National Consultant- Provincial Agriculture Specialist, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Purpose and Objectives: Agriculture is crucial to Pakistan’s economy, contributing 19.2% to GDP and providing livelihoods for a large portion of the population. However, climate change threatens the sector, affecting water availability, soil moisture, and crop productivity. Pakistan is highly vulnerable, with rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns posing risks to food security.
Precision agriculture offers a promising solution by optimizing resource use and minimizing environmental impact through technologies like GPS-guided equipment, automated irrigation, and drones. These innovations improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance yields. Capacity building and knowledge management are vital to the widespread adoption of these technologies, aligning with national goals such as the Agriculture Policy, National Climate Change Policy, Nationally Determined Contributions, National Adaptation Plan, and Sustainable Development Goals. Investments in these areas will modernize agriculture, ensuring sustainability and resilience against climate change.
The goal of the project is to build capacity for precision agriculture by creating a centralized knowledge management system in both Punjab and Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This system will store and organize information to support education and practical applications through workshops and webinars. A comprehensive Readiness Action Plan will be developed to enhance institutional capacities, address policy gaps, and promote climate-smart agriculture using precision tools.
The consultant- Provincial Agricultural Specialist, Gilgit-Baltistan will be assisted by the Resilient Agricultural Specialist to develop and implement climate-resilient agricultural practices, integrating precision agriculture technologies and ensuring alignment with GCF goals to enhance productivity, sustainability and adaptive capacity of farming systems in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
The consultant will be responsible to develop a strategy for mobilizing resources and forming partnerships to introduce and implement precision agriculture-related interventions in Gilgit-Baltistan, along with contributing to the development and implementation of procedures for transforming traditional agricultural practices, focusing on climate-smart and climate-resilient approaches. S/he will further contribute to the work of the interdisciplinary Technical Working Group within the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Department of Gilgit-Baltistan.
The consultant will ensure the inclusion of local perspectives and priorities in GCF project proposals and will provide technical input and support for the development of TAPs. The consultant will support the implementation of the KMS, ensuring that relevant information and resources are accessible to stakeholders in Gilgit-Baltistan. Will further provide technical support to the development of comprehensive guidelines and best practices for precision agriculture in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Expected Outputs: The Consultant will produce the technical and research-based deliverables in line with the terms of reference of this assignment by performing specific tasks as outlined in the Responsibilities and Tasks section and the deliverable plan of the project
Responsibilities and Tasks:
The consultant will be responsible for the following (timeline for each deliverable will be determined during the inception phase of the project):
Deliverables 1 – 40%
Strategic Frameworks
1.1 Develop Provincial Action Plans for mobilizing resources and forming partnerships to introduce and implement precision agriculture-related interventions in GB province. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Detailed Provincial Action Plans (for Gilgit-Baltistan) outlining strategies for mobilizing resources and forming partnerships to implement precision agriculture interventions.
- Resource mobilization framework**,** identifying potential funding sources, investment opportunities, and mechanisms to support precision farming initiatives.
- Stakeholder engagement strategy**,** detailing roles and responsibilities of government agencies, private sector actors, research institutions, and farmer organizations in advancing precision agriculture.
- Implementation roadmap**,** including key milestones, timelines, and monitoring indicators to track progress and impact.
- Integration of climate-smart and gender-inclusive approaches, ensuring equitable access to precision agriculture tools and knowledge for smallholder farmers, including women-led farming enterprises.
- Validation workshops for Provincial Action Plans.
1.2 Assist in development of “National Precision Agricultural Policy” that will outline strategies and actions to address the identified gaps and enhance precision agriculture, which also includes a Gender Action Plan. Submit a report confirming inputs on 1.2.
Deliverables 2 – 20%
Capacity Building
Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
- Assist in conducting a comprehensive gap analysis and highlight areas where improved information sharing is most critical
- Assist in establishing information repositories for stakeholders to access reports, research papers, guidelines, and other relevant documents on precision agriculture
- Assist in organizing workshops and webinars to share information on precision agriculture technique-related policies, procedures, project updates, and other relevant topics.
Deliverables 3 – 20%
Knowledge Sharing and Learning
Assist in developing a manual outlining best practices for integrating precision agriculture with climate-resilient farming techniques. Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
- Step-by-step guidance on adopting precision technologies (e.g., precision irrigation, remote sensing, AI-driven analytics) to enhance productivity and sustainability.
- Case studies and success stories from pilot projects and global examples demonstrating the effectiveness of precision agriculture in improving climate resilience.
- Practical recommendations for policymakers, extension workers, and farmers on scaling climate-smart precision agriculture solutions.
- Illustrated and user-friendly formats, ensuring accessibility for farmers, policymakers, and agri-tech stakeholders
Deliverables 4 – 20%
Pipeline Development
4.1 Establishment of interdisciplinary Technical Working Groups (TWGs) within the Punjab Agriculture Department and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Gilgit-Baltistan, which includes agriculture, climate science, economics, and technology experts to identify, prioritize, and develop precision agriculture projects for GCF funding. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Official establishment of interdisciplinary TWGs within the Punjab Agriculture Department and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, Gilgit-Baltistan, including experts in agriculture, climate science, economics, and technology.
- TWG Terms of Reference (ToRs) defining roles, responsibilities, and objectives for identifying, prioritizing, and developing precision agriculture projects for Green Climate Fund (GCF) funding.
4.2 Facilitate in conduct of co-development write shops in GB for local stakeholders. Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:
- Successful organization of write shops in GB, engaging local stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organizations, and technical experts.
- Training materials and toolkits on developing GCF concept notes and proposals, with a focus on climate-smart and precision agriculture initiatives.
- Prioritized project pipeline, identifying key precision agriculture initiatives aligned with climate resilience strategies for Pakistan.
- Draft GCF concept notes during the write shops, outlining project objectives, climate rationale, expected impacts, and funding requirements.
In addition to the outlined deliverables, the consultant is expected to perform any other tasks related to the deliverables and assigned by the director, team lead and supervisor. Also, the timeline of deliverables may be revised depending on the different operational factors and project priorities.
Working Principles: The consultant will report to the Team Lead/ Director of the Risk Governance and Financing department. In Addition, the consultant will work closely with the project team and receive support from the team members continuously to achieve completion of the listed deliverables. The consultant is required to have a weekly meeting with the project team of ADPC to update the progress in addition to any need-based meetings arranged under the project, either in-person or virtual.
Qualifications:
1. Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, agronomy, environmental sciences, or any related fields
2. At least 7 years of experience in agricultural development, extension services, or implementing climate-resilient agriculture practices in GB.
3. Experience in developing a strategy for mobilizing resources and forming partnerships to introduce and implement precision agriculture-related interventions in Gilgit-Baltistan, along with contributing to the development and implementation of procedures for transforming traditional agricultural practices, focusing on climate-smart and climate-resilient approaches.
4. Experience of including local perspectives and priorities in GCF project proposals, and will provide technical input and support for the development of TAPs, support the implementation of the KMS, ensuring that relevant information and resources are accessible to stakeholders in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.
5. Experience in providing technical support to the development of comprehensive guidelines and best practices for precision agriculture in Gilgit-Baltistan.
6. Demonstrated leadership and experience in coordination with partners, technical experts, and advisory groups.
7. Similar work experience in Government/INGO/bilateral or multilateral development partner-funded projects is preferable.
8. Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently.
9. Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience in working in a multi-cultural environment.
10. Strong desire to learn, and undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self-confidence, willing to work hard, and to deliver quality work.
Duty Station: Gilgit-Baltistan (hybrid modality), Pakistan
Duration: The total time of the assignment and the period during which the work should be completed in a period of 18 months.
Itinerary: If the Consultant is required to travel for field work, consultations, meetings, and workshops the cost of official travel, if any, is to be borne by ADPC.
Condition of payment: Payment shall be made on an output-based basis, conditional upon the satisfactory delivery of services and subject to formal review and written approval by ADPC.
Selection Method
The consultant will be selected in accordance with ADPC’s recruitment process.
How to apply
Interested Candidates can submit the completed ADPC application form, (downloadable from www.adpc.net), resume, copy of degrees/certificate(s) together with a cover letter, to: Procurement@adpc.net
Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
ADPC encourages diversity in its workplace and supports an inclusive work environment.
