ID: 19613
Location: FREETOWN
Date of issue: 03/21/2024
Close Date (Midnight, Rome Time): 04/07/2024
Organizational Unit: Front Office Programme Mgmt
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Regular/Temporary: Temporary
Assignment Duration:
Grade: C-1
Organizational Setting
This call for interest is advertised as a temporary assignment for consultant.
The Government of Sierra Leone has taken a significant stride in the realm of agricultural development with the introduction of “Feed Salone,” an ambitious agenda designed to elevate economic growth, generate employment opportunities, alleviate hunger, and enhance the resilience of the nation’s food system. At the core of this transformative initiative is the goal to attain self-sufficiency in key staples and amplify export earnings from cash crops.
To address long standing challenges that continue to inhibit the optimal performance of critical value chains across the agricultural sector, the Feed Salone’s strategic interventions will be implemented through the following six (6) pillars:
• Pillar 1: Mechanization and Irrigation
• Pillar 2: Seeds and Inputs System
• Pillar 3: Aggregation, Processing and Marketing
• Pillar 4: Access to Finance
• Pillar 5: Agricultural Technology (AgTech) and Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA)
• Pillar 6: Empowering Women and Youth
In alignment with this visionary agenda, the government has forged a partnership with the African Agriculture Transformation Initiative (AATI). The AATI, co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and McKinsey & Company, is committed to reinforcing national delivery mechanisms to support agricultural transformation policies and programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. This collaborative effort translates into the establishment of an Agriculture Transformation Office (ATO) in Sierra Leone.
Within this framework, the ATO in Sierra Leone, a pivotal component of the AATI, will play a crucial role in advancing the implementation of the government’s agriculture transformation plan. The ATO’s mandate encompasses facilitating the transfer of knowledge and learning through daily interactions with government personnel, strengthening policy formulation, providing evidence-based decision-making advice, and contributing to resource mobilization efforts.
To ensure effective organizational structure and reporting lines, it is mandated that all staff within the ATO have their supervisors adhering to the established organizational chart.
As AATI seeks qualified candidates to advise the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in delivering and implementing the “Feed Salone” agenda, this collaborative initiative holds promise for fostering sustainable agricultural growth, improving food security, and contributing to the overall socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.
Background Information
In collaboration with the government of Sierra Leone, the AATI is establishing an Agricultural Transformation Office which will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture of Sierra Leone. Three primary outcomes will be achieved. Three primary outcomes will be achieved: (i) Transformation and Growth of Agriculture in Sierra Leone; (ii) Enhanced capacity of Government to implement the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (iii) Effective and efficient implementation of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
The above-mentioned outcomes will contribute to bridging the gap between agricultural strategies and actual implementation and therefore contribute to Sierra Leone overall economic development.
Job Role
The Mechanization and Irrigation Pillar Lead ( Pillar 1), within the ATO is tasked with advising and supporting the expansion of mechanized farming services and robust irrigation systems to improve water management and expand cultivable areas, in line the with the Sierra Leone agriculture transformation agenda.
Work Relationships
The Mechanization and Irrigation Pillar Lead will report to the Head of Programmes. He/She will work closely with other Pillar Leads, Ministry staff and other partners.
Objectives:
• Contribute to the efficiency and productivity of agricultural operations through mechanization and improved irrigation systems, with a special focus on rice.
• Support the expansion of cultivation areas, particularly for staple crops such as rice, through effective mechanization and irrigation to increase production and yield.
• Support the development of large-scale irrigation strategies that optimize water usage and enhance resilience to climate variability, with a focus on rice.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices through the adoption of efficient and environmentally friendly mechanization and irrigation technologies, in collaboration with the Climate Specialist.
• Decrease the reliance on rainfed agriculture by supporting the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, thus mitigating the risks associated with weather variabilities and climate change.
The Mechanization and Irrigation Pillar Lead will perform the following tasks:
• Support the development of a detailed mechanization plan, costed with timelines. Review the existing mechanized services (Machine Rings), including the use of tractors and other machinery, to enhance agricultural productivity, particularly in the key rice production clusters.
• Contribute to the development of strategies which supports the expansion and improvement of irrigation infrastructure across Sierra Leone. This includes supporting projects for centralized, large-scale irrigation systems such as the Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) cluster.
• Advise the Ministry staff in the management and the execution of mechanization and irrigation projects, ensuring they are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with technical specifications and environmental standards.
• Work with various stakeholders, including the Machine Rings representatives, government agencies, private sector partners, local communities, and international development organizations, to facilitate the successful implementation of mechanization and irrigation projects.
• Develop and execute training programs for local farmers and agricultural workers on the use and maintenance of mechanized equipment and irrigation systems.
• Contribute to robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of mechanization and irrigation interventions and make data-driven decisions for future improvements.
Qualification Requirements
Education:
Education includes Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://whed.net/home.php in Agricultural Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resource Management or related field is required.
Experience:
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience of progressively responsible professional experience in the field of specialization, particularly in the formulation of mechanization, water management and irrigation related matters geared towards enhancing technical development programmes.
• Previous experience in a similar role is required.
• Private sector experience is an asset.
Languages:
• Excellent command (written and verbal) of English is required.
Skills
• Strong Microsoft Office (MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Access) skills and experience required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Good team-player
• Ability to work methodically, accurately, and neatly.
• Ability to work under pressure and in fast paced organizational setup.
• Strong set of personal values, including integrity, honesty and desire to be of service
• Extensive experience in agricultural mechanization, irrigation systems, and project management.
• Proficiency in modern agricultural technologies and practices, especially in relation to the rice value chain.
• Strong delivery and programmes experience
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Important:
This consultancy assignment does not carry any expectation of employment, extension or conversion to another type of contract with IFAD.
The remuneration will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and skills as well as the nature of the assignment in terms of:
• Responsibilities and complexities of the assignment
• Number of years of work experience
• The degree of specialization required.
IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.
Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.
This call is advertised as a short-term assignment for a consultant and expected to start shortly after selection. Should an external candidate (including consultants and staff members not meeting IFAD HR Implementing Procedures’ definition of ‘internal’) be selected, the contract type would be that of a consultant.
