Call for Interest: Senior Consultant Plant Breeding & Agroecology, Rome

Job Title : Call for Interest: Senior Consultant Plant Breeding & Agroecology (Retainer, 90 days, until Dec 2027)

ID : 29485

Location : HOME

Date of issue : 06/27/2025

Close Date : (Midnight, Rome Time) 07/13/2025

Organizational Unit : Sust. Prd. Mkts. & Instit.

Full/Part Time : Full-Time

Regular/Temporary : Temporary

Assignment Duration : Grade : C-1

Organizational Setting

The assignment is to commence in July 2025, upon selection.

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency dedicated to eradicating rural poverty and hunger. It does so by investing in rural people. IFAD finances programmes and projects that increase agricultural productivity and raise rural incomes and resilience, and advocates at the local, national and international level for policies that contribute to rural and food systems transformation.

The Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (PMI) plays a key role in delivering sound technical leadership to the IFAD investment portfolio. In particular, the PMI Natural Resources Management (NRM) Desk has been leading IFAD's work on agroecology, sustainable food systems and resilience, including developing the

• Stock-take report on agroecology in IFAD operations- (2021) and the
• How to do Note: Designing for and monitoring resilience for vulnerable rural households- (RDMT) (2022). In collaboration with the agronomist team the NRM desk has also led several grant projects with partners to pilot evolutionary plant breeding (EPB) under organic farming conditions to boost small-scale farmers access to and capacity to manage their plant genetic resources. Evolutionary Plant Breeding is a promising approach where mixtures of varieties are cultivated as a population or a mixture that is able to adapt to local pressures given the high level of genetic diversity in the mixture/population. Building farmers capacities in selecting and managing these populations has shown to enable them to develop resilient and well performing crops under low-input production conditions and with increasing climate variability and change.

Building on the findings of the Agroecology stocktake, IFAD PMI NRM Desk has concluded in 2022 a Supplementary Funds (SF) agreement with the Belgian Development Cooperation and the European Commission, to launch the 5 years Global Programme for Small-scale Agroecology Producers and Sustainable Food Systems Transformation (GP-SAEP). The GP-SAEP is implemented under the umbrella of PMI and the technical leadership of the NRM Desk from 1 January 2023 until 31 December 2027. The programme is implemented with IFAD's four regional divisions for Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), which are responsible for the overall IFAD programme of loans and grants, and the Environment and Social Inclusion Division also having a key role in IFAD country teams supporting the investment portfolio.

Job Role

The overall goal of the programme is to contribute to the transition to sustainable agri-food systems for the benefit of the rural poor. The development objective is to enable rural small-scale producers to strengthen their practice of agroecology through better access to knowledge, support services, improved technologies and market outlets thereby improving their resilience to climatic, environmental and socio-economic shocks and stressors as well as food and nutrition security and incomes.

The programme is structured around 4 components, listed below, within which additional grant funding is provided to investment operations in IFAD's portfolio pursuing an agroecology approach to sustainable food systems in countries in Africa and LAC.

GP-SAEP components:

• Improving access to bio-solutions (seeds, organic fertilisers and bio-pesticides), mechanical equipment and digital technologies adapted to small-scale agroecology farming practices;
• Strengthening value addition and markets for agroecological produce harnessing sustainable food system benefits;
• Increasing small-scale producers' access to agroecological Rural Advisory Services (RAS) and farmer-to-farmer joint learning - this component is outsourced to GFRAS;
• Expanding the Economic and Financial Analysis of investments (EFA+) taking into account avoided negative externalities and broader medium to long term food system sustainability benefits.

Under the component 1 a trinational subproject, Mejoramiento participativo de los recursos genéticos y sistemas de semillas para la producción agroecológica (Raíces Agroecológicas), has been developed involving agricultural research and technology development institutions in Argentina (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria - INTA), Bolivia (Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agropecuaria y Forestal - INIAF), and Brazil (Empresa Brasileña de Investigación Agropecuaria - EMBRAPA). The objective of Raíces Agroecológicas is to promote farmers' access to an increased diversity of varieties and populations of seeds adapted to local conditions. The expected results are: The expected outcomes are: i) public extension technicians and producer organizations trained in participatory genetic improvement methodologies and agrobiodiversity diagnosis and recovery; ii) genetic resources conserved in situ, in the fields and communities of empowered farmers with independent access to seeds; and iii) new local varieties and populations adapted, improved, and developed by small producers.

These will be achieved through five main activities implemented by EMBRAPA, INIAF and INTA in collaboration with NGOs and farmers organisations in the three countries.

Key Functions and Results

• Training and capacitating of 440 technicians, researchers and farmers in participatory plant breeding using a methodology developed by a plant geneticist and team in EMPRAPA (Mejoramiento Genético Participativo MGP) and EPB as well as cultivation of agroecology corridors and conservation of seeds.
• Participatory diagnostic of agrobiodiversity and its relation to social and environmental conditions in 200 communities to identify varieties and their characteristics benefitting the communities, priority crops and gaps in plant genetic resources to meet local challenges.
• Development and implementation of strategies for recovery and conservation of varieties of crops identified in the diagnostic including through community seed banks or networks of individual farmer seed banks, and cultivation in agroecology corridors supporting the conservation in situ.
• Facilitation of MGP and EPB to achieve better adapted and performing local varieties and populations/mixtures and build farmers' capacities in managing their plant genetic resources.
• Knowledge management and south-south exchange between the three participating countries and beyond.

Objective: The objective of this consultancy is to provide high quality expert support for the development of the EPB strategies, trials and evaluation of results with farmers, technicians and researchers as well as train them in EPB both in theory and praxis giving examples from other countries where EPB has been successfully implemented. This will primarily be with the partners in the three countries participating in Raíces Agroecológicas but could also be with the partners and the countries in Africa adopting EPB under GP-SAEP.

Activities: To achieve the objective the consultant will, under the supervision of the PMI, LGTS - LT&NRM and in collaboration with the GP-SAEP and IFAD project delivery teams, conduct the following activities:

• Prepare training material and deliver virtual and in-person training sessions in EPB with small-scale resource poor farmers for technicians and scientists participating in Raíces Agroecológicas and beyond. Include:
  • how it works and what challenges faced by small-scale farmers it is particularly suitable for addressing;
  • examples of successful implementation of EPB in other countries evidenced by data;
  • success factors, and adoption barriers;
  • which crops and conditions seems more suited for successful EPB than others;
  • what we know about climate resilience and nutrition benefits;
  • lay out the step-by-step in setting up different EPB strategies and processes with farmers (how to make the initial populations;
  • logbooks for monitoring their performance and evolution compared to controls;
  • how to select next year's population/mixtures;
  • how to conserve and maintain the evolutionary strength of the populations/mixtures to adapt;
  • etc.
• Support the implementing partners in Raíces Agroecológicos (INTA, INIAF, EMBRAPA and NGOs) in developing a EPB plan for the project areas and participating farming communities in the three countries including crops to focus on, types of trials and parameters to be monitored (e.g. yield, soil moisture, rainfall, pest and diseases) and develop step-by-step guides.
• Provide virtual technical assistance as needed to the implementing partners between the missions.
• Support the data analysis from the trials and writing of technical reports documenting results and lessons learned.

Key Performance Indicators

• Consultant delivers virtual and in-person trainings using appropriate material tailored to EPB and agroecology.
• Consultant supports partners in the design and implementation of EPB trials and selection protocols.
• Active and timely technical assistance is provided (both in-country and virtual).
• Clear step-by-step EPB implementation strategies are developed with participating institutions.
• Analysis of trial data and lessons learned are incorporated into final technical documentation.
• Knowledge sharing and south-south collaboration facilitated among countries involved.

Working Relationships

The consultant will participate in technical support missions to Argentina, Brazil and Bolivia and eventual countries in Africa as need be. A separated TA and budget will be set for each of those.

The consultant will work under the supervision of the PMI, LGTS - LT&NRM and in collaboration with the GP-SAEP and IFAD project delivery teams. Coordination with implementing partners (INTA, INIAF, EMBRAPA and NGOs) in the Latin American countries and potentially African counterparts will be required.

Job Profile Requirements

Organizational

• Ability to work autonomously at local level and report efficiently to remote coordinators and supervisors to ensure a fluent decision-making process.
• Strong inter-personal skills combined with systematic and regular in-person meeting, verbal and/or written follow-up as appropriate.
• Demonstrating leadership: Personal leadership and attitude to change.
• Learning, sharing knowledge and innovating: Demonstrates strong abilities as a trainer of lay people in the principles and practices of EPB, including through the development of visual guides and logbooks.
• Focusing on clients: Works directly with small-scale resource-poor farmers to meet local needs through participatory methods.
• Problem solving and decision making: Demonstrates capacity to support partners in trial design, implementation and data interpretation under diverse agroecological contexts.
• Managing time, resources and information: Able to deliver targeted training and technical support during crop seasons and adapt to country-level implementation needs.
• Team work: Works in close collaboration with international and national stakeholders including NGOs, researchers, and rural communities.
• Communicating and negotiating: Fluent in English speaking and writing; Spanish or Portuguese is an asset.
• Building relationships and partnerships: Experience working with diverse stakeholders such as INTA, INIAF, EMBRAPA, NGOs, and farmer organisations.

Technical/Functional

• In-depth theoretical and practical knowledge of Evolutionary Plant Breeding (EPB), demonstrated through publications or documents.
• At least three years of practical EPB experience, preferably with small-scale farmers in low- or middle-income countries.
• Proven ability to develop training materials and deliver both virtual and in-person training sessions on EPB.
• Experienced in planning and supporting EPB trials, monitoring parameters like yield, soil moisture, rainfall, pests, and diseases.
• Skilled in supporting data analysis and preparing technical reports on trial results and lessons learned.
• Ability to provide ongoing virtual technical assistance and conduct technical support missions in Latin America and Africa.
• Results-oriented, capable of delivering high-quality outputs under limited supervision.
• Effective communicator and collaborator with diverse stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications / Requirements

Education Advanced university degree from an accredited institution listed on https://whed.net/home.php (Master's or Ph.D.) in plant genetics, plant breeding, agronomy, or a related field.

Experience At least three years of practical experience in EPB, preferably with small-scale farmers in low- or middle-income countries. Prior experience in training and supporting technicians, farmers and researchers in EPB methodologies.

Language requirements Fluency in English (Level 4 - Excellent). Working knowledge of Spanish or Portuguese is an asset.

Other information

IFAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic, social or political background, colour, nationality, religion, age, gender, disability, marital status, family size or sexual orientation.

Please be aware of fraudulent job offers. IFAD does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Official communication from IFAD will always come from e-mails ending in @ifad.org.

In the interest of making most cost-effective use of funds and resources, we are only able to respond to applicants who are short-listed for interview. Candidates who do not receive any feedback within three months should consider their application unsuccessful. Given the diverse technical nature of the assignments, IFAD is looking for consultants of varying ability above the minimum threshold stated.

Consultancies play a critical role in the execution of IFAD's mandate and our impact on the ground. Applicants to this call for interest might undergo a first level screening and those candidates meeting the minimum requirements will undergo a more in-depth assessment.

Consultants are not considered IFAD staff. This consultancy assignments does not carry any expectation of employment, extension or conversion to another type of contract with the Fund. Remuneration will be in line with the standards set for UN consultants.

Consultants can be recruited for a maximum of 240 days in 1 calendar year and 960 days in 5 calendar years.