Specialist in Agricultural Training

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. In Lao PDR, FAO is implementing various projects to enhance agricultural productivity and improve livelihoods, particularly in rural areas.

Job Overview:
The position of Specialist in Agricultural Training is crucial for the successful implementation of the project titled 'Enhancement of Livelihood Resilience in Rural Areas (LRRA)', funded by the Government of Japan. This role involves developing and delivering a comprehensive two-day training program aimed at strengthening the capacity of Producer Groups in governance, financial management, business planning, and daily operations. The specialist will utilize a Training of Trainers approach, ensuring that the skills imparted during the training sessions are disseminated among the members of the Producer Groups, thereby enhancing the overall resilience and income of rural households. The training will target 411 members out of 1,250 farmers, focusing on key agricultural value chains in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Lao Farmer Association and local agricultural offices, to ensure the training meets the needs of the participants and aligns with the project's objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specialist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Reviewing project documents such as the Project Document, Needs Assessment, Baseline Report, and Logical Framework to inform the training design.
• Designing a two-day training curriculum that covers essential topics such as group structure and governance, roles and responsibilities of members, basic accounting and recordkeeping, quality standards and certification, negotiation with traders and buyers, collective purchasing and contract negotiation, group branding and promotion, conflict resolution, and decision-making.
• Preparing pre- and post-training assessments to evaluate participant knowledge and learning progress.
• Conducting training sessions in both Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, delivering the curriculum to selected PG representatives and documenting the results of assessments.
• Producing a final report that includes the training agenda, methodology, materials used, test results, participant observations, and recommendations for future capacity-building efforts.
• Traveling to training sites as required to facilitate the training sessions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in agriculture, rural development, agribusiness, community development, or a related field. Additionally, they should have at least 5 years of experience working with farmer organizations, producer groups, cooperatives, or community-based agriculture initiatives. A working knowledge of English and Lao, both written and spoken, is essential. Candidates must be nationals of Lao PDR or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in relevant fields such as agriculture, rural development, agribusiness, or community development. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of agricultural training and community engagement necessary for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in working with farmer organizations, producer groups, cooperatives, or community-based agriculture initiatives. This experience should include a strong background in community engagement and collaboration with various stakeholders, including government partners and NGOs.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Lao is mandatory for this position, as effective communication is essential for training delivery and stakeholder engagement. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to involve travel to training sites in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces. The role is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared for a contract duration that aligns with the project timeline. Compensation and benefits will be discussed during the interview process.