Agro Ecology- Expert - The Green Evolution: Pathways to Transforming Food Systems Project

Job Description

Title: Agro Ecology- Expert - The Green Evolution: Pathways to Transforming Food Systems Project

Company Name: Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB)

Vacancy: 1

Age: 30 to 56 years

Job Location: Sylhet (Goainghat, Zakiganj)

Salary: Tk. 65000 - 70000 (Monthly)

Experience:

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Master of Science (MSc)

• MSc. in Agro-Ecology, Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Science, or a related field.

• At least 5 years
• The applicants should have experience in the following business area(s): NGO

• Age 30 to 56 years

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in agro-ecology, sustainable agriculture, or a related field, preferably in Bangladesh or South Asia.
• Proven experience in implementing agro-ecological practices and working with rural communities.
• Extensive experience working directly with smallholder farmers and rural communities, particularly in Bangladesh or similar contexts.
• Strong understanding of ecological principles and their application in agriculture.
• Excellent training and capacity-building skills.
• Experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation of agricultural projects.
• Strong communication and report-writing skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery of results within budget constraints.
• Experiences in value chain promotion.
• Experience in promoting agroecology practices by engaging the private sector and government departments
• Practical experiences on village development planning process and execution.
• Good oral and written communication skills and substantial experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting
• Experiences in capturing learnings, innovations and best practices including writing case stories and dissemination
• Skill in Computer software as MS-Office, MS Excel and MS Power Point.
• Practical knowledge and experiences on IEC/BCC materials development.
• Ability to drive motorcycle with having valid driving license.
• Ability to generate new ideas/innovation and ways of working to continuously improve existing work processes, practices, and concepts.
• Ability to work in a team and with good networking and interpersonal skills.

Friends in Village Development Bangladesh (FIVDB) is going to implement the “The Green Evolution: Pathways to Transforming Food Systems in India, Bangladesh and Nepal” project funded by the Welthungerhilfe (WHH).

In recent decades, there has been a global collapse of food systems, especially local food systems, caused by neoliberalism, industrialization, "super-marketing" and commercialization combined with ecological collapse. Women, as well as smallholder and marginal farmers, are particularly hard hit by worsening inequalities, job insecurity and social unrest. It is clear from the following facts that existing food systems do not meet people`s needs and need to be redesigned, taking full account of socio-cultural interactions, issues of justice and, in particular, the needs of the poorest, who spend most of their income on food. The international community accepted this overarching goal and made efforts to work towards food security . Recently, the United Nations convened the Food Systems Summit to "raise awareness in the world that we all need to work together to change the way the world produces, consumes, and thinks about food." The proposed project aims to develop a transition pathway to sustainable food systems aligned with the SDGs in three selected South Asian countries that rank low globally in the relevant indices calculated for 2022.

A fundamental transformation of food systems is needed to meet the evolv-ing and future needs of consumers and producers and the vital resources available. Food systems encompass the various activities, people, and places involved in the production, processing, distribution, preparation, and consumption of food, as well as the outcomes of these interactions in the fields of food and nutrition, socio-economics, and the environment. Sustainable and resilient food systems provide food security for all, without jeopardising the economic, social and environmental foundations for food security for future generations, and can adapt and transform in the face of shocks and pressures.

Therefore, project main aims to:

Level/Step 1: Increasing the efficiency of industrial and conventional processes to reduce the use and consumption of expensive, scarce or polluting inputs.

Level/Step 2: Replacement of industrial/conventional equipment and processes with alternative processes.

Level/Step 3. Transforming the agroecosystem so that it functions on the basis of a new set of ecological processes. At this level, fundamental changes to the overall design of the system eliminate the root causes of many of the problems that persist at levels 1 and 2.

Level/Step 4. Restoring a more direct link between food producers and consumers.

The project will identify the gaps and develop farm and landscape models based on agroecology principles. The lessons learned will be transferred to larger areas and levels through training and capacity building. Finally, the knowledge developed is brought to bear in the representation of interests at national, regional and international level.

As an implementing partner FIVDB will implement in Zakiganj and Gowainghat Upazila under Sylhet district. The duration of the project is up to May, 2028, and the job is contractual for the project period. The position will be recruited for implementing market and value chain related activities at the Project locations with substantial field activities.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Agro-Ecology Expert will play a key role in driving the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices within the "Green Evolution" project. This expert will be responsible for integrating ecological principles into farming systems, enhancing the resilience of local food systems, and promoting biodiversity conservation. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in agro-ecology, sustainable agriculture, and a deep understanding of the local context in Bangladesh.

• Lead the design and implementation of agro-ecological practices within the project, ensuring they are tailored to the local environment and socio-economic conditions of Bangladesh.

• Provide technical guidance and training to local farmers, community organizations, and project partners on sustainable agricultural practices, including organic farming, soil health management, crop diversification, and integrated pest management.

• Conduct field research to assess the effectiveness of agro-ecological interventions and contribute to the development of innovative solutions to enhance food system resilience.

• Oversee the collection, management, and analysis of agricultural and ecological data to inform project decisions and contribute to scientific knowledge.

• Organize workshops, seminars, and training sessions to build the capacity of stakeholders, including farmers, extension workers, and local NGOs, in agro-ecological practices.

• Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track the progress and impact of agro-ecological practices, making adjustments as needed to achieve project goals.

• Prepare detailed reports, case studies, and publications on the outcomes and lessons learned from the project to share with stakeholders and contribute to broader knowledge dissemination.

• Promote gender equity and social inclusion in all aspects of project implementation, ensuring that marginalized groups have access to the benefits of agro-ecological practices.

• Develop educational materials, manuals, and other resources to disseminate knowledge on agro-ecology to a broader audience, including farmers, extension agents, and policymakers.

• Organize linkage building meeting with FPO, SMEs, producers and community service provider and market actors.

• Ensure the activities of the project site according to the DIP (Details Implementation Plan).

• Assist the project staffs to implement of the oversight plan, reporting back to the Project Coordinator on any observed successes and challenges, and make useful correction.

• Capable to meet the donor requirement on Information/Data collection and report preparation as well as data analysis.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and yearly progress report and submit to project Coordinator.

• Participate in project planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring of progress.

• Maintain close collaboration with District and Upazila administration and local authority.

• Support field staffs to establish demonstration agroecology practices and technologies.

• Any other activities will be performed that’s assigned by organization and Donor agency.

• Weekly 2 holidays,Mobile bill
• Salary Review: Yearly
• Festival Bonus: 1

As per the project policy of FIVDB and the budgeted provision of this project.