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 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. Objectives The objective of the International Wheat Agriculture Policy Expert is to provide high-level policy advisory and technical support for the development, review, and implementation of agriculture and land-use policies related to wheat production in Uzbekistan. The expert will ensure that Uzbekistan's wheat production systems are aligned with global best practices, sustainable value chains, and climate-smart agriculture principles, while fostering international collaboration. Scope of Work Policy Review and Development Review existing wheat-related agricultural policies in Uzbekistan and align them with international standards for sustainable wheat production, climate resilience, and food security. Advise on the development of new policies to enhance the sustainability of wheat production systems and improve value chains. Ensure that Uzbekistan's wheat policies promote market access, regional trade, and international cooperation in wheat value chains. Capacity Building and Technical Support Provide capacity-building and technical support to national policymakers, focusing on wheat production systems, conservation agriculture, and climate-smart farming techniques. Organize training sessions and workshops for stakeholders on sustainable wheat production, crop rotation, soil health, and efficient use of water resources. Develop training materials and policy toolkits to assist local policymakers in implementing best practices for sustainable wheat farming. Stakeholder Engagement and International Collaboration Facilitate collaboration between Uzbekistan's Ministry of Agriculture and international wheat research organizations, ensuring the country's wheat policies are aligned with global trends. Engage with international wheat value chain actors, private sector partners, and development agencies to promote sustainable wheat production and market integration. Represent the FOLUR project in global wheat forums, sharing Uzbekistan's progress and learning from international wheat production systems.
Monitoring and Evaluation Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks that track the impact of wheat-related agricultural policies and align with international reporting standards. Prepare policy briefs, knowledge products, and reports for international dissemination, highlighting Uzbekistan's progress in wheat production, sustainability, and climate-smart policies. Ensure that M&E frameworks include gender-responsive indicators and account for environmental, social, and economic impacts in the wheat sector. Collaboration with other Experts within the FOLUR Project Collaborates with National Agricultural Policy Expert. Collaborates with National Consultants for workshops and FFS. Collaborates with ILM Planning Experts for integrating sustainable agricultural practices into land-use planning. Collaborates 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. Expected Outputs and Responsibilities of the National Agriculture Policy Expert
Component 1: Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) for Sustainable Wheat Systems Output 1.1: Develop international best practice guidelines for ILM, focusing on sustainable wheat production systems and resource efficiency. Output 1.2: Support capacity building for national policymakers on integrating ILM approaches into sustainable wheat farming. Output 1.3: Contribute to policy briefs and knowledge-sharing platforms on ILM, particularly related to wheat production. Responsibilities Provide expertise in the development of ILM-focused policies, ensuring that wheat production systems are integrated with environmental sustainability goals. Facilitate knowledge exchange on global best practices in sustainable wheat farming, ensuring Uzbekistan's wheat policies reflect these practices.
Component 2: Promotion of Sustainable Food Production and Responsible Commodity Value Chains Output 2.1: Assist in designing policies that align Uzbekistan's wheat value chains with international standards for sustainability and market integration. Output 2.2: Develop policy recommendations to encourage private sector investment in sustainable wheat production and facilitate regional wheat trade. Output 2.3: Promote cross-border cooperation and policy harmonization in wheat value chains, ensuring international market access for Uzbek wheat producers. Responsibilities: Provide technical support to design market-based solutions for sustainable wheat value chains, integrating international standards for quality and sustainability. Promote private sector engagement and cross-border trade opportunities for Uzbekistan's wheat producers.
Component 3: Conservation and Restoration of Wheat Production Landscapes Output 3.1: Advise on policies that integrate biodiversity conservation into wheat production landscapes, ensuring sustainable use of natural resources. Output 3.2: Support regional initiatives for restoring degraded wheat production lands and conserving high-value ecosystems. Output 3.3: Facilitate partnerships to promote conservation agriculture practices in wheat farming, aligning with international best practices. Responsibilities: Lead the development of policies that promote conservation agriculture within wheat production systems, focusing on soil health, water management, and biodiversity conservation. Collaborate with international partners to develop innovative conservation approaches for wheat farming.
Component 4: Knowledge Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation Output 4.1: Develop policy guidelines and knowledge products documenting lessons learned from Uzbekistan's wheat policy reforms and share them globally. Output 4.2: Facilitate the dissemination of knowledge products on sustainable wheat farming in international platforms. Output 4.3: Design M&E frameworks for wheat production policies, ensuring compliance with international standards and tracking progress. Responsibilities: Produce knowledge products reflecting global best practices in wheat production policy reform and share them with international partners. Ensure that Uzbekistan's wheat-related policies are monitored and evaluated using internationally recognized frameworks.
Deliverables
Comprehensive Wheat Policy Review Report -A detailed review and analysis of Uzbekistan's existing wheat-related agricultural policies, including recommendations for aligning these policies with international best practices in sustainable wheat production, climate resilience, and value chain development.
Draft Wheat Policy Frameworks -Development of policy proposals and legal frameworks aimed at improving the sustainability, market integration, and climate resilience of Uzbekistan's wheat production systems. These frameworks should align with global sustainability standards, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and address key challenges in wheat farming, including soil health, water management, and market access.
Capacity Building and Training Reports -Documentation of international training sessions, workshops, and capacity-building initiatives conducted for Uzbekistan's policymakers, extension services, and wheat producers. The reports will include training materials, participant evaluations, and follow-up recommendations for continued skill development in wheat production and sustainable farming practices.
Wheat Value Chain Knowledge Products -Policy briefs, case studies, and technical reports that capture and share Uzbekistan's progress in developing sustainable wheat value chains. This knowledge products will be disseminated globally and regionally through international forums, sharing lessons learned and successful models of wheat value chain integration and sustainability.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Reports. -Comprehensive M&E reports that track the progress and impact of implemented wheat-related policies. These reports will include data on wheat production improvements, environmental and economic impacts, and adherence to international sustainability standards. M&E frameworks should include gender-sensitive indicators and address the social impact of policy reforms. Timeline: The consultancy services shall be provided within 100 days from the Effective Date of the Consultancy Agreement, with a total engagement of up to 100 working days during the project's 3-year duration. |
Requirements to the candidate |
Age: |
Irrelevant |
Gender: |
Irrelevant |
Residence: |
Tashkent, Uzbekistan |
Education: |
Higher |
Professional requirements |
Minimum requirements Qualifications and Experience The ideal International Wheat Agriculture Policy Expert should possess the following qualifications: Advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in Agricultural Policy, Agronomy, Agricultural Economics, or a related field with a specialization in wheat production systems. At least 10-15 years of professional experience in international wheat agriculture policy advisory, with a focus on sustainable wheat farming practices and value chain development. Proven experience working with international organizations (such as FAO, CIMMYT, or UN agencies) to develop wheat policies aligned with global sustainability standards. Experience in wheat value chains, regional trade, and market integration, with knowledge of global wheat markets and sustainable farming techniques. Strong background in conservation agriculture, climate-smart wheat farming, and integrated landscape management. Experience working in Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, is highly desirable, with an understanding of the local agricultural, policy, and socio-economic context. Proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data analysis software. Fluency in English is required (knowledge of Russian is a plus). Competencies: Expertise in developing international policies for sustainable wheat production and climate resilience. Strong leadership skills and experience in capacity-building initiatives focused on wheat production. Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with experience working with international organizations and cross-border stakeholders. Ability to manage multiple tasks and ensure timely delivery of policy recommendations.
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 Wheat Agriculture Policy 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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