Programme Policy Officer (Agricultural Technology) CST I

Reporting to the Head of the Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Building (CCARB) with the overall guidance of the WFP Tajikistan Head of Programme, the incumbent is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:  

Project Implementation 

• Contribute towards the general management of the project, and support in planning and implementing the project, plans and processes, in alignment with WFP’s policies and guidance. 

• Support the inception activities, develop annual workplan, implementation modality, staffing structure, and selection of cooperating partners.   

• Liaise with stakeholders (including government entities, cooperating partners) for formation and strengthening of technical working groups, develop training modules and facilitate demonstrations of best practices, development and dissemination of key components of the project.  

• Facilitate linkages of smallholder farmers and organizations to various markets, advisory services, governmental or private sector stakeholders, financial institutions, etc. 

• Assist in formulation of best practices in agriculture, especially as relates to innovative and technological approaches, relevant to the Tajikistan context but bringing in relevant global perspectives and examples. 

• Develop a list of equipment and materials with detailed technical specifications and cost estimates for various infrastructure/assets required for agri-tech in different contexts (e.g., energy sources available, communication services available, etc.) to support procurement processes. 

• Support research/assessment and support in developing relevant peace/gender/social inclusion activities targeting communities in relation to cross-cutting issues in Tajikistan.  

Communication and reporting   

• Establish networks and partnerships with academia and private sector stakeholders, research institutes to further project goals and ensure the latest innovations are being considered. 

• Serve as main liaison to the project steering committee(serving as secretariate) and UN agencies, international financial institutions, nongovernmental organizations, and other development partners to engage in complementary initiatives and facilitate information sharing. 

• Coordinate with field offices and the Communication, Advocacy, and Marketing unit to develop success stories, fact sheets, information packets, social media posts, mass media pieces, and other advocacy and information sharing materials for a wide range of audiences as relates to the project, ensuring donor visibility at all points; 

• Ensure all project team members, including self, conduct regular field visits for capacity development, oversight, and general knowledge gathering/sharing and provide concise back-to-the-office reports following such visits.  

Monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting.  

• Contribute to manage budget implementation and expenditure plans, tracking actual expenditures, and provide updates through the resource management committee forum, highlighting shortages and status of progress, and providing recommendations. 

• Hold regular meetings and/or use other innovative and effective ways to ensure proper information sharing and communication with the team/staff members.  

• Collaborate with WFP’s research, analysis, and monitoring (RAM) team for development of M&E plan, establish baseline, mid-term evaluation. 

• Ensure the preparation of accurate and timely reports (especially using primary data from monitoring) on project activities that enable informed decision making and consistency of information. 

Cross-Cutting 

• Support the implementation of the WFP Tajikistan Country Strategic Plan by ensuring cross-cutting efforts such as nutrition-sensitivity, gender, and diversity inclusion (including disability), protection and accountability, and linkages with other activities are integrated into the project. 

• Coordinate with WFP’s community-feedback mechanims (CFM) unit for ensuring strong community feedback system is implemented in the project.

Education: 

Advanced University degree in development studies or other fields related to international development or First University Degree with additional years of related work experience and/or trainings/courses.  

Experience, Knowledge & Skills: 

• At least 3 years of experience in managing international development projects.  

• Knowledge in agricultural development and digital/modern technology in agriculture sector.  

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

Languages: 

Required fluency (level C) in oral and written English and Korean. Fluency in Tajik or Russian will be an advantage.