Myanmar: National IPM and FFS Specialist

May 3, 2020 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.

Organizational Setting

In the Central Dry Zone (CDZ) of Myanmar, nearly 25 percent of the population is below the national poverty line and about 50 percent are landless. The lack of livelihoods in the region is the key driver of poverty and has led to high incidence of malnutrition and food insecurity. To assist the Government of Myanmar to develop sustainable solutions to mitigate the situation in the CDZ, FAO is delivering technical assistance as part of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Programme (GAFSP). The technical assistance is focused on (i) Good Agricultural Practices, (ii) Household Nutrition Promotion, (iii) Monitoring and Evaluation, and (iv) Off-Farm Employment. The theory of change of the project is based on the fundamental premise that a market-driven approach is needed to help smallholder farmers sustainably increase their income and improve their livelihoods, food security and nutrition). To this end, FAO Myanmar is seeking a national expert to assist the international consultant on GAP, and take a lead improvement/upgrading of FFS curriculum, IPM packages. The national expert is expected to co-facilitate the capacity building of agriculture extension staff, community extension workers and lead farmers through ToTs/ToF for successful rollout of improved techniques and practices at villages’ level. S/he will assist in the implementation of overall Technical Assistance (TA) package related to Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in assisting the International Climate Smart GAP Expert in Myanmar. S/he will work in consultation with Assistant FAOR (Programme) and collaborate with GAFSP Team Leader in Myanmar and key governmental counterparts including the Project Director of the PMU and other implementing partners. S/he will assist the International Climate Smart GAP Expert in successful development/standardization of climate smart GAPs and associated responsibilities. Technical guidance will be provided by the Lead Technical Officer from the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be assisting the International Expert on GAP but will be taking a lead role on FFS materials/manuals and crop specific IPM packages development. H/She will be closely working with Department of Agriculture (DoA), Department of Research (DAR) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Irrigation (MoALI) at Union, Regional and Township levels for the assignment. H/She  will also keep close liaison and coordination  with other Collaborative Departments, Lead Farmers and  Seed Growers Associations, Farmers Development Organizations, Private Input Dealers, Value Chain Actors and Market Players and NGOs, INGOs assisting engaged in GAP promotion and strengthening at union, regional and township level;

Tasks and responsibilities:

  • Conduct a comprehensive review and analysis of the existing FFS modules/training materials and IPM packages used by various relevant organizations in close collaboration and consultation with relevant departments, farmers, NGOs and INGOs;
  • Develop FFS manuals (one for DoA extension staff and one for lead farmers) and IPM packages through participatory revisions and upgradation in line with principles, practices and technologies of climate smart technologies/practices;
  • Ensure that IPM (Integrated Pest Management) packages and FFS manuals are developed both in English & Myanmar languages and in a pictorial, graphic, illustrative and understandable way including short video clips for use in field days, FFS sessions and farmers group meetings;
  • Facilitate the international expert in conducting field-based problem analysis and validation of the existing GAPs;
  • Support the international expert in conducting farmers FGDs, KII (Key Informant Interviews) and Semi Structured Interviews (SSI) as well as meetings with the relevant government line departments for better harmonization and complementarities in GAPs promotion in Myanmar.
  • Assist international expert in analysis of the existing GAPs implementation mechanisms at institutional, producers/farmers, value chain and marketing level, identify gaps/weaknesses and suggest measures for efficient quick-wins in effective promotion and upscaling of GAPs;
  • Assist the International Expert in assessing the capacity of government agricultural extension workers and lead farmers for knowledge and technical skills related to GAPs implementation and develop strategies and action plan for GAPs specific capacity development;
  • Help the international expert in arranging ToTs (Training of Trainers) for the lead farmers and agriculture extension workers on improved GAP and lead it (ToT/ToF) for crop specific FFS curriculum and IPM methodologies/packages for successful rollout at village(s) level;
  • Assist the international expert in the compilation of recommendations for further strengthening, promotion expansion (horizontal and vertical) and upscaling of the target GAP crops;
  • Participate in any other activity contributing to project outcomes/outputs;

Requirements:

Minimum Requirements

  • Master or Ph.D Degree in Agriculture, specialized in entomology /plant pathology
  • At least an overall of 10 years’ progressive experience of designing and implementation of crops productivity enhancement and farmers capacity building program.
  • Of the total 10 years of experience, at least 7 years must be specifically related to the experience in planning and implementation of FFS and IPM based community projects/program.
  • Myanmar National
  • Working knowledge of English.

Selection Criteria

  • Expertise in IPMs, and FFS related to oil seed, pulses and rice crops;
  • Experience of working in Central Dry Zone; 
  • Experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, from community level to ministerial staff.
  • Experience in developing climate smart FFS curriculum, manuals/handbooks, training materials and guidelines for IPMs and GAPs.

Additional Selection Criteria

  • Relevant advanced degree
  • Experience of designing, planning and implementation of projects/programs with special focus on IPMs, and FFS with NGOs, INGOs, UN agencies;
  • Technical expertise in oilseed crop, pulses and rice GAPs;
  • Sound knowledge and experience of conducting ToTs and strategies for training dissemination/rollout;
  • Good knowledge of climate smart techniques in FFS and IPM approaches
  • Proven capacity and experience in, IPM, & FFS and working with farmers and government agencies;
  • Good Computer Skills (Word, Excel, email, Power Point)

Additional Information

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

How to Apply

  • Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
  • We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
  • If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org