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Employee Contract Type:

Local – Fixed Term Employee (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

The Agriculture and Climate Resilience Specialist will provide technical leadership for the agriculture and climate components of the “Sustainable and Resilient Future – Ninewa” project under ANCP Phase Two. The role focuses on promoting climate-smart agriculture and resilience practices, developing tailored training materials for farmers, and delivering capacity-building sessions when required. The Specialist will lead value chain development initiatives, support agribusiness growth, and strengthen farmer skills through coaching and mentoring. In addition, the position will conduct community mapping to identify agricultural needs and opportunities, and implement regreening initiatives to restore degraded lands and enhance environmental sustainability. Close coordination with the Directorate of Agriculture and other relevant stakeholders at governorate level is essential to ensure effective implementation, sustainability, and alignment with local priorities.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership and Program Design

· Lead technical design and implementation of agriculture and climate resilience components, including climate-smart farming practices, regreening initiatives, and sustainable land management. Provide coaching and mentoring to farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.

· Ensure integration of climate risk analysis and adaptation measures into all agriculture-related activities.

· Provide technical guidance on crop production, soil and water management, rangeland management, and sustainable livelihoods.

· Support the development of work plans, budgets, and technical proposals.

Climate Change and Resilience Integration

· Conduct or support climate vulnerability and risk assessments at community and value-chain levels.

· Promote adaptive practices such as drought-resistant crops, water-efficient irrigation, soil conservation, and agroecology.

· Ensure alignment with national climate strategies and local environmental priorities.

· Conduct community mapping to identify agricultural needs, climate risks, and opportunities for intervention. Use findings to inform project planning and training content.

· Design and deliver tailored training programs for project farmers on climate-smart agriculture, value chain development, and agribusiness. Develop training materials and tools adapted to local context.

Capacity Building and Community Engagement

· Build the capacity of farmers, producer groups, local partners, and project staff on climate-resilient agriculture practices.

· Develop and deliver training materials, guidelines, and technical tools.

· Support participatory approaches, ensuring inclusion of women, youth, and vulnerable groups.

· Implement project activities in accordance with the project guidelines and targets and work closely with the other partners and coordinator to mitigate the project management and implementation challenges faced.

Coordination and Partnership

· Engage with local authorities, research institutions, NGOs, climate resilience coordination and technical working groups, private sector actors involved in agriculture and climate resilience.

· Support partner selection, technical assessment, and ongoing capacity strengthening.

· Coordinate with stakeholders, including Directorate of Agriculture, NGOs, and UN agencies, to ensure alignment and sustainability of project activities.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL)

· Contribute to the development of indicators related to agriculture productivity, climate resilience, and livelihoods outcomes.

· Support data collection, analysis, and learning related to climate adaptation and agriculture interventions.

· Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories.

Compliance and Reporting

· Ensure activities comply with donor requirements, organizational policies, and environmental safeguards.

· Contribute to high-quality donor reports, technical briefs, and progress updates.

· Support audits, evaluations, and learning reviews as required.

Perform other duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Required Education, training, license, registration, and/or
Certification

· Master’s degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Natural Resource Management, Climate Change, or a related field.

· A Bachelor’s degree with at least 7 years of relevant experience may be considered in place of a Master’s.

· Relevant certifications in agricultural extension, agribusiness development, or climate-smart agriculture are an asset.

Required Professional Experience

· Minimum of 5 years of experience in training and capacity building in agriculture, agribusiness, water management, or climate change.

· Proven experience in implementing agricultural development projects, including value chain development, entrepreneurship, and small grants management.

· Experience working with government institutions, NGOs, and international development agencies.

Required Language(s)

· Proficiency in English (spoken and written).

· Capacity to carry training materials and equipment as needed.

Required travel and/or work environment accommodations

• The position is based in Ninewa-Mosul.
• Willingness to travel frequently within Ninewa Governorate, including rural and field locations. (Up to 80% of the time)
• Ability to work in a multicultural and occasionally high-pressure environment.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing project needs and field conditions.

Position’s physical requirements

• Ability to conduct field visits in rural/agricultural settings, which may involve walking on uneven terrain and exposure to outdoor conditions.
• Capacity to carry training materials and equipment as needed.
• No specific physical limitations, but reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Preferred Experience, Knowledge and/or other Qualifications

• Experience in designing and delivering Training of Trainers (ToT) programs.
• Familiarity with climate-smart agriculture, sustainable land management, and water conservation techniques.
• Strong facilitation, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Knowledge of local agricultural systems, market dynamics, and value chains in Iraq.
• Experience with donor-funded projects, particularly those funded by UN agencies or international NGOs.

Applicant Types Accepted: