International Coffee Expert

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JOB TITLE: International Coffee Expert 
TYPE OF CONTRACT: International Consultancy (Level II) (WAE)
UNIT/DIVISION: Programme
DUTY STATION (City, Country): Bhutan + Remote
DURATION: 89 Days (60-70% time required for field mission in Bhutan)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT: 
Background

The project Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture (BRECSA) is being implemented across four Dzongkhags (Districts) - Sarpang, Tsirang, Trongsa, and Zhemgang. The project aims to benefit 12,074 farmer households (47,088 beneficiaries), of which 60% are women, 30% youth, and 600 persons with disabilities. BRECSA seeks to transform Bhutan’s agrifood system into a resilient, competitive, and forward-looking sector, while also creating opportunities for private sector operators to expand their services, and to create an ecosystem of new services linked to agroecological farming that also incorporates an export orientation. The project is structured around three inter-connected components: 
1. Resilient production systems.
2. Strengthened Value Chain Coordination and Market Linkages; and 
3. Innovative and Competitive Agri-food Sector. 

BRECSA facilitates the transformation of the agricultural sector in Bhutan through adopting a climate-resilient, nutrition-sensitive, and commercially oriented approach. Zhemgang, one of the four target Dzongkhags, has demonstrated a potential for coffee production with elevations ranging from 150 – 2,200 meters above mean sea level, and over 4,900 acres of fallow land suitable for expansion. Current efforts under BRECSA and the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector have resulted in over 228 acres already under coffee cultivation, involving 563 households across 28 villages. Zhemgang’s five-year coffee plantation plan targets over 1,881 acres cumulatively by 2028, with structured yearly expansion and estimated future yields reaching 17,977 MT. The origin and varieties of the coffee cultivars planted in Zhemgang, however, are not clearly backed by research and people are uncertain about the coffee value chain, including the quality of beans. Therefore, to expand coffee cultivation several areas (listed below) require attention to develop a holistic, sustainable, and robust coffee sector in Bhutan. 

Uncertainty on existing coffee varieties, including the desirable quality attributes, yield,  biotic and abiotic stress resistance of current planted coffee cultivars.
● Uncertainty of marketability of current coffee cultivars.
● Absence of a package of practices and research protocols.
● Challenges associated with production models and coffee management practices, Lack of a coordinated value-chain model and inadequate post-harvest systems.

● Lack of a market-oriented pilot testing before scaling

● Ambiguous roles among stakeholders (government, private sector, development partners)

To address these gaps, a Coffee Technical Working Group (C-TWG) has been formed to facilitate identification of existing coffee cultivars being promoted by Zhemgang Dzongkhag to date, guide introduction of suitable and potential coffee cultivars to facilitate timely designing and piloting of 
introduced coffee cultivars on a permaculture model (50 acres), The trial or on-site piloting of the introduced coffee cultivars will enable project to fast-track varietal screening and creation of a viable coffee production model. This will provide a robust foundation for a structured scale-up of 
the coffee sub-sector in BRECSA landscape Dzongkhags and beyond.

Objectives
The broad objective of this international consultancy is to provide technical assistance to assess and ascertain existing coffee varieties and enhance production systems, guide varietal selection and establish on-station and on-farm coffee trials and provide evidence-based recommendations to inform structured scale-up of coffee in Zhemgang Dzongkhag and beyond.

Specific Objectives

The specific objectives are to:
1. Assess, characterize, and document existing coffee genetic resources/varieties cultivated in Bhutan, including their adaptation, productivity, quality attributes, and suitability across different agroecological zones.
2. Develop scientifically validated packages of practices and recommended management guidelines for coffee production under Bhutanese conditions.
3. Identify and recommend suitable coffee varieties, including high-value coffee to meet the demand from the Gelephu Mindfulness City demand and for export, in the future.
4. Identify potential agroecological zones for sustainable coffee expansion in Bhutan, with particular focus on Zhemgang and other high-potential coffee-growing areas.
5. Develop national protocols and guides for coffee germplasm characterization, varietal evaluation, performance testing, to support future coffee improvement and variety development efforts in Bhutan.
6. Develop an operational framework for the establishment and management, and varietal evaluations, both on-farm and on-station research and demonstration trials of the recommended varieties in Zhemgang.
7. Design and impart tailored capacity development to extension, researchers, Sanam Jabchorpas (SJs) and selected producers.
8. Develop holistic cultivation practices and develop clear way forward for coffee development in Zhemgang and rest of the country.

Reports to: The Expert shall report administratively to the Programme Manager, WFP, and technically to the Chair, Coffee TWG. The PMU team, led by the Technical Assistance (TA) Team Leader and the Agriculture Component Manager, together with the researchers from ARDC Samtenling, will facilitate, coordinate, and collaborate closely with the International Coffee Expert throughout the assignment. Upon completion of the assignment, the expert shall report the outcomes of the assignment to the Coffee TWG for review and approval.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES (not all-inclusive, nor exhaustive): 
1. Identification, sourcing, and recommendation of suitable and high-value coffee varieties for Bhutan, including varieties for immediate introduction and evaluation under different agroecological conditions, by the end of June 2026.

2. Assessment, characterization, and documentation of existing coffee genetic resources and varieties cultivated in Bhutan, particularly in Zhemgang and Sarpang, through field assessments during both vegetative (June-July 2026) and reproductive phases (November 2026). 

3. Development of scientifically validated research protocols for coffee germplasm characterization, varietal evaluation, performance testing, and variety release suitable for Bhutanese conditions by July 2026. 

4. Development of evidence-based packages of practices and best management guidelines for sustainable coffee production under Bhutanese conditions, including nursery management, planting systems, nutrition, shade management, pest and disease management, soil and water conservation, harvesting, and post-harvest handling, and processing. 

5. Development of a research protocol and package of practices for the establishment onstation and on-farm trials by July. Characterization and identification of existing coffee  varieties in Zhemgang and Sarpang once during vegetative phase in June to July, and another during the reproductive phase in November 2026.

6. Development of holistic coffee cultivation practices for promotion within the project landscape Dzongkhags and beyond.

7. Design and provide tailored, onsite capacity development to researchers, extension, SJs and selected producers on agro-ecological farming systems-based coffee cultivation practices by the end of TA.

8. Fieldwork in Bhutan is expected to take about 60-70% of the of assignment duration, to conduct fieldwork in key stages of crop research—vegetative, reproductive, and harvesting phases.

DELIVERABLES:
1. Technical report and recommended list of coffee varieties for introduction, evaluation, and future expansion, including justification based on adaptation, productivity, quality attributes, and suitability for Bhutanese agroecological zones. 
2. Comprehensive coffee germplasm characterization report and inventory database, including varietal identification, distribution, agronomic performance, adaptation characteristics, yield potential, quality attributes, and constraints.

3. National coffee research protocol manual covering germplasm characterization, varietal evaluation methodologies, performance testing procedures, data collection standards, and guidelines for future variety release and improvement programs. 

4. Develop National Coffee Package of Practices (PoP) and Best Management Practices (BMP) Manuals, providing scalable technical guidance for coffee cultivation and extension programs across Bhutan. 

5. Comprehensive on-station and on-farm coffee research and demonstration strategy, including site development plan, experimental design, varietal evaluation strategy, management protocols, monitoring indicators, and implementation roadmap. 

6. Tailored onsite capacity development for researchers, extension staff, Sanam Jabchorpas (SJs), and selected producers on agroecological coffee cultivation practices and the package of practices; at least two training courses with each training duration of 5 days (production & post-production aspects)

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: 

Education: 

Master's Degree or Higher in the field of Agriculture Science/ Agronomy/ Horticulture/ Crop Science/ Soil Science/ Sustainable Agriculture or a related field.

Experience: 

● The International Coffee Expert should possess a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in coffee research, coffee agronomy, coffee varietal evaluation, and sustainable coffee production systems across diverse agroecological conditions and farming environments.

● The expert should demonstrate proven technical expertise in the identification, characterization, assessment, and evaluation of coffee varieties during both vegetative and reproductive growth stages, including suitability analysis for climate-resilient and agroecological production systems. 

● The Expert should possess substantial experience in the design and implementation of scientific field trials, experimental methodologies, research protocols, and evidence-based assessment approaches for perennial crops, particularly coffee, including demonstration and adaptive research systems. 

● Demonstrated practical experience in the establishment and management of coffee nurseries, plantation systems, and sustainable or agroecological coffee production models suitable for smallholder farming systems is required. 

● The Expert should have proven experience in the preparation and development of technical manuals, cultivation protocols, extension materials, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and knowledge products related to coffee cultivation, nursery management, and sustainable coffee production technologies. 

● The Expert should further demonstrate strong experience in conducting onsite technical capacity strengthening programmes, farmer trainings, training-of-trainers (ToT), technical coaching, and knowledge transfer initiatives for researchers, extension personnel, producer groups, 
cooperatives, and farming communities. 

● Prior professional experience working with government institutions, international organizations, research institutions, development partners, donor-funded agricultural programmes, or multilateral development agencies will be highly desirable. 

● Strong experience in promoting climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable coffee production systems, including shade-grown coffee, integrated nutrient management, soil and water conservation, agroforestry approaches, and sustainable land management practices, will be highly advantageous.

● Experience working in mountainous agroecological environments and climate-vulnerable landscapes comparable to Bhutan will be considered a strong asset. 

Professional Knowledge:

● The International Coffee Expert should possess strong technical and professional knowledge of sustainable coffee production systems, including coffee nursery establishment and management, varietal evaluation and suitability assessment, crop establishment, integrated 
nutrient and shade management, integrated pest and disease management, harvesting, post-harvest handling, quality assurance, and sustainable coffee value chain development.

● The Expert should further demonstrate sound understanding of agroecological and climate-resilient coffee production practices suitable for fragile mountain ecosystems and diverse agro-climatic conditions.

● The Expert should demonstrate sound knowledge of coffee varietal adaptation and performance in relation to elevation, rainfall variability, soil characteristics, climate risks, and changing environmental conditions, including the application of sustainable farming approaches such as 
agroforestry systems, integrated farming systems, soil and water conservation, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable land management practices. 

● In addition, the Expert should possess good knowledge of participatory extension approaches, farmer capacity-strengthening methodologies, community-based agricultural systems, and inclusive stakeholder engagement processes relevant to smallholder farming communities. 

● Practical understanding of market-oriented coffee production, quality improvement systems, value addition, and sustainable market development will be considered an added advantage.

● Familiarity with the agricultural systems, institutional frameworks, rural development priorities, and climate-resilient agriculture strategies of Bhutan, as well as experience working within mountain farming contexts comparable to Bhutan, will be highly desirable.

Skills and Competencies:

● The International Coffee Expert should possess strong technical expertise in coffee agronomy, coffee physiology, varietal selection and evaluation, and agroecological coffee production systems, with demonstrated competencies in scientific research design, field experimentation, performance assessment, data collection, analysis, and interpretation for evidence-based decision-making. 

● The Expert should further demonstrate strong practical skills in analytical methodologies, technical facilitation, mentoring, training delivery, and technical writing, including the ability to develop practical and context-specific recommendations, protocols, and extension approaches suitable for smallholder and mountain farming systems. 

● In addition, the Expert should possess strong stakeholder coordination, partnership-building, teamwork, and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage government institutions, research organizations, development partners, extension personnel, producer groups, and farming communities in the implementation of sustainable coffee development initiatives. 

● Sound knowledge and practical understanding of climate-smart agriculture, agroecological production systems, sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate-resilient agricultural approaches relevant to sustainable coffee sector development are essential. 

● General knowledge of World Food Programme programmes, technical assistance mechanisms, and integrated food systems approaches, as well as familiarity with the scope, objectives, and priorities of the BRECSA Project, will be considered an added advantage.

Languages: English fluency (written and spoken)

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