Asian Disaster Preparedness Center
ADPC is an autonomous international organization with a vision to reduce disaster and climate risk impacts on communities and countries in Asia and the Pacific by working with governments, development partners, international organizations, NGOs, civil society, private sector, media, and other key stakeholders. Established in 1986 as a technical capacity-building center, ADPC has grown and diversified its expertise across social…
Agriculture is the key economic sector of Nepal contributing to 35% of national GDP, and employment to 74% of the economically active population. Nearly 30% of the total land area is under Agriculture in Nepal. However, agriculture in Nepal is still subsistence. Nepal is one of the most vulnerable countries due to climate change as per Global Climate Risk Index – 2020 (09th rank). Changes in precipitation and temperature patterns are likely to affect rainfed agricultural activities, causing significant annual yield variability and higher production risks in Terai areas. Frequency of hydro-met hazards is expected to increase due to climate change, further affecting croplands and yields.
Inadequate policies, plans and capacities at provincial and local government levels to the larger extent are responsible for poor growth and development and low resilience to water and weather induced disasters in the agriculture sector. The present agriculture practices are not profitable, competitive, sustainable, and inclusive. To address the challenges faced by the agriculture sector, there is a need to develop climate-smart agriculture with a greater focus on a set of innovative technologies and practices related to i) climate change adaptation, ii) climate change mitigation, and iii) productivity enhancement. There is growing evidence that investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is the way forward to achieving these triple goals and contribute to sustainable and competitive growth of the agriculture sector.
Capacity building and policy facilitation will allow the government to mainstream climate risk management in policy, planning and sectoral investments. The National Consultation organized on April 9, 2021 with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has clearly recommended to focus on building local and provincial capacity and policy process selecting specific geographical locations so that tangible results could be possible within the project life. In this context, Madhesh Province has been selected to implement agriculture sector activities under this project.
To implement the sectoral activities in the Province and select local levels, an individual consultant will be required to facilitate the whole process of delivery of approved annual workplan. The consultant requires to work closely with the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative (MoLMAC), Agriculture Knowledge Centres, Provincial Directorate and research stations NARC at provincial level, selected municipalities/rural municipalities. This terms of reference (ToR) aims to guide a competent consultant to design, organize, coordinate, conduct, and manage the implementation of the planned activities annually with constructive engagement of project team, public, private and farmers’ institutions to achieve the goal of CARE for South Asia project.
C. Statement of Intent
The Resilient Agriculture Specialist – Nepal will provide technical support in analyzing policies that influence provincial and local governments and supporting the government agencies to develop tailored policies and guidelines. This support will include work on CARE for South Asia Project. The Resilient Agriculture Specialist will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Note: It is not the intent of this Terms of Reference to cover every aspect of the position requirements, rather to highlight the most important areas of personal and joint responsibilities.
D. Duties and Responsibilities
The Resilient Agriculture Specialist – Nepal will be contributing towards creating enabling policy environment, build provincial and local government capacity on climate resilient agriculture in Madhesh and Bagmati provinces, Nepal. The detailed scope of work is outlined below:
1. Support Ministry of Agricultural, Land Management and Cooperatives (MoLMAC) to develop resilient agriculture policies and guidelines in Madhesh Province. (In line with Nepal Climate Change Policy 2019 and Agriculture Development Strategies 2015-35, Nepal Climate Smart Agriculture Investment Plan, 2021)
2. Support selected Local Government (Municipalities/Rural Municipality) in Madhesh Province to develop climate-informed agriculture sector policy (2 Local governments) (In line with Nepal Climate Change Policy 2019 and Agriculture Development Strategies 2015-35)
3. Provide technical input to national and sub-national level meetings related to scope of work of this ToR (low level of involvement)
F. Reporting Relationships
The Consultant will report to Project Director, CARE for South Asia Project, Bangkok (Thailand) and work in close coordination with Country Project Lead based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Consultant will provide regular updates to and seek advice and guidance from the Senior Resilient Agriculture Specialist (Bangkok).
G. Contract Duration
The contract duration will be for 120 days stretched over a period of 6 months.
H. Selection Method
The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process and in compliance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations.
Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter to: adpcjobs@adpc.net
Women are especially encouraged to apply.
ADPC encourage diversity in its workplace and support an inclusive work environment.