Short-Term Agricultural Production Specialist

[Baghdad,Erbil,Iraq ]

Iraq Durable Communities and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) 

Scope of Work 

 

Short-Term Agricultural Production Specialist 

 

Background 

The Iraq Durable Communities and Economic Opportunities (DCEO) is a United States Agency for International Development Office (USAID) program implemented by Chemonics International in Iraq. DCEO aims to support vulnerable communities to build community resilience against destabilizing factors by increasing their adaptive capacity and economic well-being. 

 

The Business Competitiveness and Job Creation Initiative (BCJCI) is a five-year strategy within DCEO to support private sector firms as they identify and overcome specific business constraints hindering growth. The project will also support local business associations and networks in their work to identify shared impediments to growth and trade and advocate. BCJCI will also provide new opportunities for young Iraqi entrepreneurs to access cutting edge business incubation services and/or receive support that will accelerate the growth of their micro/small businesses. 

 

Reporting 

The Short-Term Agricultural Production Specialist reports to The BCJCI Task Order Director. 

 

Description: The specialist will support BCJCI in their engagement with several agricultural production businesses across Iraq that produce, wheat, barley, corn, sesame, grains, feed, dates, among other crops and produce. The specialist will also look at farming businesses that produce honey and raise cattle, livestock and poultry. The specialist will contribute to the Client Growth Plans (which are prepared by the business counselors) that aims at improving business revenues, expand markets, and create additional employment. 

 

Responsibilities:  

• Assist the BCJCI team in evaluating identified on-farm production firms with the most promising growth opportunities, conduct baseline analysis and expected impact on employment and revenues, identify constraints affecting growth, and provide descriptions of technical assistance needed. 
• Contribute technical analysis to the Client Growth Plans when needed by the business counselor. 
• Providing the client firms with advice on increasing yield and productivity and facilitating access to better markets. 
• Provide firm-level technical assistance to client firms to realize existing growth opportunities. In other cases, the specialist will recommend further technical assistance and the specialists if needed. 

• Identify opportunities to cluster certain farmers/producers into groups or coops should that achieve economies of scale, efficiencies, and greater access to better markets. 
• Highlight shared challenges and sectoral impediments that can be advocated for.  
•  Conduct workshops to the BCJCI team on agribusinesses in Iraq 

Deliverables: The consultant is expected to deliver not limited to but as follows: 

• A summary report on each of the client firm they have engaged with or visited. This summary report should highlight the growth opportunities, recommendations, and analysis for yield optimization. 

• A technical report on the agricultural subsectors (e.g. wheat, date farming, dairy, livestock) selected with the BCJCI leadership. 
• A workshop given to the BCJCI team and other participants from DCEO on farming business in Iraq. 

 

Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in the field of agriculture or agricultural engineering.  

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in the field of agriculture and in managing or advising agribusinesses.  
• Experience in similar USAID-funded projects is preferred. 
• Experience in the Middle East is preferred. 
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to prioritize multiple work assignments in an extremely fast-paced environment, to meet deadlines, and to exercise good, strong professional judgement. 
• Ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with fellow staff members, the general public, and partner institutions. 

• Excellent Writing and Technical Reporting skills 
• Fluency in written and oral English is required.  
• Written and oral fluency in Arabic is preferred.  

 

Period of Performance: Up to 30 days of LOE. 

 

Location of Performance: Work base is in Iraq or remotely depends on the COVID 19 situation in Iraq and travel circumstances within the country. If in Iraq, the specialist is expected to be based in Erbil and to conduct site visits to client firms across Iraq including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Baghdad, Anbar, Basra, and Ninewa.   

Application Instructions 

 

To apply, please visit 

 

https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/6d809685530347dcb338e9ad6ce65e1a

 

Please indicate the name of the position you are applying for. Finalists will be contacted for interviews. 

 

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.