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 National Consultant- Database administrator/IT Officer will develop and maintain a knowledge management system (KMS) at the public Agriculture University to organize, store, and retrieve precision agriculture information. S/he will establish accessible information repositories for stakeholders to obtain research and policy documents. The consultant will facilitate in conducting workshops and webinars to disseminate updates, policies, and best practices related to precision agriculture.

Expected Outputs: The Consultant will be expected to 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 - 30%

Capacity Building

Submit a report confirming the following inputs and outputs:

1.1 Facilitate in establishment of information repositories for stakeholders to access reports, research papers, guidelines, and other relevant documents on precision agriculture.

1.2 Support in organizing workshops and Webinars to share information on precision agriculture technique-related policies, procedures, project updates and other relevant topics.

Deliverables 2 - 50%

Knowledge Sharing & Learning

2.1 Develop and maintain a knowledge management system (KMS) to organize, store, and retrieve information related to precision agriculture in the public Agriculture University. Sub-outputs include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the technical design, architecture, and development of a user-friendly Knowledge Management System tailored to the needs of the public Agriculture University, enabling systematic storage, categorization, and retrieval of information related to precision agriculture.

• Create and maintain a centralized digital database that houses research publications, policy documents, datasets, best practices, and case studies, ensuring the information is easily searchable and accessible by students, researchers, faculty, and external stakeholders.

• Develop comprehensive user guides, system documentation, and training materials to support seamless adoption, onboarding, and troubleshooting for all user groups.

• Organize and conduct a hands-on training workshop (and virtual tutorials if needed) to educate faculty, researchers, and IT support teams on effective utilization, data entry protocols, and system management.

• Draft an integration roadmap and technical strategy to enable data sharing and real-time updates with national and provincial research bodies, agricultural extension services, and private sector actors, ensuring interoperability and dynamic knowledge flow.

Deliverables 3 - 20%

The officer will collaborate with other team members, including the Provincial Agriculture Specialists and the National Climate Finance Officer, to ensure that all project activities are informed by sound analysis and evidence-based decision-making.

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.

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 computer science, database administration, information technology, or any related fields

2. At least 7 years of experience in database administration, IT systems management or related roles, preferably experience in working with development organizations
3. Experience in developing and maintaining a knowledge management system (KMS) which organizes, stores, and retrieves precision agriculture information.

4. Experience of establishing accessible information repositories for stakeholders to obtain research and policy documents. Conduct workshops and webinars to disseminate updates, policies, and best practices related to precision agriculture.

5. Demonstrated leadership and experience in coordination with partners, technical experts, and advisory groups.

6. Similar work experience in Government/INGO/bilateral or multilateral development partner-funded projects is preferable.

7. Demonstrated ability and plan and organize work and time independently.

8. Excellent interpersonal skills, team-oriented work style, and experience working in a multicultural environment.

9. Strong desire to learn, and undertake new challenges, must be a creative problem-solver, must have self-confidence, willing to work hard, and deliver quality work.

Duty Station: Islamabad (Hybrid modality), Pakistan

Duration: The total time of the assignment and the period during which the work should be completed is 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.