The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing the AquaVita Mozambique Project (GCP/MOZ/150/AUS) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment and Fisheries (MAAP), with financial support from the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).
The project aims to promote a transformative shift in the agricultural sector by strengthening resilient food systems and inclusive value chains, with particular emphasis on empowering smallholder farmers, especially women and youth, in targeted districts.
Key areas of intervention include the establishment and strengthening of Farmer Field Schools (FFS), promotion of climate-resilient production systems (including conservation agriculture, agroforestry and polycropping systems), facilitation of access to agricultural inputs through an e-voucher system, and provision of training on water-saving practices, nutrition and sustainable natural resource management.
To support project implementation, FAO is recruiting District Field Technicians based in Machanga and Chibabava Districts, Sofala Province.

Reporting Lines

The District Field Technician will report directly to the Project Coordinator and work in close collaboration with the Project Experts, under the overall supervision of the Technical Advisor.

Technical Focus

Rural extension and advisory services; Farmer organization and capacity development; Sustainable agricultural production systems; Agricultural input distribution and e-voucher systems; Market-based approaches and Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA); Sustainable land management and agroforestry; Water-saving practices and climate resilience; Nutrition-sensitive agriculture and community nutrition.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Organize and strengthen smallholder farmers into Farmer Field Schools (FFS) to facilitate access to extension services, training and capacity-building activities.
• Support the implementation of agricultural input distribution mechanisms, including e-voucher systems for seeds, fertilizers and agricultural tools, through beneficiary registration, awareness raising, monitoring and reporting. Support participating agrodealers with documentation, training, troubleshooting and mobile sales activities.
• Promote Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices, including: Agroforestry systems (e.g. fruit trees and native timber species); Conservation agriculture practices such as minimum tillage, soil cover and crop rotation; Polycropping and diversified farming systems.
• Support the implementation of Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) initiatives through farmer mobilization, farm mapping, data collection and farmer registration processes.
• Promote the adoption of water-saving technologies and practices to improve agricultural productivity and resilience to climate variability.
• Facilitate nutrition-sensitive agriculture interventions and community-based nutrition activities, including: Mother care groups; Cooking demonstrations; Home gardens; Hygiene and sanitation awareness; Family nutrition and health promotion.
• Actively support the collection, verification and timely submission of field data using approved tools and digital platforms, while coordinating with farmers, local authorities, agrodealers, and implementing partners.
• Support coordination with local authorities, community leaders, service providers and other project stakeholders.
• Support the identification, onboarding and capacity development of agrodealers and other service providers participating in project interventions, ensuring compliance with project procedures and facilitating their engagement in rural service delivery.
• Support farmer mobilization, beneficiary registration, farms mapping, and monitoring of the adoption of promoted Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs), agroforestry systems, and other field-based project interventions at community level.
• Support the documentation of lessons learned, farmer success stories, field innovations, and good practices to contribute to the project Learning Agenda, adaptive management, organizational learning, and project visibility.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agronomy, Rural Extension, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Nutrition, or a related field.
• At least 2 years of relevant experience in rural extension, farmer training, agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, nutrition, or related areas.
• Working knowledge of English and Portuguese
• National of Mozambique

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated experience working with smallholder farmers and community-based development approaches.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered an asset: Farmer Field Schools (FFS); Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Management; Agricultural value chains and market linkages; Seed systems and input distribution; Climate-smart agriculture; E-voucher or digital farmer registration systems.
• Good knowledge of the local language(s) spoken in Sofala Province.

Selection Criteria

• Valid 125cc motorbike driving license and experience in driving in difficult terrain

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION