Job Description Farmer Field School Coordinator
Primary Location
: Various Locations
Organizational Setting
In line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals, the main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Egypt, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Egypt to develop policies, programmes and projects to improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience of vulnerable communities.
FAO Egypt is currently implementing a rural development project that targets the smallholder farmer households in selected Haya Karima villages in Assiut, Sohag and Qena Governorates. Through the upscaling of tested and validated modern irrigation techniques, climate-smart water management (CSWM) practices, land use consolidation, good agricultural practices (GAP) and enhancement of strategic crops value chains, the project will work towards achieving increased crop yields per unit of irrigation water used over time and improving food security and income generation for small scale producers.
The selected candidate for this role will be based in one of FAO intervention governorates in Southern Egypt (Assiut, Sohag and Qena).
Reporting Lines
The advertised role will work under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY, the direct supervision of the project coordinator, the chief technical advisor, the technical senior land and water officer located in Cairo-based FAO Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE) and in close collaboration with the governorate coordinator, FAO country office and project personnel as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders.
Technical Focus
Support the development of Farmer Field School (FFS) approaches and community-based learning in food and agriculture, in the context of FAO's Strategic Framework.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Review and familiarise with the FAO methodology for the mobilisation, implementation and monitoring of FFSs for the promotion of appropriate CSA and new irrigation practices and technologies.
• Support in the identification of village-level FFS facilitator candidates (from government extension workers, NGO social mobilisers, community leaders and lead farmers) for final selection by the Project Manager.
• In collaboration with the FFS facilitators and farmers’ and community leaders, assist FAO’s PMU to select the climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM practices and technologies to be tested, adapted and replicated by FFS participants.
• Undergo training and on-the-job coaching in the climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM practices and technologies selected for the agro-ecologies of the concerned governorates (provided by FAO climate-smart agronomy, livestock and PHM specialists).
• Coordinate and participate in the training of FFS facilitators in the FFS methodology and selected climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM practices and technologies (conducted by the Project’s master trainers).
• Coordinate and oversee the FFS coordinators in the mobilization of groups of smallholder men and women farmers and rural households to establish and participate in FFSs.
• Coordinate and oversee the FFS coordinators in guiding the implementation and monitoring of FFSs for the testing, adaptation and replication of innovative and improved climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM practices and technologies.
• Provide coaching sessions and prepare specifications for climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM input packages/kits for the establishment of group-based study plots/ventures and on-farm/site experimental plots/ventures (procured by FAO-Egypt) and ensure their time delivery to FFS leaders and distribution among FFS participants.
• Monitor the performance of the FFS participants and the FFS facilitators throughout the duration of the FFSs in order to analyse and reflect critically on their experiences, and plan for future goals and activities, ensuring the upkeep of FFS diaries reporting on regular meetings, problems encountered, decisions made, demonstration events, lessons learned and persons visiting (e.g. master trainers, project staff, extension officers, local and national officials, commercial agents and dignitaries and other farmers).
• Evaluate the impact of the FFSs on the participants’ adoption of the climate-smart crop and livestock production and PHM practices and technologies tested and adapted and report to FAO’s Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist accordingly.
• Assist The Project coordinator, and coordinate with FAO’s M&E Specialist to create a governorate-level database of FFSs established and implemented or failed, including a feedback mechanism that enables the regular and needs-base exchange of information between FFS facilitators, master trainers, project managers, as well as MoALR extension directors and officers, researchers and policy makers.
• Undertake duty travel and perform other related tasks as required by the Project Manager/FFS Specialist.
• Prepare an end of assignment report for approval of the Project Manager/FFS Specialist and FAOR.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in agriculture economics, Agribusiness Developments, social sciences, agriculture sciences, Agricultural Statistics, economics or statistics or other related fields.
• At least 5 years of experience in similar functions designing, implementing and reporting on socio-economic activities.
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Egypt.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Extent and relevance of experience in
• Familiarity with
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing) Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment
