Sustainable Food Systems Specialist in the Rice Sector Development at Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism

Vacancies Announcement

Background

The Project ‘Food Systems Land Use and Restoration in Tanzania’s Forest Landscapes’ is a child project under the GEF Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Program. The 5-year project is implemented through the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, as the lead Executing Agency, with the support of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as GEF Implementing Agency.

The key environmental problem to be addressed by the project is the degradation of Tanzania’s rich forest lands and wetlands and the related loss in forest health and biodiversity, under the pressure of agricultural development, with a focus on rice production, which has detrimental effects on the delivery of ecosystem services and related livelihood and economic opportunities. In Tanzania, rice production has more than tripled between 2004 and 2015， making lanzania the 2 largest nce producer in South- Eastern Afica. The nice sector is currently a key point of attention of various Government and donor supported programs geared towards both intensification and extensification, with a growing interest in export to supply adiacent Africa states. A key challenge is that production is small scale,with current yields are among the lowest in the world (between 1.5 and 2 tha), inefficient supply chains, post-harvest handling and poor transport networks, posing additional challenges.

The project focuses primarily on two landscapes in Tanzania, both critical for rice cultivation: the Kilombero Valley on mainland Tanzania; and the North Unguja (Zanzibar) landscape. The project represents an integrated approach that combines aspects of sustainable food systems and deforestation free supply chains, with broader landscape level planning, management and restoration for the preservation of ecosystem services in these two landscapes, which translates into three main pillars of work:

The development of an Integrated Landscape Management approach for the target landscapes, through a multi-stakeholder process, in order to provide for a landscape management framework that gives space for rice production and other uses, while securing space for the preservation and restoration of critical ecological systems;
The development of sustainable and socially inclusive value/supply chains for the rice production sector, including the development of supporting governance/policy frameworks, financial and market mechanisms and incentives that will drive sustainable value chains; and
The development and implementation of concrete landscape restoration and management activities in the target landscapes, including the creation of enabling conditions for upscaling. The focus here will be on areas degraded by or providing key environmental services to the rice sector.

Position: Sustainable Food Systems Specialist in the Rice Sector Development

Reports to: Project Coordinator, Tanzania Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Project (Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, United Republic of Tanzania)
Location: Dodoma, Tanzania
Duration: 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 4 years

Major Function

The Sustainable Food Systems Specialist in the Rice Sector Development will provide leadership, guidance and support in the implementation of Component 2 of the project: The development of sustainable and socially inclusive value/supply chains for the rice production sector,including the development of supporting governance/policy frameworks, financial and market mechanisms and incentives that will drive sustainable value chains. In particular, he/she will oversee project delivery through the two Landscape Coordination Units(LCUs) in Kilombero and Unguja, as well as provide targeted technical support to the design and implementation of project activities.

Key Responsibilities

Technically lead and advise on the implementation of Component 2 of the project, in particular:
- Development of a policy paper on improved land tenure and water governance systems to
- Development of a sustainable value chain development plan for the rice production sector;
- Development of guidelines, standards, and training packages for public and private sector value chain actors in the rice sector;
- Undertaking an opportunity analysis for private sector investments in sustainable rice production value chains; and
- Negotiation and establishment of a collaborative agreement and platform for engagement between public, private and civil society actors on sustainable rice value chain development.
Advise the project partners and landscape coordination units in regard to the technical design and implementation of project activities under Component 2 of the project.
Collaborate with the PMU in preparing related TORs to recruit consultants to ensure technical deliverables and experience requirements are included, and in the development of sub-contracts to project partners
Review reports and other products from consultants, staff, and sub-grantees, and ensure quality
In collaboration with M&E, undertake regular field missions to monitor project implementation and to provide technical advice and support to the landscape teams and project partners
Provide input into the semi-annual and annual Project Progress Reports
In collaboration with M&E, develop relevant awareness raising and knowledge products on sustainable rice sector development for upscaling and replication.
Manage and oversee stakeholder engagement throughout the project duration, in particular in relation to farmer groups
Ensure implementation in line with the GEF and WWF standards and policies
Represent the project, as needed, at various meetings and workshops

Qualifications and Requirements

At least 7 years of technical working experience in a discipline relevant to Sustainable Food Systems specifically in the rice sector development
Post-graduate degree in a discipline relevant to Sustainable Food Systems
Experience in managing complex, multi-stakeholder projects
Ability to interact with senior business, government, and NGO stakeholders
Adaptive management skills
Experience with GEF Projects and GEF knowledge is an added advantage

General Conditions

All applicants must be Citizens of Tanzania with age not above 50 years
Applicants must attach an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae(CV)having reliable contacts; postal address/post code,e-mail and telephone numbers.
Applicants should apply on the strength of the information given in this advertisement.
Applicants must attach their certified copies of the following certificates.
- Postgraduate/Degree/Advanced Diploma/Diploma/Certificates.
- Postgraduate/Degree/Advanced Diploma/Diploma transcripts.
- Form IV and Form VI National Examination Certificates.
- Professional Registration and Training Certificates from respective Registration or Regulatory Bodies, (where applicable).
- Birth certificate.
Attaching copies of the following certificates is strictly not accepted:-
- Form IV and form VI results slips.
- Testimonials and all Partial transcripts.
An applicant employed in the Public Service should route his application letter through his respective employer.
An applicant who is retired from the Public Service for whatever reason should not apply.
An applicant should indicate three reputable referees with their reliable contacts
Certificates from foreign examination bodies for Ordinary or Advanced level education should be verified by The National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA).
Professional certificates from foreign Universities and other training institutions should be verified by The Tanzania Commission for Universities(TCU) and National Council for Technical Education (NACTE).
A signed application letter should be written either in Swahili or English and Addressed to;
- Permanent Secretary,
- Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism.
- Government City-Mtumba,
- Ardhi Street
- P.O. Box 1351，
- DODOMA.
Deadline for application is 20th November, 2025；
Only shortlisted candidates will be informed on a date for interview and;
Presentation of forged certificates and other information will necessitate to legal action;