Overview
Provide strategic leadership in strengthening Mauritius’ seed sector and plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA). The role emphasizes policy and institutional analysis, development of national strategies and costed action plans, and alignment with international frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct an inception workshop (Seed Sector including PGRFA) to present project objectives and mobilize stakeholders.
- Review all seed sector policies, acts, and regulations, and assess institutional frameworks and stakeholder roles.
- Assess Mauritius’ compliance with ITPGRFA and other international conventions, and evaluate national obligations.
- Analyze the seed value chain from production to distribution, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement, including potential for local seed production and barcoding systems.
- Assess the current status of the National Seed Gene Bank (NSGB), National Field Gene Bank (NFGB), NPPO, and other institutions involved in genetic resources conservation.
- Evaluate conservation infrastructure, storage facilities, and existing protocols for germplasm management.
- Conduct field visits to conservation sites and seed facilities to document practices and identify areas for improvement.
- Conduct informant interviews and stakeholder consultations to gather insights and validate findings.
- Present preliminary findings to Technical Working Groups (TWGs) and FAO Programme Coordinator for discussion and refinement.
- Facilitate thematic working sessions to address specific issues in both seed systems and PGRFA.
- Draft the Seed Sector Status Report and the PGRFA Status Report, incorporating stakeholder inputs, and present findings for validation.
- Facilitate validation workshops for both reports and incorporate feedback into the final documents.
- Guide the formulation of the Seed Sector Strategy & Action Plan and the PGRFA Conservation Strategy & Costed Action Plan, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international best practices.
- Draft an Action Plan for germplasm collection, characterization, and regeneration.
- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for seed conservation (drying, viability testing, storage).
- Draft regulations and protocols for Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) in line with international/regional treaties and national legislation.
- Prepare and submit workshop and consultation reports.
- Submit an end of assignment report detailing contributions, outcomes, and recommendations for sustainability.
- Perform any other related duties and activities required
Required Experience
Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in seed systems, plant genetic resources conservation, utilization, and policy development, including agricultural legislation and institutional frameworks.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in crop science, seed technology, genetics, plant breeding, biodiversity conservation or related fields; Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
