Organizational Setting

The FAO in Liberia assists the Government to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition; to help the Government develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use the environmental and natural resources in a suitable way. It participates in the development of FAO’s field projects in the country and implements it, including the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the damaged relevant sectors.

Assistance today is focused on revitalizing the agriculture sector, which is crucial for the consolidation of Liberia’s progress from post-conflict stabilization to sustainable economic development and food security. Productive and income-generating agricultural activities are an integral part of the recent emergency interventions required to relieve refugees and host communities in Liberia.

Background:

The Government of Liberia unveiled a new development strategy in 2018, the Pro-poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) which has been elaborated in the second generation of the Liberian Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (LASIP II) and the 2015 National Food Security and Nutrition Strategy (FSNS).

The PAPD strongly emphasizes the role of a diversified and competitive agricultural sector for the economy and for reducing food insecurity. Its stated main goals are for Liberia to achieve “a more competitive and diversified agricultural sector that promotes value chains for food self-sufficiency, increased exports, job creation, and livelihood opportunities” by 2023. The PAPD emphasise the importance of the successful implementation of LASIP II and prioritizes the strengthening of production and processing of locally consumed food products (rice, cassava, vegetables) as well of main export agricultural products (oil palm, cocoa, rubber).

LASIP II an instrument of change to transform the agricultural landscape of Liberia, this agricultural investment plan constitutes an avenue for effective planning, collaboration and coordination with partner Ministries to achieve the set goal. Liberia’s NAIP, LASIP II was developed on the basis of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and Malabo declaration of 2014. The success of the PAPD for the agricultural sector heavily depends on the implementation of LASIP II.

To accelerate the implementation of NAIP-FNSs, the need for developing mobilisation programmes was recognized to support countries to: (i) achieve the Malabo commitments, (ii) mobilise as quickly as possible internal and external resources, NAIP-FNS financing levers, (iii) effectively and efficiently involve the key sub-sectors (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Forests and Environment, Trade) in the NAIP-FNS implementation.

For successful implementation, the government had intended to recruit a National Consultant to lead the formulation of the six (6) mobilizing programmes for LASIP II.

MP 1:Inputs (incl. seeds, agro-chemicals, land, access to finance, extension services, women & youth empowerment);

MP 2:Mechanization (incl. extension services, women and youth empowerment);

MP 3:Value addition & Market development (infrastructure, processing, postharvest losses, intra-regional trade, women and youth empowerment);

MP 4:Sustainable and integrated management of natural resources (soil, water, vegetation, woody and non-woody forest products value chains, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, intra-regional trade, women and youth empowerment);

MP 5:Security and Resilience Support Strategies and Programs (implementation of Multi-sectoral Strategic Support Plans or Programs for improving the nutritional status of the populations; consolidation of social protection instruments for vulnerable rural populations); and

MP 6: Management of LASIP II implementation (financing, capacity building and communication strategies, cross-sectoral coordination of NAIP-FNS implementing structures, monitoring and evaluation system and joint review of the implementation of the NAIP-FNS, mechanisms for dialogue and consultation at all levels, mechanisms for the formulation and implementation of financing, capacity building and communication strategies).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Liberia, the technical supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programme and Policy Officer (FIRST), FIRST Management Team in FAO HQ Rome; in close collaboration with Focal Point of Ministry of Agriculture, and Taskforce for Investment Plan; the main task of expert will be to assist MOA to develop its three mobilizing programmes under LASIP II. The detailed content of the plan will be worked out during the assignment, but its main roles will be to prioritize investment requirements, serve as a budget planning tool and resource mobilization and contain sufficient implementation features to convert into action the LASIP II.

Technical Focus

The expected deliverables are three draft mobilizing programmes as input to the national policy and endorsement process and resulting from a process described below;

Inputs (incl. seeds, agro-chemicals, land, access to finance, extension services, women & youth empowerment);

MP 2:Mechanization (incl. extension services, women and youth empowerment);

MP 3:Value addition & Market development (infrastructure, processing, postharvest losses, intra-regional trade, women and youth empowerment);

The overall objective of the consultancy is to support the Ministry of Agriculture in the development of the mobilization programs for efficient mobilization of resources and financial structuring of six thematic areas under LASIP II.

Tasks and Responsibilities

The consulting services (“the Services”) shall include but not necessarily limited to the duties and responsibilities outlined below:

• Develop comprehensive mobilizing programs for resource mobilization strategy for MOA including preparing relevant documents for the organization of Technical and Financial partners fora and meetings;
• Undertake comprehensive analysis and prepare a strategic document for each mobilizing program to facilitate resource mobilization ensuring alignment with SDGs targets;
• Actively participate and contribute to all meetings / workshops organized by jointly by MOA and FAO and facilitate a very inclusive consultation process to develop the plan in agreement with the Government;
• Facilitate the development of a results framework (s) of each mobilizing programme that is/are aligned and coherent with PAPD, LASIP II and SDG 2 related indicators and other relevant targets under the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development;
• Target specific objectives specifying the expected outcomes and impacts as well as potential beneficiaries in the programme’s impact area;
• investment/mobilizing programmes;
• Collate recommendations that are in line with government priorities based on existing policies/strategies, as well as consultations with key informants in partner ministries and agencies and incorporate them into the draft mobilizing programmes;
• Lead and conduct stakeholder meetings and internal consultations, and contribute to the preparation of findings and proposals related to the draft mobilizing programmes;
• Involve relevant staff in the Government into the process so that they are trained on the job/ provide on the job trainings;
• Perform any other duties to ensure successful implementation of the assignment as identified by the FAO country office or the FIRST team.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Familiarity with the socio-economic and political context of Liberia.
• Familiarity with project execution modalities such as national execution.
• Experience in agriculture, irrigation, food security and nutrition projects designing, management and implementation;
• Experience in more than one country in designing and drafting national policies, and strategic studies; and
• Strong interpersonal and communication, reporting and presentation skills.
• Work experience with projects funded by international donors.
• Extent and relevance of experience in leading and building project teams to set and achieve clear goals.
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning, managing, implementing and monitoring projects that are consistent with agreed work plans and key performance indicators.
• Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Strong partnership building and networking skills involving multiple types of partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Extent and relevance of experience in provision of supervision, advice and mentoring to project team and project partners in the international technical cooperation.
• Experience with FAO or other UN agencies’ systems and administration procedures for technical cooperation activities is desirable.
• Familiarity with the UN Communications rules and procedures, experience in developing communications strategies for the UN is necessary.
• Previous working experience in the region and familiarity with the country situation will be highly desirable;
• Knowledge and experience in results-based management, development and implementation of budgets, preparation of technical and financial reports, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to prepare concise reports according to United Nations standards.

Knowledge and use of participatory planning tools.

• Concise and sound communication capacity;

Selection Criteria

• Knowledge in food security and nutrition, international development studies, agriculture economics, investment planning, or closely related fields
• Independent worker and excellent skills working as part of a team;
• Excellent reading, writing and communication skills in English
• Very high skills/knowledge of background related to the ToR’s Requirements
• Experience with UN, and other International Organizations would be an asset