The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting expressions of interest for an important consultancy opportunity focused on building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
The position of Specialist in Climate-Smart Agriculture and Disaster Risk Management in Agriculture offers qualified professionals a chance to contribute directly to climate resilience, food security, and sustainable rural development in Europe and Central Asia, with a strong focus on Moldova.
This non-staff consultancy role is home-based and hosted under FAO’s Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU), headquartered in Budapest. With a contract duration of up to 11 months on a “when actually employed” basis, the assignment is designed for experienced experts who are passionate about climate-smart and conservation agriculture, sustainable land management, and disaster risk reduction in agriculture.
Supporting Climate-Resilient Agriculture in Moldova
FAO REU plays a critical role in addressing regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development. In collaboration with national governments and development partners, the office leads the planning and implementation of FAO’s strategic programmes across the region.
This specific consultancy is linked to FAO’s work in Moldova under the joint FAO–UNDP Programme “Resilient and Competitive Markets”, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The initiative aims to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Moldovan smallholder farmers by promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Conservation Agriculture (CA), and Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) practices. Moving beyond short-term emergency responses, the project emphasizes long-term adaptation to climate risks, improved productivity, sustainable value chains, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
Key Responsibilities and Technical Focus
The selected specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Moldova, with technical guidance from the Agricultural Officer and Climate Change Officer at FAO REU. The role has a strong practical and capacity-building orientation.
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Key responsibilities include assessing institutional capacities and operational gaps related to CSA, CA, SALM, and disaster risk management, and supporting their integration into national and local agricultural policies, strategies, and subsidy frameworks.
The consultant will provide hands-on technical support in sustainable crop production, soil health management, seed systems development, integrated pest management, and climate-resilient farming systems.
A major component of the assignment involves designing, establishing, and monitoring CSA/CA demonstration plots and pilot interventions, as well as leading farmer-led trials comparing conservation and conventional practices. The specialist will also play a central role in developing and operationalizing a national Farmer Field School (FFS) approach focused on climate-smart and conservation agriculture, including training curricula, facilitation guidelines, and participatory learning tools.
Training and mentoring extension agents, Farmer Field School facilitators, farmer associations, and national advisory services will be essential to ensure the sustainable uptake and scaling of climate-resilient practices. The role further includes contributing to policy briefs, communication materials, awareness campaigns, and technical studies related to climate-smart agriculture and disaster risk reduction.
Who Should Apply?
FAO is seeking candidates with an advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, climate change, horticulture, or a related field, along with at least five years of relevant professional experience. Strong expertise in crop production, climate risk management, sustainable agriculture projects, and seed systems is essential. Proficiency in one of FAO’s working languages—such as English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian—is required.
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FAO strongly encourages applications from qualified women, nationals of non- and under-represented countries, and persons with disabilities, in line with its commitment to diversity, integrity, and professional excellence.
Make an Impact with FAO
This consultancy offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of climate action, agriculture, and rural development—supporting farmers and institutions to adapt to climate risks while improving productivity and sustainability. Professionals who are motivated to drive meaningful change in agrifood systems are encouraged to apply early.
