International Consultant Performance Monitoring System Rice Landscapes Concept Development

IRRI is seeking to recruit a consultant who will support IRRI in developing a concept for the ‘Thailand sustainable rice landscapes performance monitoring system’ which will be based upon (i) the existing SRP/GAP++ Performance Indicators (PI) that measure on-farm impact and (ii) related landscape performance and resilience monitoring systems, for instances, Biodiversity International’s ‘Toolkit for the Indicators of Resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)’, LandScale assessment framework, etc. that monitor the off-farm environmental impacts of agriculture (e.g., key indicators for chemical contamination, changes in landscape and agro-biodiversity). The system is expected to incorporate specifically the metrics and assess the performance of key interventions of interest implemented by other ISRL project partners (e.g. measures to be promoted in gender-responsive training developed under Activity 3 and other landscape- linked practices of the larger ISRL project and other partners) on key parameters at the landscape level (from farm to other down- or upstream systems).

The consultant will propose a set of off-farm indicators with desirable landscape outcomes, design and develop a guideline for pilot testing the proposed performance monitoring system, and assess the off-farm landscape impacts (on neighboring ecosystems and their multiple services) from the ISRL project interventions.

The design process would involve consultation and negotiation with national agencies, implementers, and local communities, which will be undertaken by IRRI and a local consultant, with guidance to be provided by the consultant. 

This position can either be home-based or be based in our Bangkok, Thailand office. This consultancy role is open for international applications.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and present the methodology and approach to IRRI team for the concept development, pilot testing and the assessment of off-farm landscape impacts with clear tasks, timelines and schedules
• Propose and present a set of off-farm indicators and relevant on-farm indicators (if any) in the performance monitoring system together with data collection methodology. These indicators are crucial for a local consultant to develop a questionnaire for the baseline survey;
• the inception report that includes desk study and review outlining the approach, tasks, timelines, structure of the concept, etc. as well as a set of off-farm indicators in the performance monitoring system (including data
• collection methodology)
• Develop a concept for the ‘Thailand sustainable rice landscapes performance monitoring system’ which will be based upon (i) the existing SRP/GAP++ Performance Indicators (PI) that measure on-farm impact and (ii) related landscape performance and resilience monitoring systems, for instances, Biodiversity International’s ‘Toolkit for the Indicators of Resilience in Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)’, LandScale assessment framework, etc. that monitor and assess the off-farm environmental impacts of agriculture
• Develop a set of off-farm indicators and relevant on-farm indicators in the performance monitoring system that will serve to fill existing gaps in landscapes
• Guide a local consultant to conduct the baseline assessment for the proposed indicators in Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani Provinces and provide comments in the baseline assessment report
• Prepare and present a draft concept (with a proposed set of indicators) in consultation meetings/workshops with national and international agencies
• Address comments and suggestions received during the consultation process to finalize the concept with an agreed set of indicators and desirable landscape outcomes
• Design and develop guidelines for pilot testing of the proposed performance monitoring system in consultation with the IRRI team
• Propose methodology for the assessment of off-farm landscape impacts (on neighboring ecosystems and their multiple services) resulting from the key interventions of interest (implemented in ISRL project) which should include sampling strategy, schedule of field survey, data collection, data analysis, implementation timeline, etc.
• Guide a local consultant to conduct the pilot testing, and collect data for the off-farm impacts assessment in Chiang Rai and Ubon Ratchathani provinces
• Assess the performance of key interventions of interest (landscape-linked practices/approaches of the ISRL Project) on key parameters as well as the interactions of rice production with landscapes in comparison to the baseline
• assessment in both provinces
• Prepare a draft scientific manuscript to be published with the co-authorship of IRRI and other involved scientists
• Outline a draft assessment report highlighting the results of pilot testing and off-farm impacts of selected interventions on key parameters and review the assessment report prepared by the local consultant
• Prepare and present (or support the local consultant to present) the result of pilot testing and assessment to national and international agencies
• Work with the local consultant and ensure that the final assessment report is completely accurate and sound scientific
• Deliver the performance monitoring system and results generated through the “Thailand sustainable rice landscapes performance monitoring system’ in editable formats
• Suggest training topics/programs relevant to landscape management practices that aim to upscale the knowledge and capacity of smallholder farmers to reach the adoption of the rice landscapes performance monitoring system

Qualifications:

• Postgraduate degree in Agronomy, Agricultural Sciences, Agro-Environmental Sciences, Agro-Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Applied Sciences, or another relevant field
• Minimum 10 years of experience working with developing countries on sustaining rice/agricultural systems or related fields
• Proven experience in the concept development of landscape performance (monitoring) system(s) and assessment of similar agricultural research/projects
• Demonstrated strong understanding of and/or experience with rice landscape management is considered a strong asset
• Experience in conducting similar work in Thailand or knowledge of Thailand’s agricultural context and system is advantageous

Skills Required:

Mandatory:

• Ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs with minimal supervision
• Excellent interpersonal skills to work in a team
• Demonstrated command over writing professional reports in English in a timely manner with evidence by the submission of sample reports

Source:  https://www.irri.org/talentlink/details.html?id=Q7LFK026203F3VBQB79QWQWAS&nPostingID=1927&nPostingTargetID=3478&mask=irriext&lg=EN