NATIONAL CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE SPECIALIST

The agricultural practices in Iraq in general are considered traditional practices. Conservation Agriculture for example, is a farming system that promotes maintenance of a permanent soil cover, minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), and diversification of plant species. It enhances biodiversity and natural biological processes above and below the ground surface, which contribute to increased water and nutrient use efficiency and to improved and sustained crop production. It is based on three fundamental principles of minimal soil disturbance through Zero Tillage (ZT), permanent organic soil cover and diversified crop rotations. Conservation agriculture in Iraq is new and limited to a few demonstration sites focusing on zero-tillage implementation and a few projects implemented by international development partners at the specific locations. At the same time, FAO broadly defines agroecology as “applying ecological concepts and principles to optimize interactions between plants, animals, humans and the environment while taking into consideration the social aspects that need to be addressed for a sustainable and fair food system. Agroecology is the basis for evolving food systems that are equally strong in environmental, economic, social and agronomic dimensions.”

For this, the Government of Iraq with support from FAO has secured funding from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) for a GEF6 project on Sustainable Land Management for Improved Livelihoods in Degraded Areas of Iraq.

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative being the Budget Holder (BH) of the project entitled “Sustainable Land Management for Improved Livelihoods in Degraded Areas of Iraq” and the technical guidance of FAO HQ, the CA specialist will undertake the implementation of the project components pertaining to the CA in the three governorates of southern Iraq.

He/she will work in close collaboration with the FAO Country Office, the PM and the staff of the project, in particular, the CA specialist, and be responsible for the overall technical supervision and coordination of all project activities related to the CA element.

The project aims to reverse land degradation processes, conserve and sustainably manage land and water resources in degraded marshland ecosystems in Southern Iraq for greater access to services from resilient ecosystems and improved livelihoods. The project has four expected results, which will be achieved through implementation of 12 project outputs. The incumbent will lead in particular the work that contributes to the achievement of project outcome 3 - Measures to restore and sustainably manage marshland ecosystems and he/she will contribute as well to the other three outcomes.

• Be responsible for, and ensure that all technical and coordination aspects and overall conservation agriculture (CA) activities is in accordance with FAO and GEF rules and procedures; that technical activities implemented within the project/CA are consistent with the Project’s Results Framework indicators and results-based management targets.
• Liaise with the three ministries for the implementation of the CA activities within the project;
• Coordinate with the local governments, the directorates of agriculture, water resources and environment where the project sites are located on the issues related to CA activities;
• Coordinate with the universities of Thi Qar, Muthana and Qadissyia on the issues related to CA activities;
• Establish and maintain working relations with appropriate national and local institutions (government and grass-roots organizations) to ensure effective implementation of project supported activities at national and local level;
• Support the design and implementation of a comprehensive CA training program. The capacity building effort will target the Ministry’s and other relevant stakeholders. Assist international technical teams to ensure training will expose decision-makers to best, internationally recognized CA principles and practices. The training programs will consist of at least three-days of intensive workshops using specifically developed training materials.
• Implement a series of training programs for key decision-makers representing national and project site level decision- makers, extension officers, and recognized farm leaders in each of the target communities. These training programs will be organized with support from the project management team.
• Coordinate efforts to make certain that capacity building in the CA is designed to target the delivery of global environmental benefits.
• Support the development and adoption of a policy framework to integrate the achievement of international and national agriculture and environmental objectives in collaboration with other technical leads;
• Assist government stakeholders in the design of CA strategies and actions plans by establishing a working group.
• Coordinate efforts to improve the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of government’s approach to supporting the realization of CA;
• Design and implement a Farmer Field School Programs. This will include an introduction to the suite of programs supported globally by FAO, including an introduction to training materials and module development;
• Support the design of business plans and value chains that incentivize improved agricultural practices. This will include an introduction to basic business planning and the results of FAO’s international suite of best practices;
• Ensure that in all above, gender issues, specifically related to women in agriculture, are integrated into all program activities. This will include an introduction to FAO’s programs specific to agriculture, livelihoods, quality of life, and women for relevant stakeholders.
• Participate in the development of a national conservation agriculture strategy and action plan to drive forward the CA in accordance to the project document.
• Support the LTO in preparation of the annual PIR.
• Support the design of the participatory project M&E system and overall management of the regular monitoring and review of the execution of the activities including\: (i) conduct regularly field M&E visits to project sites, which information will be included into the six-monthly PPRs; (ii) Assist the PM in the overall management of the project;
• Perform other related duties as required.

• Advanced University degree in agronomy, soil science or related fields with;
• At least 15 years of relevant experience in the area of conservation agriculture, farmer field schools, climate smart agriculture, with public or private sector institutions and international organizations;
• Arabic language and Working knowledge of English;
• National of Iraq.

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and level of academic qualification in Agriculture and/or Environmental Sciences;
• At least 15 years’ experience in project implementation, of which 10 years as project manager and demonstrated professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• Project management skills, covering the whole project management cycle;
• Knowledge of GEF projects;
• Assessment and analytical skills - experience with quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis and report writing;
• Excellent communications skill, both orally and in writing, on technical materials for audiences at different levels of technical expertise;
• Ability to work under pressure and to carry out several tasks in a timely fashion and under tight deadlines with minimum supervision;
• Courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.