Specialist on Digital Agriculture

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Commonwealth of the Bahamas Government is making substantial efforts to promote inclusive economic growth (SDG 1 and 8) and increased food security (SDG 2) through the Digitization of The Bahamas’ agriculture sector. As part of these efforts, the Technical Cooperation Programme - TCP/BHA/3901 “Digital Village in Bahamas - Innovative mechanism to promote inclusive digital agriculture solutions in agrifood systems in Family Islands", will be executed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The objective of the project is to build the capacities of the Bahamian Government to create an enabling environment for the adoption of digital agricultural solutions for rural agricultural development, in first instance at the sub-national level (Family Islands). Assessing the feasibility of digital agricultural solutions is the first step. The project will work with the private sector to identify, implement and adapt digital agriculture solutions along targeted value chains identified by the Ministry of Agriculture. This public-private network will incorporate local alliances and agreements between stakeholders and will be reflected in the creation of Territorial Digital Centers. Subsequently a Digital Territorial Hub will be formed with the adoption of one (1) digital consulting service; one (1) agricultural and rural e-commerce platform; and one (1) digital financial service to be implemented within the cluster of rural communities.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative for Jamaica, Bahamas and Belize, the Digital Agriculture Specialist will support the National Programme Manager, the FAO Representative and the Assistant FAO Representative Programme Officer to deliver the expected Outcomes/Outputs for the TCP/BHA/3901 project.

Technical Focus

The Digital Agriculture Specialist is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the project implementation of activities related to digital agriculture solutions.

Tasks and responsibilities

● Assess and create digital agricultural solutions for the implementation of TCP/BHA/3901 and duties will include the following:

- Support the planning, implementing, training, monitoring and reporting in a timely and an efficient manner for:
(1) the Outcome: The Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs (MAMRFIA) approves and adopts agribusiness policy and a corresponding legislative framework to promote digital ecosystems to strengthen inclusive and resilient agriculture and agrifood systems and
(2) the Outputs 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3,, 4.1, 4.2 ,4.3
- Conduct a scoping mission to identify gaps within the sector and the need for capacity building, to encourage buy-in by stakeholders and determine best practices for training and adaptation within the communities related to digital agriculture.
- Produce feasibility analysis’ and provide key recommendations for digital agriculture solutions for agribusiness, fisheries, and agritourism to support the rural communities will be included in the analyses.
- Determine a framework for the establishment of the digital innovation ecosystem and sustainable functioning of three digital services for the identified cluster of rural communities: (1) digital consulting service; (2) agricultural and rural e-commerce platform; and (3) a digital financial service.
- Host a sensitization and validation workshop to generate awareness of the digital innovation services provided by the Digital Territorial Hub
- Organise a ‘proof-of-concept’ study tour to an existing digital village to enhance adoption of Digital Village concept at ministerial level
- Draft a strategy plan for the implementation of digital agricultural extensions services for the MAMRFIA. The strategy plan will complement the proposed digital innovation ecosystem and the three (3) identified digital services within the piloted digital territorial hub.
- Provide updates and seek consultations with public and private stakeholders, government departments and agencies.

● The Digital Agriculture Specialist will provide technical and operational support to the National Project Coordinator and activities designated by the FAO Representative in Bahamas aligned with the expected results of the TCP Project and the Bahamas Country Framework Programming (CPF) 2022-2026

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

● An advanced University degree in information technology management, digital information or related area.
● At least 5-year experience in project management and implementation.
● Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian). For PSA, working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

● An advanced knowledge in agriculture, natural resources management, climate change or a related area.
● Competent knowledge of agriculture technologies
● Capacity for analysis and synthesis, and ease of verbal and written communication.
● Experience in conducting participatory evaluations.
● Abilities to organize and facilitate workshops and technical meetings.
● Experience working in multidisciplinary and leadership teams.
● Experience in conflict resolution and inter-institutional coordination.
● Ease of working for results with limited supervision.
● Proactive attitude.
● Ability to organize time effectively and perform various tasks in a systematic manner.
● Abilities to apply participatory methodologies and tools, teamwork, results-based management and document writing.
● Ability to read and manage a large number of documents for the production of products and results.
● Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations with various target audiences.
● Excellent written and oral communication skills.
● Facilitation and coordination skills.
● Strategic advice.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency