Programme Policy Officer, (Hydroponics), 11 mths at World Food Programme

JOB PURPOSE

• Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Head of Evidence Generation Block, the incumbent will play a key role in supporting government and particularly as it relates to the Rapid Rural Transformation initiatives and other partners to establish and manage hydroponic units for the production of high value crops and vegetables. The consultant will also support in facilitating trainings for WFP, government and smallholder farmers on the management of the hydroponics units and market access. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

Key roles and responsibilities for this position will include transfer of knowledge and skills to Government officials and Smallholder Farmers to own and manage horticulture initiative that uses hydroponics technology. Specific roles also include:

•  Assist in developing specific technical guidance and appropriate manuals related to hydroponic farming;
•  Provide technical assistance and Training of Trainers (ToT) on hydroponics system set up and management, the ToTs will include WFP staff, smallholder farmers and government officials; 
• Work with target schools and smallholder farmers to set up and manage a Hydroponic farm environment; 
•  Support target schools and smallholder farmers to plan and coordinate the production of vegetables, fruits, horticulture & floriculture plants from seed, and bulbs propagation preparation to harvest in hydroponics environment, including new varieties to rootstocks 
•  Ensure the right capacity and skills exist in the target schools and communities in order to maintain crop production by cultivating, de-budding, pruning, and maintaining optimal growing conditions in assigned greenhouses 
•  Enhance the capacity and skills of target schools and smallholder farmers on Nutrient preparation & management 
•  Provide overall guidance and supervision to target schools and communities on the general maintenance of greenhouse structures, irrigation equipment and water supply systems
•  Work closely with the M&E unit to support target schools and communities to establish and maintain a strong monitoring and evaluation system for monitoring and evaluation the outputs of the hydroponic system including production levels, sales and incomes. 
•  Liaise with the communication unit to ensure systematic documentation of the impact stories and best practices coming from the implementation of the hydroponic interventions in schools and target communities 
•  Support Regional hydroponics initiatives in RBJ Country Offices

FUNCTIONAL CAPABILITIES

• Capability Name    Description of the behaviour expected for the proficiency level
• Programme Lifecycle & Food Assistance    Displays ability to identify the main hunger problem at the national or subnational level to design and implement context-specific programmes that integrate complex analysis and the full range of food assistance tools.
• Transfer Modalities (Food, Cash, Voucher)    Demonstrates ability to analyse and consolidate quantitative and qualitative information from different sources (e.g., market studies) to inform transfer modality selection and programme development.
• Broad Knowledge of Specialized areas (i.e. Nutrition, VAM, etc.)    Demonstrates the ability to interpret basic data in the context of WFP specialised fields to contribute to technical programme design, implementation and monitoring.
• Emergency Programming    Displays ability to translate understanding of programme principles in emergencies and protracted conflict situations into relevant, effective, and context specific approaches.
• Strategic Policy Engagement w/ Government    Develops thorough recommendations using multiple inputs (e.g., government counsel, research, own experience) to strengthen national or subnational entities and government owned food and nutrition security programmes.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

• Post-secondary qualification on related field, preferably in Agricultural, Horticulture, Agricultural Extension or related fields.
   

Language:

• Excellent knowledge of English. Good working knowledge of a second UN language preferably French, Spanish or Arabic is desirable.
   

Experience: 

•     3 years of relevant experience.
•     The candidates should be able to demonstrate strong competence with progressively responsible roles in one or more of the following agricultural technologies: low-tech and low-cost hydroponic solutions, community-based programming on agriculture, and training facilitation at all levels
•     Traceable record of successful implementation of hydroponics

Knowledge & Skills: 

•     Working knowledge and technical experience on hydroponics; 
•     Experience of working in farming technologies, land and water management for agriculture; 
•     Experience of working in projects with communities and community-based interventions; 
•     Experience of working in the humanitarian context would be an advantage.