International FFS Implementation Specialist (community organization and M&E)

In the context of the activities implemented with Farmer Field Schools (FFS) in Angola, FAO will provide a technical assistance to the Governenment of Angola, in the context of the project\: UTF / ANG / 064 / ANG “Technical Support for SADCP-CH-SAMAP (Smallholders Agriculture Development and Commercialization Project in Cuanza Sul and Huila) Farmer Field Schools Capacity Building and Implementation”, in the implementation of the Output 1.1\: Smallholders farmers’ technical organisational and managerial competences improved. The target expected is to train 30.000 farmers (750 FFS), in three years.

The project will aim to “Diversify the economy, generate revenue and improve livelihoods and food security of poorer households”. It is expected to reach 30.000 farmers through the establishment of 750 FFS by increasing smallholder agriculture productivity, production and marketing for selected crops in the intervention areas. The Project will contribute to promote sustainable agriculture and Food and Nutrition Security (FNS), in accordance with FAO's national priority agenda. A more sustainable and inclusive agricultural sector that protects biodiversity will help mitigate the effects of climate change and will play an important role in eradicating poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition.

Under these premises FAO Angola plans to recruit an International FFS Implementation Specialist (community organization and M&E).

Reporting Lines

Under the supervision and advice of the CTA, the FFS Specialist will lead planning and implementation of FFS monitoring system, in regular coordination with the provincial counterpart.. He/she will be responsible to technically advice and support the government counterpart’s monitoring and evaluation of the FFS program. He/she will also ensure capacity building of M&E national staff.

The International expert will be responsible, but not limited, to supporting the FFS implementation in the following tasks and duties\:

• Conduct training of a multidisciplinary core group of Master Trainers in sustainable land management tools and technologies and FFS approaches
• Collaborate with FFS Facilitators in conducting a community dialogue. The community dialogue will set the basis for the concepts and principles of FFS and it will help towards the selection of the community Facilitator in each area; the process is necessary to select the communities that will initiate the FFS process.
• Support the establishment of FFS and support the development of the community action plans. The expert will support the project team to select appropriate service providers from newly established or reinforced civil society organizations that will support FFS;
• Provide technical assistance and training to FAO’s implementing partners in the formulation, coordination, guidance, supervision and implementation of FFS;
• Prepare the curricula for the Training of Trainers and FFS, through a consultative process with all project stakeholders;
• Prepare education materials for FFS in the improved production technologies of key food crops as well as commercially viable crops in the project areas.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation system of the FFS for the assigned project. This includes ensuring up to date progress aligning the FFS indicators to that of the LogFrame.
• Be directly responsible for designing and implementing methodologies and tools for data collection and analysis (household surveys, community and key informants interviews, focus group discussions, etc);
• Identify monitoring and evaluation capacity building needs for government and other stakeholders of the project at provincial and district levels, regarding FFS
• Provide training and supervision of M&E staff such as enumerators, data processors, analysts, etc. and ensures data quality control at provincial, district and camp levels involved in monitoring and evaluation;
• Be directly responsible for development of work plans for external and internal assessments, monitoring and evaluation exercises;
• Lead preparation of regular/periodic implementation progress reports, development of information products to support decision making during project progress review exercise and contribute to preparation of advocacy material under the project;
• Liaise with M&E Expert in Luanda ensure timely data analysis and reporting of results;
• Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by management from time to time

• Support creation of synergies with other FAO projects linked with FFSs.
• Support the identification, documentation and dissemination of good practices at different levels
• Provide technical advice and assistance to the mid-term and final evaluations of the project in the component of FFS curriculum implementation

• Advanced university degree in a field related to economy, social sciences, agronomy sciences, rural development, food sciences, environment management, international relations and cooperation, development and/or other relevant fields;
• At least 5 years of experience (for Category B) and 10 years of experience (for Category A) in international cooperation, rural development projects, with local communities and/or in the agricultural sector
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian).

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

• Extent and relevance of experience in monitoring project
• Extent and relevance of experience in project management and in particular results-based management
• Demonstrated previous experience working with farmers field schools or similar extension approach
• Familiarity with FAO strategic objectives and their alignment with SDGs
• Knowledge of FAO’s project management systems is an asset.

Additional Selection Criteria

• Knowledge of Portuguese is strongly recommended
• Experience in more than one location and, in particular, in Portuguese speaking countries, including Angola, will be an asset.