidance of a senior consultant, a junior consultant will be assigned to conduct a literature search, compile suitable resource materials and systematically review the existing material in relation to the following areas: Capacity Development (CD) for Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS), Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Impact Assessment of CD interventions and Information and Communication for Technologies (ICT) for knowledge sharing platforms. The compiled and reviewed material will serve as an input to the work of the core experts, who can complement the review and finalize it.
 
The assignment requires close communication with the parties involved in the development of the CD Framework for AIS: the TAP Partners that are part of the wider CD Expert Group, the TAP Global Task Force, the TAP Secretariat. The senior and junior consultants will be accountable to the TAP Global Task Force and FAO/TAP Secretariat for project progress.
 
Under the overall supervision of the Chief, of the Research and Extension Unit, and in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Officer and under the guidance of the senior consultant, the junior consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:
 
Tasks:
  • Compile resource materials on guidelines, approaches, tools and methodologies related to CD for AIS with a focus on CD needs assessment, M&E and impact assessment of CD interventions;
  • Compile resource materials on web-based information management and knowledge sharing systems;
  • Compile resource materials for advocacy and learning including validated approaches, evidence and case studies on all types of effective CD interventions in AIS, with special emphasis enhancing institutional and organizational capacities, promoting entrepreneurial behaviour and facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships with the private sector and civil society in AIS institutions, organizations and individuals;
  • Prepare a structured offline and online repository of compiled materials and upload the materials;
  • Review existing guidelines, approaches, tools and methodologies related to needs assessment and intervention design of CD for AIS in order to identify good practices and gaps;
  • Review lessons learned and existing M&E and impact assessment approaches in order to identify good practices and gaps to be filled;
  • Review existing web-based information management and knowledge sharing systems in order to identify good practices and gaps to be filled (as appropriate complement information with a few short and well-targeted interviews of some key experts);
  • Review studies and publications on the role of the enabling environment and institutional / organizational capacities as well as that of different actors in an agricultural innovation system (research, extension, education, civil society, private sector, policy-makers);
  • Consult the wider CD Expert Group for resource materials and for feedback on the review;
  • Support the Senior Consultant to report the review outcomes to the Global Task Force.

Key performance indicators

Expected Outputs:
Required Completion Date:
 
Deliverables:
  • Repository of compiled material (offline and online)
  • Draft review report (explanation of review method, overview of reviewed material, recommendations for the development of guidelines and tools under the CD Framework for AIS)
 
 
 
31 December 2014
 
6 February 2015

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

 
Advanced university degree or equivalent in agriculture, agricultural education, rural extension, rural development, with specific experience in  capacity development.
 
Technical competencies and Experience Requirements
 
The consultant should have:
  1. at least three years’ experience in enhanced capacity development (CD) practices (including needs assessment and design of CD interventions, preferably with understanding of monitoring capacity development);
  2. solid understanding of agricultural innovation systems;
  3. working experience in capacity development for innovation systems would be an asset;
  4. demonstrated ability to interact with other team members;
  5. strong analytical and excellent writing skills.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants are required to create an online Personal Profile Form (PPF) in FAO iRecruitment. To create the PPF, please follow the instructions available at:http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/
 
Indicating the job ID given above, the PPF should be sent via e-mail to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
 
Deadline for application: 14 September 2014
 
Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.