Senior Expert on Farm-Level Sustainability Indicators

Organizational Setting

FAO Azerbaijan is implementing TCP/AZE/4004 “Technical support to the MoA in developing a comprehensive farm sustainability measurement system” with the objective of creating a robust set of farm-level sustainability indicators (environmental, economic, and governance). This system aims to facilitate the green transition at farm level and strengthen evidence-based policymaking for food systems transformation in Azerbaijan.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and REU Policy Officer and the direct operational supervision of the FAOR Azerbaijan, the incumbent will work in close coordination with the AI Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant national experts.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for creating a robust set of farm-level sustainability indicators (environmental, economic, and governance), contributing to a system to facilitate the green transition at farm level and strengthen evidence-based policymaking for food systems transformation in Azerbaijan.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide technical guidance to national experts during the development of new farm-level sustainability indicators, including indicators on fisheries and pasture - management.
•    Review the draft indicators prepared by the national experts and provide technical comments and recommendations to ensure their methodological soundness, consistency and alignment with the overall farm sustainability measurement system.
•    Advise on scoring system/weighting scheme developed for every indicator.
•    Conduct a final technical review of the indicators developed for fisheries and pasture - management.
•    Advise national consultants and provide technical guidance through online meetings, email exchanges and consultations with the project team, the AI Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture and relevant national experts, as required.
•    Participate in online project and task force meetings and provide individual consultations to the national experts on the development and refinement of new indicators, as well as the team working with FDMS database and its improvements, as required.
•    Conduct mission to Azerbaijan to undertake tasks mentioned above.
•    Prepare an End of Assignment Report summarizing the activities undertaken, key results and recommendations.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in agricultural or environmental sciences (e.g., agronomy, natural resource management, sustainability, environmental science) or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•    At least 5 years’ experience in developing or applying farm-level sustainability assessments 
•    Working knowledge of English

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Selection Criteria

•    Proven experience in developing or applying farm-level sustainability assessment frameworks, including environmental, economic, and social/governance indicators.
•    Demonstrated experience in designing or adapting indicator-based methodologies and providing guidance to national teams during implementation.
•    Experience in the analysis of EU member state farm level data from FSDN (farm sustainability data network) or development of sustainability indicators.
•    Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, farm management practices, and sustainability challenges.
•    Experience adapting international methodologies to national contexts and available data.
•    Familiarity with data sources relevant to sustainability measurement (farm records, soil and climate data, remote sensing, administrative datasets).
•    Experience supporting piloting activities, field validation, data collection protocols, and technical troubleshooting.
•    Ability to mentor national experts and deliver practical capacity-building.
•    Strong analytical, writing, facilitation, and stakeholder communication skills.