National Tree Crop Policy Consultant

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Background

Since 1977, FAO has been operational in Liberia, and has made tremendous strides in fighting hunger and poverty. Assistance today is focused on revitalizing the agriculture sector, which is crucial for the consolidation of Liberia’s progress from post-conflict stabilization to sustainable economic development and food security. The main collaborating partners are the Ministries of Agriculture (MoA), the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

It is worth to mention that FAO supports the government in policy development and advocacy in the agriculture sector and sub- sectors, promotes production and productivity as well as improving value chains and sustainable natural resource management and utilization. Project implementations are geared towards building local capacity.

Despite this considerable support provided the tree crop sector with some tangible positive results, there are still challenges in designing and giving priority to policies that provide incentives for private sector investors and smallholder farmers to resuscitate the tree crop sector. In spite of the sector potential to contribute to poverty reduction, economic growth and holistic development, there limited interventions by the government of Liberia to addresses many other sectors in addition to the Tree Crop Sector. More importantly, the gaps created by more than a decade of civil conflict, Ebola epidemic and the current pandemic directly affects all sectors of life including the sector. Consequently, in the absence of the right policy framework and concrete interventions to revive the sector, smallholder farmers, the private sector and Liberia stand not to sustainably benefit from the sector. To address these ongoing challenges, FAO continues to provide support to the government of Liberia in policy development and advocacy in the agricultural sector and sub sectors.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of MOA, Policy Officer -FIRST Programme, The Country Representative and in close collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative for Programmes, FAO’s sub Regional Office for West Africa (SFW), and the EU Delegation in Liberia.

Technical Focus

Given the present state of play regarding the tree crop sector of Liberia the consultant shall endeavor to ensure the following:

• To outline the national vision for the development of the tree crops sector;
• To provide systematic guidance on investment and other interventions in the tree crops sector;
• To facilitate coordination, cooperation and partnership among stakeholders and actors in the tree crops sector;

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Develop a realistic National Tree Crops Policy (NTCP) that harness value addition and economic opportunities to ensure economic growth and inclusive development;
• Work closely with the MOA, FAO and relevant stakeholders the private sector to carry out Inception meeting of all actors of the nine (9) tree crops subsectors including relevant public institutions, private sector (within the tree crops value chain), development partners and NGOs;
• Carry out comprehensive analysis and include all the key tree crop sectors in policy formulation to reflect national realities and align policy with global outlook;
• Actively organize, participate and contribute to all meetings/workshops under MOA and FAO leadership and facilitate a very inclusive consultation process to develop and ensure that policy design and development is reflective of government priorities and programmes;
• Ensure that policy is aligned and coherent with PAPD, LASIP II and relevant SDG targets, indicators and other relevant targets under the Agenda 2030 and ECOWAS Vision 2014;
• Target specific policy goals specifying the expected outcomes and impacts as well as potential beneficiaries;
• Conduct out desk review and collect relevant data from GOL and key stakeholders in the sector and other related sectors with priority on sustaining and managing the sector to ensure economic gains;
• Collate recommendations that are in line with government priorities based on existing policies/strategies, as well as consultations with key partner ministries and agencies and incorporate them into the policy;
• Lead and conduct stakeholder meetings and internal consultations, and contribute to the preparation of the policy document;
• Involve relevant staff in the Government and civil society organizations in every step of the policy process to ensure collective participation and ownership;
• Prepare one policy brief and one concept note for resource mobilization to attract investment;
• Perform any other duties to ensure successful completion and validation of the policy with collective participation of all stakeholders.
• Any other task assigned by FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in forestry, policy development, Agriculture, international development studies, agriculture economics, investment planning, or closely related fields;
• Ten (10) years of relevant experience in policy planning & development, policy assessment and strategic studies, agriculture, programme development, or closely related field;

• Fluent in English and working knowledge of other UN languages
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Candidates should be nationals of Liberia.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively in a team, supports others and fosters a positive team environment.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication.
• Building Effective Relationships: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others