Desk study on Biosaline Agriculture

The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.

Job Summary

We are currently undertaking a pivotal desk study in OIC African Countries: Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, and Somalia intending to contribute to the efforts of policy and decision-makers in these countries to enhance agricultural production and support food security. The desk study focuses on advancing the utilization of brackish water resources in agricultural activities, presenting a forward-looking strategy for sustainable growth. 

Two main objectives of the study are:

  1. Assessment of Agricultural Production Challenges under Salinity Conditions: An evaluation of the existing challenges faced in agricultural production within the context of salinity, providing a thorough understanding of the impediments faced by local farmers.
  2. Identification of Biosaline Agriculture Promotion Opportunities: Identification of opportunities and avenues to promote and integrate biosaline agriculture practices within these countries’ diverse agroecological zones.
Job Responsibilities

The local consultant in each country should do the following tasks: 

  1. Data Collection and Review: Collate and assess data pertaining to your country’s  biosaline agriculture landscape, encompassing information related to brackish/saline water, soil resources, agricultural production, imports, exports, and socio-economic aspects. Collaboration with national agricultural research systems (NARS) to gather these insights is pivotal.
  2. Innovative Agriculture System Research: Conduct a review of innovative biosaline agriculture systems suited for various agroecological zones within your country. This task would require close collaboration with NARS to access accurate information on agroecological zones.
  3. Strategic and Action Plan Review: Acquire and evaluate strategic and action plans targeting agricultural improvement, specifically emphasizing biosaline agriculture advancement.

The anticipated deliverables of this consultancy engagement are as follows:

  1. National Agricultural Data/information: Compilation of national and open-source data encompassing local agricultural production, water resources, soil quality and degradation, socio-economic agricultural statistics, and, whenever applicable, gender-disaggregated data.
  2. Baseline Report on Biosaline Agriculture: Prepare a detailed report detailing the current status of biosaline agriculture in your country.
Qualifications and Experience

- Relevant prior experience doing similar tasks.

-The consultant should be based in the respective country.

 

Note: The national consultant will be responsible for his/her country only. 

Post Date
21 August 2023
Status
Closed
Vacancy Type
Consultancy
Closing Date
Open until filled
Location
Cameroon, Chad, Gabon, and Somalia
Report To
TD
Job Number
Na
Duration of the assignment
2 Months
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