1. Background 

CESVI Foundation-ETS, with funding support of Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, is implementing a comprehensive project on ‘Resilience & Adaptation by Fostering Anticipatory Action (RAFAA),” in collaboration with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The project aims to strengthen Pakistan’s institutional and community-level resilience against the growing impacts of climate change. Its overarching impact is to bolster national capacity to manage climate risks through sustainable adaptation practices and improved governance frameworks. The main outcome is to ensure that communities in Sindh demonstrate enhanced adaptive capacity and resilience to climate-induced shocks and disasters. This is to be achieved through anticipatory action (AA), robust disaster risk reduction (DRR) mechanisms, improved livelihoods, and the adoption of climate-smart strategies.

2. ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT 

Under Output 2, CESVI will implement gender-sensitive, climate-resilient livelihood and agriculture interventions, including Farmer Field Schools (FFS). The project will establish 200 ( 100 Female FFS, 100 Male FFS)  farmer field schools in Selected FFS communities in Mirpurkhas and Umerkot Districts, Sindh, as identified by CESVI under the RAFAA project. Each FFS will comprise 30 learning sessions covering Rabi and Kharif seasons.

The FFS will use a participatory “learning by doing” approach and will promote Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Conservation Agriculture and climate-resilient farming practices. The existing TOR appropriately identifies key themes including soil fertility, crop diversification, integrated pest management, water conservation, improved seed selection, climate-resilient varieties and nutrition-sensitive agriculture.

The facilitators will be responsible for delivering practical, participatory and technically sound FFS sessions in accordance with the approved FAO/CESVI FFS methodology, seasonal cropping calendar, project workplan and technical guidance.

3. Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the CESVI Project Focal Person and in coordination with the FAO technical team, where required, the FFS Facilitator will be responsible for the following:

A. Technical Delivery

• Deliver FFS sessions in accordance with the approved training plan, session schedule, seasonal cropping calendar and project workplan. 

• Conduct FFS sessions using the participatory “learning by doing” methodology. 

• Use the FFS training manual and technical materials provided or recommended by FAO. 

• Ensure that all technical content delivered to farmers is accurate, practical, evidence-based and relevant to local farming conditions. 

• Integrate Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Conservation Agriculture and climate adaptation principles into FFS sessions. 

• Facilitate practical, field-based demonstrations and learning activities wherever feasible. 

• Provide technical guidance to farmers on the application and adoption of recommended agricultural practices. 

• Adapt practical examples and demonstrations to the local agro-climatic conditions and cropping systems of Mirpurkhas and Umerkot. 

• Coordinate with CESVI field staff to ensure effective planning and implementation of FFS sessions. 

B. Thematic Focus Areas

The FFS sessions will cover, but will not necessarily be limited to, the following areas:

1. Climate-Smart Crop and Vegetable Production

• Improved seed selection, quality assessment and seed treatment. 

• Selection and use of climate-resilient crop varieties. 

• Crop rotation, diversification and intercropping. 

• Soil fertility and nutrient management. 

• Seasonal crop planning based on local agro-climatic conditions. 

• Conservation agriculture and appropriate agronomic practices. 

• Climate-resilient production practices for major Rabi and Kharif crops and vegetables. 

2. Water Resource Management and Soil Conservation

• Efficient and water-saving irrigation practices, including low-cost solutions. 

• Soil moisture conservation and retention techniques. 

• Mulching and use of organic matter. 

• Rainwater harvesting and appropriate water management practices. 

• Soil erosion prevention and soil conservation measures. 

• Efficient use of available water resources under climate-related stresses. 

3. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Identification of major local pests and crop diseases. 

• Preventive crop protection measures. 

• Integrated Pest Management approaches. 

• Promotion of biological, cultural, mechanical and other environmentally appropriate pest control methods. 

• Safe and responsible use, handling, storage and disposal of pesticides. 

• Appropriate use of organic and locally available pest management options. 

4. Nutrition-Sensitive and Diversified Agriculture

• Kitchen gardening and household vegetable production. 

• Seasonal vegetable production. 

• Crop and livelihood diversification at household level, where applicable. 

• Production of nutrient-rich crops and vegetables. 

• Linking agricultural production with household food and nutrition security. 

• Promotion of diverse and locally appropriate food production practices. 

C. FFS Facilitation and Farmer Engagement

• Establish and maintain a participatory and inclusive learning environment within each FFS. 

• Encourage active participation, peer learning and exchange of farmers’ local knowledge and experiences. 

• Use practical exercises, demonstrations, group discussions and field observations to facilitate learning. 

• Ensure meaningful participation of women, youth and other vulnerable or marginalized farmers, as applicable to the assigned FFS. 

• Identify farmers’ technical challenges and provide appropriate guidance or refer issues requiring specialized technical support to the CESVI/FAO technical team. 

• Encourage farmers to apply and demonstrate the practices learned through the FFS in their own fields. 

D.  Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate attendance records for each FFS session. 

• Prepare brief session reports documenting topics covered, activities conducted, participation and key observations. 

• Document practical demonstrations and field-based learning activities, including photographs where appropriate and with required consent. 

• Record key technical issues, farmer feedback and lessons emerging from the FFS. 

• Report challenges, delays or issues affecting FFS implementation to the CESVI Project Focal Person in a timely manner. 

• Support CESVI in monitoring farmers’ knowledge, practices and adoption of promoted climate-resilient agricultural practices. 

• Submit all required documentation and reports within the agreed timeframe. 

E. Coordination and Technical Support

• Coordinate closely with CESVI project and field teams for scheduling and delivery of FFS sessions. 

• Participate in technical meetings, orientations and review sessions organized by CESVI and/or FAO. 

• Seek technical guidance from the FAO technical team on issues requiring specialized expertise. 

• Incorporate relevant technical guidance and feedback from CESVI and FAO into subsequent FFS sessions. 

• Coordinate, where appropriate, with relevant government agriculture extension and other technical services at the local level. 

• Perform any other relevant tasks related to FFS implementation as may be assigned by the CESVI Project Coordinator, based on project needs and priorities.

F. Gender, Inclusion and Safeguarding

• Ensure that FFS sessions are conducted in a safe, respectful and inclusive environment. 

• Apply gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate facilitation approaches. 

• Ensure that women and other vulnerable participants can actively participate in discussions, demonstrations and decision-making. 

• Respect participants’ privacy and confidentiality and comply with CESVI's safeguarding, PSEA, data protection and other applicable policies. 

• Obtain appropriate consent before taking or using photographs or collecting personal information from participants.

4. Deliverables

The FFS Facilitator will be responsible for delivering the following:

• FFS sessions: Conduct the assigned FFS sessions in accordance with the approved training plan, session schedule, seasonal cropping calendar and project workplan. 

• Session plans and technical preparation: Prepare session plans, where required, using the FFS manual and technical materials provided/recommended by FAO. 

• Attendance and session documentation: Maintain complete, session-wise attendance sheets, duly verified by the relevant CESVI field staff. 

• Session completion reports: Prepare brief reports for each completed FFS session, covering topics delivered, key learning points, farmer participation, challenges encountered and recommendations. 

• Practical and photographic documentation: Provide photographic documentation of FFS sessions, field demonstrations and practical learning activities, where appropriate, ensuring required consent and compliance with CESVI safeguarding and data protection requirements. 

• Technical information and feedback: Provide relevant technical information and feedback emerging from FFS sessions, including key agricultural challenges, farmer learning needs, adoption issues and recommendations for improving FFS implementation. 

• Technical support to CESVI: Provide technical recommendations and inputs to CESVI field staff on agricultural practices and issues identified during FFS implementation. 

• Consolidated technical report: Submit a final technical summary at the end of the assignment covering sessions conducted, key achievements, farmer learning, challenges, lessons learned and recommendations.

5. Ethical Standards and Compliance

The FFS Facilitator shall:

• Comply with CESVI's safeguarding, protection, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and anti-harassment policies. 

• Respect humanitarian principles, local customs, cultural norms and community practices. 

• Ensure respectful, inclusive and non-discriminatory engagement with all participants. 

• Maintain confidentiality of project-related information and data. 

• Avoid any actual or potential conflict of interest and immediately disclose any such conflict to CESVI. 

• Obtain appropriate consent before taking or using photographs or collecting personal information from participants. 

• Comply with all relevant CESVI policies, procedures and field-level instructions. 

6. Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, or a related agricultural discipline. 

• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture extension, Farmer Field Schools, community-based agricultural training, or a related field. 

• Demonstrated experience in conducting Farmer Field School sessions and/or practical agricultural training with government institutions, NGOs, INGOs, or development/humanitarian organizations. 

• Practical experience in delivering community-based agricultural training, field demonstrations and farmer-to-farmer learning activities. 

• Experience working with smallholder farmers and rural communities, particularly in Sindh or similar agro-climatic contexts, will be an advantage. 

• Familiarity with Climate-Smart Agriculture, Conservation Agriculture and climate-resilient agricultural practices. 

• Preference will be given to qualified candidates from Mirpurkhas and Umerkot Districts.

Technical and Other Skills

• Good knowledge of FFS facilitation methodologies and participatory adult-learning approaches. 

• Knowledge and practical experience in climate-resilient agriculture, crop and vegetable production, soil and water conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. 

• Knowledge of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and safe and responsible pesticide use. 

• Knowledge of post-harvest handling and basic agricultural value-chain practices will be an advantage. 

• Strong facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage farmers through practical and participatory methods. 

• Ability to communicate effectively in Sindhi and Urdu. Knowledge of English will be an advantage for reviewing technical materials and reporting. 

• Good understanding of local cropping systems and agro-climatic conditions of Mirpurkhas and Umerkot. 

• Good reporting and documentation skills. 

• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with women, men, youth, vulnerable households and diverse community groups. 

• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to assigned FFS communities within Mirpurkhas and Umerkot districts. 

7. Timelines and submission

• Submit your CVs by 23rd September 2026 

• Submission of CVs (maximum 3 pages) along with Cover letter 

• Experience Letter

• Latest Educational Degree/Certificate