Job Summary:
The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) seeks a Consultant on Agricultural Policy Analysis and Coordination for a one-year, renewable appointment in its Tajikistan Office. The Consultant serves as a liaison between the MoA, Tajik Academy of Agriculture Sciences (TAAS) and development partners. The Consultant role is purely one of coordination and supportive facilitation. The Consultant plays a key role in supporting ongoing coordination efforts between the IFPRI, MoA and other government institutions, and development partners.
This involves working with the government of Tajikistan institutions and development partners to support over time coordinating the implementation of the ASSADP 2030 implementation plan; and serving as an anchor to assist the MoA in communicating and coordinating services. This position is based in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The final position title will be determined based on the candidate's level of experience.
Background
Agriculture has been among the main drivers of Tajikistanโs economic growth during the last 20 years. About 80 percent of Tajikistanโs poor resided in rural areas in 2019 where agriculture, which produced 21 percent of GDP during the same year, employed 61 percent of the labor force. Tajikistanโs agriculture faces many constraints, including a challenging business environment, limited access to high quality inputs and export markets, an unsustainable use and severe degradation of pastures, and high vulnerability to climate impacts.
The government of Tajikistan on March 1, 2023 (Resolution #54), adopted Agrifood System and Sustainable Agriculture Development Program (ASSADP 2030) for the period up to 2030 which sets an ambitious goal to strengthen institutional and structural reforms in the agriculture and food sector, which are aimed at creating โsustainable productive agricultural productionโ (climate smart agriculture) employing new technologies, capable of solving existing food security problems and improving the agricultural export competitiveness.
Essential Duties:
Support to the MoA in the facilitation of ASSADP 2030 Implementation Plan:
ยท Support the MoA in assessing progress outcomes of the ASSADP 2030 and make recommendations for adjustments.
ยท Assist the MoA in monitoring and assessing the implementation of ASSADP 2030, including monitoring and reporting on gender equality and coordinating periodic reporting of development partners' financed projects and projects funded through public budget.
ยท Assist the MoA in coordinating, tracking, and monitoring the support provided by development partners on the ASSADP 2030 Implementation Plan and populating and regularly updating the MoAโs monitoring/reporting tool.
ยท Review of implementation of the ASSADP 2030 and preparation of policy notes and briefs.
ยท Support strengthening the institutional and analytical capacity of the MoA through conducting comprehensive assessments and developing action plans.
ยท Assist in identifying further needs for Technical Assistance for priority based on NDC.
ยท Support the MoA in mapping ongoing investment projects implemented by development partners and state programs in the agriculture sector, aiming to coordinate efforts and provide evidence to facilitate the attraction of investment to the agrifood sector.
Review agrifood data collection system:
ยท Review existing agrifood data collection systems to define the gaps and develop improved policies and procedures.
ยท Support improving methodologies and procedures for agrifood sector data collection, processing, and analysis.
ยท Assist the MoA in preparing concept notes to access financing for unfunded priorities in the ASSADP 2030.
Coordination and communication with key stakeholders:
ยท Ensure that communications relevant to ASSADP 2030 engagement are shared with relevant national and international level stakeholders.
ยท Facilitate periodic coordination and information exchange among stakeholders on the implementation of the ASSADP 2030.
ยท Facilitate international and national country specific multi-stakeholder dialogues and meetings/conferences relevant to the ASSADP 2030 agenda, which may serve one or more of the following objectives:
ยท Support government in conducting meetings among development partners and other key stakeholders, in order to maximize synergies, avoid duplication and mobilize support for identified needs and gaps for successful ASSADP 2030 implementation.
ยท Other support needed by MoA to coordinate with development partners.
Identifying lessons learned and results:
ยท Assist in tracking the progress and provide periodic progress updates on the implementation of the ASSADP 2030.
ยท Assist the MoAโs Policy Support Unit in the identification and dissemination of information on best practices and lessons learned from other countries with similar context and best fit.
Deliverables:
ยท Monthly Reports
ยท Quarterly Country Engagement Update reports (using agreed template for the report)
ยท Biannual or quarterly partner coordination, regular meetings, conferences, and workshops
ยท Annual report summarizing all deliverables.
Required Qualifications:
ยท Masterโs degree in economics, agriculture, public finance, sustainable development, or closely related discipline and five years of relevant post-masterโs professional experience.
ยท Demonstrable experience working in economics and agriculture tasks in Tajikistan including, but not limited to, agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation action, government policy and legal frameworks, M&E systems, and results-based management.
ยท Demonstrated skills in managing and aligning diverse groups of stakeholders, including development agencies, non-state actors / civil society, financial institutions, the private sector, and others.
ยท Excellent writing, editing, digital, and oral communication skills in Russian and Tajik.
ยท Proficiency in English, Tajik and Russian.
Physical Demand & Work Environment:
ยท