International Coffee Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, established to save lives in emergencies and to use food assistance to build pathways to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impacts of climate change. WFP operates globally, with a mission to ensure that no one goes hungry, and it emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities for all its employees. WFP has been recognized for its efforts, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 202

• The organization is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce, investing in the personal and professional development of its employees through various training and mobility opportunities. WFP operates in numerous countries around the world, working tirelessly to ensure effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people.

Job Overview:
The International Coffee Expert will play a crucial role in the Building Resilient Commercial Smallholder Agriculture (BRECSA) project, which aims to transform Bhutan’s agrifood system into a resilient and competitive sector. This position involves providing technical assistance to assess existing coffee varieties, enhance production systems, and guide varietal selection. The expert will be responsible for establishing on-station and on-farm coffee trials, developing scientifically validated packages of practices, and providing evidence-based recommendations to inform the structured scale-up of coffee production in Zhemgang Dzongkhag and beyond. The role requires a deep understanding of coffee cultivation, market dynamics, and sustainable agricultural practices, with a focus on creating a robust coffee sector that benefits local farmers and meets market demands.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify, source, and recommend suitable and high-value coffee varieties for Bhutan, including varieties for immediate introduction and evaluation under different agroecological conditions by the end of June 202
• Assess, characterize, and document existing coffee genetic resources and varieties cultivated in Bhutan, particularly in Zhemgang and Sarpang, through field assessments during both vegetative (June-July 2026) and reproductive phases (November 2026).
• Develop scientifically validated research protocols for coffee germplasm characterization, varietal evaluation, performance testing, and variety release suitable for Bhutanese conditions by July 202
• Create evidence-based packages of practices and best management guidelines for sustainable coffee production under Bhutanese conditions, covering nursery management, planting systems, nutrition, pest and disease management, and post-harvest handling.
• Develop a comprehensive research protocol and package of practices for establishing on-station and on-farm trials by July.
• Design and provide tailored capacity development to researchers, extension staff, and selected producers on agro-ecological coffee cultivation practices.
• Conduct fieldwork in Bhutan, expected to take about 60-70% of the assignment duration, focusing on key stages of crop research—vegetative, reproductive, and harvesting phases.
• Report outcomes of the assignment to the Coffee Technical Working Group (C-TWG) for review and approval.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess a Master's Degree or higher in Agriculture Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science, Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture, or a related field. Additionally, the candidate should have a minimum of ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in coffee research, coffee agronomy, and sustainable coffee production systems across diverse agroecological conditions. Proven technical expertise in the identification, characterization, assessment, and evaluation of coffee varieties is essential, along with substantial experience in designing and implementing scientific field trials and research protocols. The candidate should also have experience in establishing and managing coffee nurseries and sustainable coffee production models suitable for smallholder farming systems.

Educational Background:
A Master's Degree or higher in Agriculture Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Crop Science, Soil Science, Sustainable Agriculture, or a related field is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of coffee cultivation and the scientific principles that underpin sustainable agricultural practices.

Experience:
Candidates must have at least ten years of progressively responsible professional experience in coffee research, coffee agronomy, and sustainable coffee production systems. This experience should include proven technical expertise in the identification and evaluation of coffee varieties, as well as substantial experience in designing and implementing scientific field trials and research protocols. Experience working with government institutions, international organizations, and donor-funded agricultural programs will be highly desirable, particularly in mountainous agroecological environments similar to Bhutan.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication, reporting, and collaboration with various stakeholders involved in the coffee sector development.

Additional Notes:
The position is an International Consultancy (Level II) with a contract duration of 89 days, requiring 60-70% of the time to be spent in the field in Bhutan. The role is expected to involve significant travel and fieldwork, particularly in Zhemgang and other target Dzongkhags. The compensation package will be attractive, and the organization emphasizes a commitment to diversity and equal opportunity in its hiring practices.