"International Consultant/Expert on the Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices"

Региональный экологический центр Центральной Азии 

Recruitment is underway for the position of “International Consultant/Expert on the Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices” 

at the CAREC project office in Turkmenistan.

and requests a CV and a motivation letter in accordance with the terms of reference below:

"International Consultant/Expert on the Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices":

Background

The project " Catalyzing the Nature-Positive Transformation of the Agricultural Sector in Turkmenistan towards Enhanced Resilience to Climate Change ", financed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by FAO in partnership with CAREC and national stakeholders, aims to strengthen the enabling environment for climate-resilient and nature-positive transformation of the agricultural sector in Turkmenistan.

Component 1 of the project focuses on strengthening national policy, regulatory and strategic frameworks to support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, particularly methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), while promoting sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural production systems. The project will support the development of evidence-based policies, sectoral mitigation strategies and investment recommendations, building upon baseline assessments and close collaboration with national institutions and technical experts.

To support these activities, FAO and CAREC seek an International Consultant to provide high-level technical expertise on climate-resilient and nature-positive agricultural practices, agricultural mitigation opportunities, and sustainable agronomic solutions. The consultant will provide technical guidance for the development of mitigation strategies and policy recommendations related to sustainable crop production, strengthening the capacity of agrochemical laboratories and their staff, and training farmers and tenants in the use of NBS in agricultural production and other agricultural systems relevant to Turkmenistan.

Under the overall supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), in close collaboration with the National Project Coordinator, national and international consultants, and relevant government counterparts, the consultant will contribute to the implementation of Components 1 and 2 of the project through the following Terms of Reference:

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Goals and objectives:

a.      Provision of technical expertise in sustainable land use and support for the development, implementation, and monitoring of pilot projects under Component 2 Enhanced adoption of climate-resilient and nature-positive practices in Turkmenistan's agricultural sector. Facilitation of the implementation of Activity 2.1.1.3 Enhance the capacity of soil laboratories, providing recommendations on stakeholder cooperation, and introducing sustainable farming principles.

b.         Provision of technical expertise on sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, directly contributing to the achievement of Output 1.2.2 Developed technical training and communication package on nature-positive transformation in Turkmenistan's agricultural practices for the policymakers, farmers and other relevant stakeholders and Output 2.2.1 Developed and implemented gender-responsive farmers field school plan to respond to climate change impact and apply nature-positive transformation in agriculture.

c.         Conducting training sessions for farmers on climate-smart agriculture, in support of Activity 2.2.1.1: Organizing farmer field schools.

The consultant's involved participation in the implementation of project activities is carried out in accordance with:

·       the strategic goals of Turkmenistan’s national programs on environmental protection and climate change adaptation;

·       Turkmenistan’s obligations under international environmental conventions and agreements;

·       effective international practices for building agricultural resilience;

Carrying out this task requires the engagement of a qualified international expert with experience in leading and implementing long-term environmental projects.

EXPERT DUTIES AND TASKS

85 days

Key responsibilities:

• Assessment of land degradation and restoration needs:
• Conducting field research based on an analysis of available land-use data to identify areas of significant land degradation and determine priority restoration needs.
• Strengthening the capacity of agrochemical laboratories in modern approaches to conducting field studies and collecting and interpreting data;
• Providing technical recommendations and advice to the CAREC Project Office regarding the identification of the necessary equipment, materials, and technical specifications required to strengthen the capacity of partner soil and agrochemical laboratories.
• Assessment of the effectiveness of existing agricultural practices and recommendations for improvement.
• Provision, where necessary, of technical recommendations on sustainable agricultural practices that can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture, particularly methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O).
• Development of guidelines for sustainable land use:
• Preparation of comprehensive guidelines on sustainable land use, adapted to the environmental and socio-economic conditions in the project areas.
• Integration of nature-conserving solutions, including agroforestry, soil fertility conservation methods, and vegetation cover restoration.
• Identification and recommendation of technical parameters and indicators—related to soil condition, land degradation, agricultural practices, and ecosystem restoration—to be tracked within the monitoring system.
• Development and implementation of pilot projects:
• Leading the design of pilot initiatives aimed at restoring degraded lands, promoting sustainable land use, and improving ecosystems.
• Collaborating with national consultants and stakeholders to develop mini-projects for pilot sites, formulate work plans, and implement activities, including:
• Recommendations on integrated production systems (creating combinations of agroforestry, crops, and livestock farming to restore degraded lands);
• Agronomic recommendations for the integration and application of water-saving technologies within sustainable agricultural practices.
• Recommendations on measures to maintain soil productivity (implementation of contour plowing, terracing, and no-till farming methods);
• Recommendations for the introduction of adaptive crops on low-fertility agricultural lands (introduction of drought- and salt-tolerant species).
• Support for the development of training modules on climate-smart and nature-friendly agriculture, including land resource management, soil fertility, and agroforestry.
• Support for the development and implementation of pilot projects on sustainable agricultural practices, such as no-till farming and salt-tolerant crops.
• Development and technical support of the approach to conducting farmer field schools.
• development of a methodology for conducting farmer field schools;
• development of technical training modules and materials;
• conducting Training-of-Trainers sessions for national specialists and trainers;
• conducting specific demonstration/pilot sessions within the framework of farmer field schools;
• providing technical support and advisory services to national trainers;
• analyzing the implementation and results of the farmer field schools and providing recommendations for further improvement.
• Coverage of issues related to land resource management, sustainable livestock farming, and agroforestry.
• Gathering feedback from farmers and adjusting training approaches.

3. Reporting and performance results

REQUIREMENTS

Candidates for the position of "International Consultant/Expert on the Implementation of Sustainable Agricultural Practices" for the CAREC project office in Turkmenistan must meet the following requirements:

1.     Education

University degree in agricultural, technical, and other agriculture-related fields.

2.     Experience

At least 3 years of experience in implementing and participating in environmental projects.

3.     Skills

sound knowledge of agricultural practices in the Central Asia region;

good communication and training skills;

strong teamwork and collaboration skills;

analytical and research skills.

4.     Languages

Russian and/or good

knowledge of English.

NOTES:

·       Quotation currency: US dollars;

·       Payment method: non-cash payment;

·       Payment terms: payment for the expert’s services will be made monthly based on the contract and the submitted timesheet;

·       Tax calculation and payment are the personal responsibility of the consultant;

·       Ownership of deliverables: all materials prepared by the expert in the course of the assignment are the property of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan and may be used with the permission of the CAREC Project Office in Turkmenistan.

Interested candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, a detailed CV, and letters of recommendation, specifying the job title.

The CV must be submitted no later than 18:00 (Ashgabat time) on September 20, 2026, via email or courier service to the address below:

Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia

15 Bitarap St., Ashgabat

Tel.: +993 12 942148

To: O. Isgenderova 

Email addresses for proposal submission: turkmenistan@carececo.org, officeassistant_Turkmenistan@carececo.org, carec@carececo.org 

Proposals submitted via email must be in PDF format, signed, and free of viruses. 

Proposals received by CAREC after the aforementioned date for any reason will not be considered. 

Shortlisted candidates will be notified and invited for an interview.