Organizational Setting
FAOโs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations. The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region. The FAO REU is a strategic partner of the Government of the Republic of Moldova in advancing sustainable agrifood development, is implementing the project โStrengthening Competitiveness and Resilience to Climate Risks of Moldovan Smallholder Farmers within the joint FAO-UNDP Programme Resilient and Competitive Marketsโ, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Building on and transitioning from previous emergency response projects, this initiative shifts the focus towards long-term resilience, supporting smallholder farmers in adopting climate-smart and conservation agriculture (CSA/CA) practices, improving productivity, and enhancing market access. It also contributes to the development of sustainable value chains, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Moldova and the direct technical supervision of the Agricultural Officer and the Climate Change Officer based in the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU). The incumbent will collaborate closely with the project team, national counterparts, extension services, and other relevant stakeholders involved in promoting CSA/CA and SALM practices in Moldova.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will contribute to strengthening the practical application, scaling-up, and institutional integration of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Conservation Agriculture (CA), and Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) practices in Moldova. The role focuses on assessing current institutional capacities, identifying operational gaps, and supporting improved coordination among national and local actors involved in sustainable agriculture. The expert will guide the establishment, day-to-day operation, and monitoring of CSA/CA demonstration plots and pilot interventions, ensuring that practices such as minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, diversified crop rotations, soil fertility restoration, and water-use efficiency are effectively applied and adapted to Moldovaโs agro-ecological conditions. The incumbent will provide hands-on technical support on soil health management, climate-resilient production systems, and crop diversification strategies suitable for smallholders and commercial farms. The role includes developing training curricula and materials for Farmer Field Schools (FFS) on CSA/CA and SALM, and delivering training and mentoring to extension agents, local specialists, farmer associations, and the National Extension Agency, enabling them to promote and disseminate sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices across the country.
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย ย ย Conduct a comprehensive assessment of institutional capacities, operational gaps, and support mechanisms within MAFI, the National Extension Centre, LPAs, farmersโ organizations, and other relevant institutions related to CSA, CA, SALM, and DRM.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide technical advice for integrating CSA, CA, SALM, climate resilience, and sustainable crop production practices into national and local agricultural policies, strategies, subsidy schemes, and regulatory frameworks.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide guidance on sustainable crop production and protection practices, including integrated pest management (IPM), soil fertility enhancement, protected cultivation, and the use of green technologies and innovations adapted to Moldovaโs conditions.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide advice and strategic guidance on seed systems development, including quality seed production, seed distribution mechanisms, and seed-related interventions in emergency and early recovery contexts.
โข ย ย ย ย Respond to country requests for technical and policy assistanceโproviding solutions, technical advice, and backstopping to FAO Decentralized Offices and to national partners.
โข ย ย ย ย Support the identification, formulation, and technical design of programmes and projects in sustainable crop production, CSA/CA/SALM, and climate-resilient agriculture.
โข ย ย ย ย Lead the technical design, establishment, operation, and monitoring of CSA/CA demonstration plots and pilot interventions across selected regions.
โข ย ย ย ย Ensure the effective application of minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, diversified crop rotations, integrated soil fertility management, water-use efficiency measures, cover crops, mulching, and other conservation agriculture practices.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide hands-on support on soil health management (SOM, infiltration, aggregate stability), crop diversification, climate-resilient varieties, and regenerative production systems.
โข ย ย ย ย Support climate information platforms, DRR, and early warning integration in FFS
โข ย ย ย ย Introduce and supervise farmer-led trials comparing CA vs. conventional practices, soil cover materials, crop rotations, irrigation efficiency, and soil moisture management.
โข ย ย ย ย Design, structure, and operationalize a national Farmer Field School (FFS) approach centered on CSA/CA and SALM, including learning modules, facilitation guidelines, and seasonal training pathways.
โข ย ย ย ย Develop complete FFS training packages on CSA/CA (AESA, field experimentation protocols, decision-making tools, monitoring templates, and farmer innovation cycles).
โข ย ย ย ย Guide the establishment and seasonal implementation of FFS groups, ensuring gender and youth inclusion.
โข ย ย ย ย Train and mentor FFS facilitators, extension agents, and lead farmers in participatory learning methods, adult education approaches, and field experimentation cycles.
โข ย ย ย ย Develop practical field protocols for measuring soil cover, residue retention, soil quality indicators, crop performance, and water-use efficiency.
โข ย ย ย ย Ensure proper documentation, reporting, and monitoring of FFS performance, farmer learning outcomes, and adoption trends.
โข ย ย ย ย Introduce farmer-to-farmer learning platforms, including field days, exchange visits, and local innovation demonstrations.
โข ย ย ย ย Support the institutionalization of FFS within national extension structures, including capacity strengthening and quality assurance mechanisms.
โข ย ย ย ย Develop comprehensive training curricula and materials for FFS, extension units, LPAs, farmers' organizations, and advisory services on CSA/CA, SALM, sustainable crop production, seed systems, IPM, and protected cultivation.
โข ย ย ย ย Deliver targeted training and mentoring programmes to local specialists, extension agents, farmer associations, and advisory service providers.
โข ย ย ย ย Implement a capacity-building programme for the National Extension Agency to enhance the quality, reach, and effectiveness of CSA/CA-related advisory services.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide technical guidance and capacity building on green technologies (drip irrigation, mulching, protected horticulture, digital advisory tools, renewable-energy-based farm solutions).
โข ย ย ย ย Provide inputs to needs assessments, value chain analyses, and technical studies on climate-resilient agriculture, crop production, seed systems, and SALM integration.
โข ย ย ย ย Support economic impact assessments and complementary analytical studies related to climate-risk reduction, production efficiency, SALM adoption, and smallholder competitiveness.
โข ย ย ย ย Contribute to awareness campaigns, communication materials, policy briefs, and knowledge products on CSA/CA/SALM, DRM, sustainable crop production, and climate-resilient technologies.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย ย ย Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, climate change, agronomy, horticulture, or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.ย
โข ย ย ย ย At least five years of relevant experience in agronomy, climate change, crop production and protection, seed system in the field preferably including experience on main crops of the region.
โข ย ย ย ย Full proficiency/Working knowledge of English, French, Spanish Arabic, Chinese or Russian
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย ย ย Communication
โข ย ย ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
โข ย ย ย ย Good communication and writing skills
โข ย ย ย ย Work experience in more than one location or area of workย
โข ย ย ย ย Work experience in the implementation of projects in agriculture in the region will be an assetย
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience and skills in project management at field level.ย
โข ย ย ย ย Experience with climate risk management tools, early warning systems, climate information
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in the development and management of technical projects in relation to crop production and protection, seed system management, including seeds in emergency and climate smart agriculture.
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of experience the analysis and formulation of projects and strategies for sustainability improvement in agriculture sector.
โข ย ย ย ย Extent and relevance of knowledge in sustainable crop production, ecosystem management, plant protection with particular emphasis on drafting and implementing resilient agriculture projects.