Position Title: National Consultant – Climate Smart Agriculture Expert
Contract Type: Personal Services Agreement
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya
Organizational unit: FAO Representation Office in Kenya
Duration: 40 days when actually employed to 31 July 2017
Eligible candidates: Kenyan Nationals
Anticipated Start Date: June 2017
Background
The Government of Kenya with technical support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO Kenya office) intends to submit a proposal preparation grant application request to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) by August 2017. The project preparation grant will be an input in to the main project proposal on Transforming Landscapes and Livelihoods in Kenya through a Water-Agriculture-Energy Nexus Approach. The full project to be developed on the basis of a Concept Note is slated to be implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MENR), Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MoALF), HIVOS, Ministry of Water and Irrigation, Greening Kenya Initiative Trust (GKIT), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), National Drought Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Health and the African Centre for Technologies Studies (ACTS).
The proposal is centered on the following specific objectives:
- Promote sustainable food and nutrition security using climate smart agricultural technologies in line with the recently launched Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy.
- Support market-based livelihood diversification through the development, promotion and upscaling of appropriate strategies.
- Promote Ecosystem-based management and Adaptation (EbA) in the conservation of the selected climate-sensitive yet economically significant water basins
- Upscale and stimulate the briquette sector to accelerate cleaner energy access, improve health and reduce deforestation.
- Strengthen knowledge management and learning.
The project responds to national priorities and includes the following three interlinked components:
Component 1: Increased adaptive capacity and enhanced resilience to climate change for small-scale rain-fed farmers in the three drainage basins (Food and Nutrition Security).
Component 2: Increased water security for agricultural, domestic, and industrial use for the inhabitants in the project sites.
Component 3: Transformation of the charcoal sector realized to accelerate cleaner energy access, improve health and reduce deforestation.
Therefore, the FAO has obtained some funds to hire a national consultant (Climate Smart Agriculture Expert) to support the formulation of a project preparation grant proposal. The consultant will work closely with a Multi-Focal Area Project Development Specialist as well as key technical officers in the proposed executing entities.
The Concept Note received early comments from the GCF Secretariat and the FAO. These comments, together with comments from the GCF Secretariat need to be addressed during the Project Preparation Grant application development and be reflected in the final consultancy output.
Reporting Line and Scope of the assignment
The FAO Representative in Kenya will provide overall strategic guidance. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Technical Coordinator for the Integrating Agriculture in National Adaptation Plans Project and the Programme Officer-Strategic Programme 2. The National Coordinator will be the primary contact for the consultant. The consultant will provide an update on a weekly basis with regard to progress.
The consultant will:
- Review current agricultural practices in the proposed project sites to identify short term and long-term options for Climate Smart Agriculture practices in the areas. This should form part of the situation analysis.
- Conduct a baseline assessment of the project sites document CSA practices and best promising approaches for potential upscaling/replication.
- Provide a thorough technical review of components 1 & 2 of the Concept Note in terms of the CSA approaches suggested and strengthen both components accordingly, in addition, review component 3 of the Concept Note to identify cross-component synergies and complementarities.
- Support the multi-focal area project development specialist ensuring that various sections of the PPF application template are adequately completed.
- Address CSA-related comments review comments from the GCF Secretariat and the FAO internal reviewers.
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced degree (PhD preferred) in agronomy, with experience in the development, use, and/or theory of climate smart agriculture practices.
- At least 15 years of experience in CSA practices.
- Extensive knowledge of soil nutrition, watersheds, and low-intensity irrigation.
- Ability to perform climate risk analysis of agricultural practices.
- Experience in designing of programs, preparing technical proposals, and developing methodologies related to integrated agricultural practices.
- Solid experience in value chain analysis, marketing strategies, and supply/demand evaluations.
Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building effective relationships
- Knowledge sharing and continuous Improvement
How to apply:
Candidates are requested to submit their application by email to [email protected] quoting the position title and vacancy announcement number.
A duly completed Personal Profile Form (PPF) generated from FAO’s IRecruitment portal as a PDF-file is to be submitted by email together with a cover letter. Please note that attached resumes or CV’s in place of the PPF will not be accepted.
In order to prepare a Personal Profile Form, you must first register on the FAO iRecruitment site by clicking on the following link to register: http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ In order for your application to be properly evaluated, please ensure that all sections of the on-line profile are completed.
Applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
This vacancy is open to both male and female candidates. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
