Overview
Provide technical support and capacity development for fruit tree nurseries under a World Bank-funded project in Tajikistan.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical support in developing methodology and questionnaire for conducting a comprehensive needs assessment and skill gap analysis of the 13 farm nurseries supported by the project.
- Conduct field monitoring visits in close collaboration with SUE “Tojikniholparvar” under the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) to collect needs assessment data, evaluate current nursery practices, and identify capacity gaps.
- Prepare a capacity and skills development plan for the 13 farm nurseries, based on identified needs and assessment findings, including recommendations for improving fruits trees nursery management, propagation techniques, and seedling production systems.
- Conduct trainings for registered farm nurseries based on the needs assessment carried out.
- Provide extension services and targeted technical support to the 13 farm nurseries to strengthen their knowledge and skills in nursery operations, including seed sourcing, fruits seedling seedling production, pest and disease management, irrigation and nutrient management, and other relevant practices.
- Introduction procedures of issue the quality certification of fruits trees seedlings for local nursery farms.
- Prepare regular technical reports summarizing field visits, needs assessment outcomes and recommendations for improvement.
- Other related tasks, as per request.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 years of practical field experience in fruit tree nursery management, seedling production systems, or intensive orchard development projects.
- Proven expertise in clonal rootstock management, advanced budding/grafting techniques, field-level pest/disease diagnostics, and precision drip irrigation/fertigation setups.
- Deep understanding of national seedling certification procedures, quality standards, and state phytosanitary requirements.
- Experience working with international organizations, UN agencies or international NGOs.
- Experience coordinating with national stakeholders including government institutions and development agencies.
- Knowledge of agricultural development and rural development in Tajikistan.
- Understanding of gender considerations in agricultural development programmes.
- Knowledge of the agricultural sector and institutional landscape in Tajikistan.
- Experience in coordinating agriculture or rural development projects.
- Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and project coordination.
- Experience working with international organizations or donor-funded projects.
- Private sector experience in agriculture or agribusiness would be an advantage.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in Horticulture, Agronomy, Pomology, or a related plant science discipline.
