Information on vacancy |
Period of publication |
23.05.2025 - 06.06.2025 |
Field of activity / position: |
Agriculture, irrigation / Master |
Duties |
Position holder will be located at Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Uzbekistan and report to Ministry
Background: The Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program aims to promote sustainable food production and responsible commodity value chains at a global scale. Supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), this program operates across 27 countries, including Uzbekistan. The program focuses on integrated landscape management (ILM), sustainable agricultural practices, and restoring natural habitats to improve ecosystem services and contribute to climate resilience. In Uzbekistan, the FOLUR project is centered around improving wheat production systems, fostering crop diversification, and restoring degraded lands. With a strong emphasis on International Community-driven approaches, the project seeks to enhance the livelihoods of farmers, improve food security, and support national efforts to meet global climate and sustainability goals. Through the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, the project promotes sustainable wheat value chains, ecosystem restoration, and the empowerment of rural communities, especially women and youth. The initiative is also aligned with Uzbekistan's national strategies to promote sustainable agriculture, reduce land degradation, and combat climate change. In this project, Component 2 of the FOLUR Impact Program in Uzbekistan focuses on promoting sustainable food production practices across wheat-based landscapes and developing responsible commodity value chains. The goal is to demonstrate sustainable agricultural practices on 300,000 hectares of both irrigated and rain-fed lands. This component is designed to address the environmental and productivity challenges faced by Uzbekistan's wheat sector, which is a critical commodity for the country's food security and rural livelihoods. Component 2 aims to improve the productivity and sustainability of wheat production through climate-smart agriculture, conservation practices, and crop diversification. Objective: The International Community Development Expert will play a crucial role in ensuring that local communities are actively engaged in all project components. By fostering participatory approaches, the expert will help align International Community needs with the overall goals of the FOLUR project, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and contributing to the empowerment of local stakeholders. Scope of Work International Community Engagement and Mobilization oDevelop and implement a strategy for engaging local communities in ecosystem restoration activities. oFacilitate International Community participation in identifying key areas for restoration and conservation. oPromote inclusive engagement, ensuring the active participation of women, youth, landless, and other marginalized groups. Training and Capacity Building oOrganize training programs for 300 International Community members (50% women) on ecosystem restoration techniques, plant identification, seed collection/multiplication, and sustainable land management (SLM) practices. oDevelop training modules on Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), nature-based solutions, and sustainable agricultural practices. oCoordinate with local authorities to identify suitable training sites and nurseries for practical sessions. Implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) Models oIdentify opportunities for implementing PES schemes to incentivize ecosystem restoration among International Community members. oWork with stakeholders to ensure that the PES schemes are inclusive and benefit vulnerable groups. oMonitor and evaluate the effectiveness of PES models in enhancing ecosystem services and supporting livelihoods.
Developing Benefit-Sharing Models oStudy international and national models for benefit-sharing from ILM between communities and other stakeholders. oPilot at least two gender-responsive benefit-sharing models, ensuring they benefit at least 300 people. oCollect and analyze data on the impact of benefit-sharing models, documenting lessons learned and best practices. Promoting Alternative Livelihoods oIdentify and support the development of alternative livelihoods for International Community members engaged in activities that threaten ecosystems. oFacilitate training for women entrepreneurs in business management, marketing, and value-adding options within selected value chains (e.g., dairy and horticulture). oPromote and showcase success stories of alternative livelihoods through project events and awards. Restoration and Sustainable Management of Ecosystems oDevelop and implement activities to restore degraded ecosystems and habitats across 50,000 ha, using a range of mechanisms such as PES, Public-Private-International Community Partnerships (PPPP), and co-financing collaborations. oEnsure restoration efforts align with the "avoid, reduce, restore" hierarchy as part of the Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) framework. oWork with local communities to map biophysical elements, such as key habitat and biodiversity areas, to support sustainable management practices. Knowledge Sharing and Reporting oDocument and disseminate lessons learned, best practices, and case studies on International Community engagement, benefit-sharing, and ecosystem restoration. oContribute to the development of at least two WOCAT (World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies) articles for global dissemination. oPrepare periodic reports on progress, challenges, and recommendations for adaptive management. Collaboration with other Experts within the FOLUR Project: oCollaborates with Data Management Expert (M&E) responsible for Component 4 (monitoring and evaluation) to measure project impact. oCollaborates with Conservation Agriculture Experts (FFS/APFS/SLM facilitators) for training exercises, workshops, and support in logistics. oCollaborates with ILM Planning & Development Experts to ensure integration of gender focal points in land-use planning. oCollaborates with Knowledge Management Expert (Communications/Advocacy) for document and promote project results, to gather data, case studies, and outputs from different components for communication and advocacy purposes. oCollaborates with International International Community Development FFS Expert in field school methodology. oIf actual issues related to the effective achievement of project goals are identified, International Community Development Expert collaborates with all Experts of the FOLUR Project.
Expected outputs and responsibilities across 4 components of the FOLUR project Component 1: Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) for Sustainable Wheat Systems Output 1.1.3: Capacity development program initiated for stakeholders involved in wheat and wheat landscape value chains, including inclusive and participatory training sessions. Output 1.1.4: Policy briefs and advocacy materials prepared to raise awareness of International Community perspectives in decision-making processes.
Responsibilities: Facilitate International Community engagement and capacity-building initiatives that enhance participation in ILM strategies. Organize and lead participatory meetings and workshops with local communities to ensure their voices are included in landscape management decisions. Collaborate with government and local authorities to align International Community needs with national policies on sustainable wheat systems.
Component 2: Promotion of Sustainable Food Production and Responsible Commodity Value Chains Output 2.1.1: Formation or capacity-building of producer organizations and Wheat Clusters to implement sustainable wheat production practices. Output 2.1.3: Training programs developed to improve management practices among International Community members, with a focus on sustainability.
Responsibilities: Support the establishment of International Community-led producer organizations and facilitate their capacity-building. Conduct training sessions for local farmers on sustainable agricultural practices and value chain development, ensuring inclusive participation. Engage with women and youth to promote their involvement in sustainable food production initiatives.
Component 3: Conservation and Restoration of Natural Habitats Output 3.1.1: International Community engagement initiatives focused on ecosystem restoration and conservation practices. Output 3.1.3: Development of models that demonstrate alternative livelihoods for communities involved in conservation efforts.
Responsibilities: Facilitate International Community-based workshops that educate participants on the importance of conservation and the benefits of sustainable practices. Develop and promote alternative livelihood opportunities that align with conservation goals, ensuring International Community buy-in and participation. Collaborate with environmental experts to integrate International Community feedback into restoration strategies.
Component 4: Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation Output 4.1.2: Knowledge products developed to share lessons learned from International Community engagement efforts in sustainable agriculture and landscape management. Output 4.1.4: A communication strategy that incorporates International Community perspectives and successes.
Responsibilities: Document and share best practices and success stories from International Community development activities. Work with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to ensure that International Community perspectives are included in project assessments and reporting. Develop communication materials that highlight the contributions and feedback from local communities to foster transparency and accountability.
Expected Outputs
Deliverables A comprehensive International Community engagement and mobilization plan. Training curriculum and modules on ecosystem restoration, SLM, ILM, and nature-based solutions. Two gender-responsive and inclusive benefit-sharing models piloted and documented. Report on PES implementation and impact on ecosystem restoration and International Community livelihoods. Case studies and success stories of alternative livelihoods documented and shared. At least two WOCAT articles published based on project experiences and results. Regular progress reports submitted to the project management team. Timeline: within 15.9 months from the Effective Date of the Consultancy Agreement |
Requirements to the candidate |
Age: |
Irrelevant |
Gender: |
Irrelevant |
Residence: |
Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
Education: |
Higher |
Professional requirements |
Minimum requirements Applicants must answer the following: Qualifications and Experience Advanced degree in International Community Development, Social Sciences, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. At least 7 years of experience in International Community development, capacity building, and participatory approaches in environmental or agricultural projects. Proven experience in implementing Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes, benefit-sharing models, or alternative livelihood programs. Strong understanding of sustainable land management (SLM), Integrated Landscape Management (ILM), and ecosystem restoration techniques. Demonstrated experience in working with diverse communities, including women, youth, and marginalized groups. Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing skills. Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data analysis software. Fluency in Uzbek is required; knowledge English is an advantage, (knowledge of Russian can be taken into consideration). Competencies: Proven ability to apply gender analysis frameworks and tools to program design and implementation. Strong commitment to promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural settings. Ability to manage multiple tasks, work independently, and meet deadlines. Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan Site visits: Project locations Karakalpakstan, Khorezm and Kashkadarya |
Working conditions |
Region |
Tashkent |
Employment |
Full |
Salary offered |
TBD |
Additional information |
Additional information: |
Reporting The International Community Development Expert will report to the Team Leader of Component 2 of the FOLUR Impact Program in Uzbekistan and work in close collaboration with the Project Management Unit (PMU), district authorities, and technical experts. |
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Personal account |
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