Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.ย
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.ย
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.ย
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:ย
(i) ย ย advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAOโs mandate;
(ii) ย ย provide technical assistance and deliver core services;ย
(iii) ย ย assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;ย
(iv) ย ย position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; andย
(v) ย ย ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management. ย
The project will introduce into the national curricula of agriculture programs of universities key concepts of climate change adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, climate adaptive water management and climate adaptive technologies
Eligibility criteria:ย
Universities have courses relevant to climate change adaptation (e.g. agriculture, engineering, architecture)
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Jordan
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of FAO Jordan Representative, and supervision of the Lead Technical Advisor the National Expert on Curriculum Development) will implement the required tasks in close consultation with the hired international consultant and Policy and Educational Reform Specialist, the Ministry of Higher Education (MoEd), and relevant stakeholders.
Technical Focus
โข ย ย Curricula updates for climate change adaptation
โข ย ย Specialized university curricula (agriculture, architecture, water engineering)
โข ย ย Water conservation, climate-smart agricultureย
โข ย ย Climate change adaptation and agriculture
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will be mainly involved in implementing tasks under Activity 3.1.2.1, in collaboration with the hired international consultant on climate change adaptation. The Expert will be based at the Ministry of Environment to support the project PMU. The consultancy will involve the following tasks:
Task 1: Curriculum Review and Analysis:
o ย ย Support the international consultant in conducting a comprehensive review of existing national curricula of university degrees related to agriculture/ water management (e.g. agriculture, architecture, and civil engineering).
o ย ย Support the international consultant in identifying gaps and opportunities for integrating climate change adaptation practices and technologies into existing agricultural programs.
o ย ย Support the international consultant to analyse best practices that will include climate awareness, risk analysis adaptation, and mitigation approaches and strategies for climate change adaptation in educational programs.
Task 2: Stakeholder Consultation:
o ย ย Facilitate conducting gender-inclusive consultation with universities at project target governorates, including university staff, environmental experts, students, and policymakers to prepare the new curricula for degrees related to agriculture/ water management (e.g. agriculture, architecture, and civil engineering).
o ย ย Support an international consultant in gathering feedback and suggestions for curriculum improvements specific to climate change adaptation.
o ย ย Support international consultant of confirmation of the identified universities and faculties based on the conducted consultation.
Task 3: Curriculum Development:
o ย ย Support the development of an updated curriculum framework of university degree national curricula focused on climate-smart agriculture.ย
o ย ย Provide support to collaborate with stakeholders, including educators, agricultural experts, and policymakers, to ensure alignment with university priorities and best practices.
Task 4: Monitoring and Evaluation:
o ย ย Support the development of a framework for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the updated curriculum, gathering feedback from educators and students for continuous improvement.
o ย ย Follow up and monitor and evaluate the implementation of the updated curricula, gathering feedback from educators and students for continuous improvement.
Task 3: Report on progress monthly:ย
โข ย ย Submit monthly progress reports to the PMU team (6 reports).Address the comments raised during the clearance process of the assignment deliverables.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements ย
โข ย ย A minimum of a masterโs degree in agriculture, water management, environmental science, climate change adaptation, curriculum development, or a related field.
โข ย ย At least 5 years of experience in curriculum development and educational reform in higher education, particularly in agriculture, water management, or environmental science.
โข ย ย Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English and Arabic is required
โข ย ย National of Jordan or a legal resident in the country.
ย ย
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Strong knowledge of climate change adaptation strategies, climate-smart agriculture, and water management in arid and semi-arid regions.
โข ย ย Ability to review, analyze, and develop curricula that incorporate climate adaptation principles.
Selection Criteria
โข ย ย PhD is an advantage.ย
โข ย ย Experience in conducting stakeholder consultations, particularly with universities, policymakers, and environmental experts.
โข ย ย Proven excellence in report writing skills.
โข ย ย Strong Communication skills in English and Arabic (Speaking, reading and writing).
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