Consultancy – Capacity Building of GCF Knuckles project

Reference number: 2514
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Consultancy
Duty station: Sri Lanka
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

The GCF Knuckles project focuses on both up- and down-stream areas of the Knuckles region for overcoming barriers and constraints that land users face when adapting to climate change by a) assisting people to adopt improved natural resource management, principally in the upstream catchment area while addressing efficient use of irrigation water and food security downstream (Component 1); b) setting in place sustainable financing to enable people to invest in catchment protection and sustainable land use (Component 2); and c) providing institutional support to develop appropriate governance mechanisms, information systems, and rural advisory services capable of delivering appropriate land use options across the project area (Component 3).

ICRAF plays a prominent role in Component 2 and 3; out of 18 key activities listed in the proposal, ICRAF is directly responsible for six coming under these two Components whilst supporting the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land & Irrigation (MoLLI) in the execution of other activities falling into all three components. Capacity building related to human resources of relevant institutions and rural advisory services is an integral element in all activities executed by ICRAF. In includes but not limited to training on green value chain upgrade, payment for ecosystem services and sustainable land management aspects with the identification of knowledge gaps.

Despite initial delay in the implementation, the project activities at present are on a fast track and therefore, capacity building is also to be attended without any interruption. Having very limited staff working full-time in the GCF project activities, ICRAF requires additional human resource support to meet the needs in stakeholder capacity building. Officially, the project spans only up to February 2026 although a no-cost extension is sought till the end of 2028. On that ground, having a competent person onboard as a consultant in capacity development is proposed to assist the project management in such aspects. This position will involve in engaging with implementing agencies to assist in identifying sustainable land management practices under different contexts and their knowledge gaps, looking for potential educational & skill development agencies which could support for knowledge upgrade of needy implementing agencies, reviewing existing training materials available at relevant agencies for their potential use, dealing with suitable agencies for generating training materials & their use and ultimately, assuring ICRAF delivering required outputs for effective project implementation.

The person recruited for this position will operate from the ICRAF Country Office in Colombo and also, need to travel to the project area on demand. Also, the person requires to have both theoretical and practical knowledge in agricultural and environmental sectors, as well as landscape approaches. Additionally, the person should possess strong language competency in both English & Sinhalese, particularly in writing & communication, skills in developing study materials and connect to broad networks in project operation.

Duties and responsibilities

This assignment primarily aims to fill the existing gaps in the Project implementation with respect to capacity development needs of stakeholders as identified in the project proposal.

The consultant is expected to assist the ICRAF GCF Project implementation team in designing, developing, and delivering capacity development programmes for partners and stakeholders involved in the project. It requires facilitating extensive coordination and collaboration with government and non-government entities to mobilize resources and institutionalize capacity-building initiatives in alignment with project objectives. In doing so, it is required to build up evidence-based approaches aligning with the ground level interventions whilst attending to appropriate record maintenance and reporting.

Terms of Reference;

• Conduct root-cause analysis of key constraints (barriers) for the best practices in sustainable land management practices under different contexts and knowledge gaps for their adoption.
• Review status quo stakeholder institutions in terms of their capacity to promote sustainable land management (SLM) practices and develop a detailed work plan for capacity building of them with appropriate approaches in consultation with the ICRAF project management and relevant scientists. This includes a review of existing training materials available at relevant agencies for their potential use.
• Collate the capacity development needs of stakeholders liaising with relevant project staff on potential green value chain upgrade, SLM and payment for ecosystem services.
• Develop suitable learning/training materials and guides with appropriate agencies & their use in the project area
• Organize and conduct stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops at different levels as required for capacity development.
• Implement the structured integrated capacity development programme in coordination with ICRAF and PMU of the MoALLI.
• Configure and maintain all learning/training material in an online learning management system with easy access to the learner
• Maintain records on stakeholder engagements (e.g. prior notice, list of attendances and contacts, gallery of photos, agenda & minutes preparation)

Activities include:

1. Project based scoping and root-cause analysis of key constraints (barriers) for the best practices in sustainable land management practices, upgrading value chain of crops and payment for ecosystem services under different contexts and knowledge gaps for their adoption.
   Timeline: At the end of 2 weeks
2. Comprehensive review on status quo stakeholder institutions in terms of their capacity to promote sustainable land management practices, upgrading crop value chain and payment for ecosystem services with a detailed work plan liaising with the ICRAF project management.
   Timeline: At the end of 4 weeks
3. Developed integrated capacity building programme with appropriate approaches and the agreements of contributions from the stakeholders with following documents:
   a. Specific capacity development needs of stakeholders to meet the project’s theory of change, in liaison with relevant project staff both in ICRAF and MoALLI
   b. Database of existing training materials and resource personnel available at relevant agencies and their potential uses
   c. Plan to develop/ acquire new training materials
   d. Implementation schedule with time and venues and prospective participants
   Timeline: At the end of 08 weeks
4. Initiate the delivery of training programmes with stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops at different levels as required for capacity development.
   Timeline: Throughout the period
5. Complete the development of Learning management systems and to maintain training materials of appropriate agencies & promoting their use.
   Timeline: At the end of 16 weeks

Deliverables

1. Submission and acceptance of a report on root-cause analysis of key constraints (barriers) for the best practices in sustainable land management practices, upgrading value chain of crops and payment for ecosystem services under different contexts and knowledge gaps for their adoption, together.
   Timeline: At the end of 2 weeks
2. Submission and acceptance of a comprehensive review on status quo stakeholder institutions in terms of their capacity to promote sustainable land management practices and a detailed work plan for capacity building of them with appropriate approaches liaising with the ICRAF project management and relevant scientists, together with a description on stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops organized and conducted at different levels as required for capacity development during the reporting period.
   Timeline: At the end of 4 weeks
3. Submission and acceptance of a report on integrated capacity building programme with appropriate approaches and the agreements of contributions from the stakeholders with following documents:
   • Specific capacity development needs of stakeholders to meet the project’s theory of change, in liaison with relevant project staff both in ICRAF and MoALLI
   • Database of existing training materials and resource personnel available at relevant agencies and their potential uses
   • Plan to develop/ acquire new training materials
   • Implementation schedule with time and venues and prospective participants,
   Together with a description on stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops organized and conducted at different levels as required for capacity development during the reporting period.
   Timeline: At the end of 8 weeks
4. Submission and acceptance of a report on the capacity development conducted, together with a description on stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops organized and conducted at different levels as required for capacity development during the reporting period.
   Timeline: At the end of 12 weeks
5. Submission and acceptance of the suitable training materials developed with appropriate agencies & their use in the project area liaising with relevant project staff both in ICRAF and MoALLI, together with a description on stakeholder engagements, meetings/workshops organized and conducted at different levels as required for capacity development during the reporting period.
   Timeline: At the end of 16 weeks

Education, knowledge and experience

· Postgraduate degree in Agriculture/Science/Forestry/Plantation management or in any other relevant field.
· 3 years of experience in academic or training programme design and development in the field of science.
· Knowledge and experience in communication/media/marketing/ agroforestry systems/ watershed & landscape management and the use of information technology will be an added qualification.
· Minimum of 5 years’ experience in editorial work and technology transfer to rural communities, along with teamwork (priority will be given for those who worked on time bound projects successfully).
· Demonstrated experience in managing multiple implementation activities and budgets will be an added bonus.
· Fluency in both English and Sinhalese with communication and report writing skills, particularly in English.

Terms and conditions

· This is a consultancy position.
· The Period of consultancy is 4 months, considering the presently approved project period, and extendable based on performance and funding availability.
· Work location: Colombo/ Matale.

To apply, please visit our career site at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org/about/work-with-us/
To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor-icraf.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 08 Nov 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.