Nutrition sensitive homestead garden specialist (national) (SC-8)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition.

The FAO Country Office in Bangladesh (FABGD) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the country and, in collaboration with the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), Divisions, Offices and Centres at FAO Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to these priorities. Through its Country Programming Framework (CPF), the Country Office supports policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, at country level and facilitates the emergence of country partnerships and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

The FAO office in Bangladesh is expected to provide technical assistance to the public sector stakeholder institutions in Bangladesh to facilitate the implementation of the upcoming Diversified Resilient Agriculture for Improved Food and Nutrition Security (RAINS) Project. The overall aim of this project is to provide Technical Assistance (TA) to strengthen the capacity of implementing agencies, especially Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and Department of Agricultural Marketing (DAM), to successfully implement the project and reach expected results.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will be working under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser (STA), in close cooperation with FAO and GAIN experts and in close coordination with the RAINS Project Director.

Technical focus

The specific duty of the Nutrition-sensitive homestead garden specialist is to provide technical guidance for the RAINS project. Specifically, the incumbent is expected to provide strategic guidance to the components of the RAINS in the area of homestead garden establishment and nutrition, support collection of relevant information and data. Finally, she/he will be responsible for capturing lessons learned from the nutrition-sensitive homestead gardens demonstrations and conducting training sessions aiming at improved nutrition and behavioural change.

Tasks And Responsibilities

• Based on a rapid field assessment and existing approaches and training material, compile and adapt Nutrition Behaviour Change Communication (NBCC) messages.
• Identify nutrition priority actions and messages to be included in the project training materials and activities for homestead gardens, Farmer Field and Business Schools, producer organizations and small food processing enterprises.
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, review existing models of improved homestead gardens and elaborate simple step-by-step guidelines for the establishment of the same.
• In coordination with the Project Management Unit (PMU), agree on the sites for the establishment of the demonstration gardens.
• In collaboration with the PMU, organize and provide Training of Trainers (ToT) for DAE frontline staff (SAAOs) on the establishment of the integrated homestead garden models.
• Review the value chain studies and provide feedback regarding nutrition aspects.
• Assist the post-harvest expert with the review and updating of training material on post-harvest, primary processing and storage with respect to nutrition aspects. Support the ToT on improved post-harvest management, storage and primary processing for DAM and DAE-SAAO staff.
• Provide post ToT coaching and on-the-job training support to the trained DAM and DAE-SAAO staff.
• Participate in value chain round tables and engage the SUN business network in Bangladesh to enhance nutrition considerations in marketing arrangements.
• Support the development of simple processing guidelines and the training of small food processing entrepreneurs in the aspects of nutritional value.
• Prepare training and workshop reports and field mission back-to-office reports.
• Contribute to FAO-TA and RAINS progress reports to GAFSP regarding nutrition related activities.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Nutrition, Horticulture, Homestead gardens or related subject.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in the area of nutrition, homestead gardening, gender sensitive nutrition or similar.
• Working knowledge of English and Bangla
• National of Bangladesh.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good technical knowledge of and experience with homestead gardens development and nutrition behaviour change in rural context.
• Experience in training and coaching, preferably of government extension staff
• Excellent communication skills including writing skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear communication, and concise reports, and effective oral presentations.
• Willingness to work as a team member with multicultural and multidisciplinary team of experts.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives of the assignment work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Self-motivation, willingness to learn and good work ethics.

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 http://www.whed.net/
• 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.

Job Posting

14/Dec/2023

Closure Date

28/Dec/2023, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

FABGD – FAO Representation in Bangladesh

Job Type

Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition

NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level

N/A

Primary Location

Bangladesh-Dhaka

Duration

6 months (with possibility of extension)

Post Number

N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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