Agromet

1. Feasibility Assessment for the development of agrometeorological system
in Georgia
The project was approached by Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and National
Environmental Agency (NEA) to support Feasibility Assessment for the development of
agrometeorological system in Georgia.
Assessment will include evaluation of existing infrastructure, equipment and human
resources for the development of the system in MoA and NEA. Recommendations will
be provided for institutional set-up for the system development. This includes Possible
Models of institutional set-up and linkages between MoA extension system and Ministry
of Environment and Natural Resources Protection (MoENP) Agromet; creation of
working group for discussions on phyto-geographical units and concept of extension
climatologist.
Currently NEA is experiencing limited capacities in agrometeorology service provision.
Only few stations country wide possesses timeworn equipment for collecting data. Data
processing and dissemination methodology also require update.
Objective is to evaluate possibility and tentative cost for the development of existing
agrometeorological system of NEA, in order to provide accessible, relevant, timely and
utilizable services to clients/farmers.
Agrometeorological data is of high importance for the farmers for improving
agricultural practices and IPM. This is expected to influence reduction expenses on
inputs for the production and increased quality of produce.
The activity is in line with project Output 3: Policies to support environmentally
friendly agriculture and with agricultural development strategy of Georgia, Section
3.7.1: Maintaining good agricultural practices, where coordination between MoA and
MoENP is envisaged to address climate change, and Section 3.7.3: Climate Smart
Agriculture.
Food and agriculture and regional coordination departments from MoA and Scientific
research center will take ownership of the activity from MoA side and NEA from MoENP
side.
ToR for the international consultant is provided in Annex 1. Support during the missions
will be provided by NEA, including travel within the country.
CVs from interested candidates should be sent to Dr. Reuben Sessa
(Reuben.Sessa@fao.org) and Olga Buto (Olga.Buto@fao.org).

2. ANNEX 1
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Terms of Reference for Consultant /PSA 
Minimum number of years of relevant experience required: 1yr  5yrs  12+yrs

Name:
Job Title: InternationalExpert on Agro-meteorologicalSystems
Division/Department: FEGEO
Programme/ProjectNumber: GCP/GEO/004/AUT: Capacity Development of the Ministry of Agriculture
Location: Tbilisi, Georgia
Expected StartDateof Assignment: Duration:
WAE bases 35 days (25 days mission and 10
days home based) with possibility of extension
Reports to: Name:
Title:
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF TASK(S) AND OBJECTIVES TO BE ACHIEVED
The International Agrometeorological Systems’ Expert will operate under the overall operational guidance and
responsibility of the FAO Representative for Georgia, overall supervision of LTU of the Regional Office for
Europe and Central Asia, direct supervision and day to day management of the NPM and in close collaboration
with the short-term International expert on extension system of the Project, FAO Country Office and the
Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) in Georgia.
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Assess and evaluate current capacities of the Agrometeorological services:
 Infrastructure and equipment (including remote sensing and GIS facilities), and compliance with
WMO relevant installation standards
 Identify weaknesses and limitations of current agro-meteorological forecasting and dissemination of
information.
 System and services from the perspective of providing services (inclusive of demands/needs of
information products) to farming communities, private sector and policy makers
o Extent of staffing, and personnel skills and capacities (operational, technical, analytical,
communication) both in the HQ and in the field
 Discuss with the relevant decision makers at the MoA and MoENP and facilitate the
establishment of a permanent high level working group (WG) with the responsibility to
lead activities and address issues of mutual concern in agrometeorological development
initiative:

3.  Develop terms of reference of a WG
 Guide and provide on-the job trainings (technical and management) to the members of a WG
 Recommend on institutional set-up of agromet system and services with clearly defined tasks and
responsibilities of institutions and personnel involved
 Review and discuss the concept of phyto-geographical units with a WG, and recommend:
 Criteria for delimitation and establishment of phyto-geographical units throughout Georgia
 On terms of reference and time delimitated activity plan to delimitate and establish phyto-geographical
units
 Review and discuss the concept of extension climatologist with a WG, and recommend:
 On institutionalization of this position within the MoA extension service including Scientific Research
Center (SRC) and district level Information and Consulting Centers (ICC)] across phyto-geographical
units
 Terms of references for an extension climatologist positions within SRC and ICC
 On institutional set-up and linkages between the MoA extension system and the MoENP agromet
 Recommend on criteria to determine the number and category of Agromet stations to be
established:
 In regard to the number of Agromet stations, consider factors such as area coverage, the density of
observational network, types and sub-types of climate, spatial variation in natural vegetation, major
crops grown and agriculture methods, equipment’s security, etc.
 In reference to the category of Agromet stations, consider principal, ordinary, auxiliary, and of specific
purpose stations
 Support WG to develop time delimitated activity plan to determine the number, locations, and category
of Agromet stations
 The type of equipment (inclusive of specifications and present market prices) and enclosures, including
the coverage by GSM signal for an automatic data transmission
 Installation of equipment in accordance with WMO standards
 Recommend training programmes to be held locally for Agromet, SRC and ICC staff
covering operational, technical, analytical, and communication aspects
 Recommendon approachesto provide agrometclientswith accessible, relevant, credible,
timely, compatible, and utilizable services
 Support the MoA and MoENP to design a training programme to partner with relevant
international institution(s)
 Finalize a proposal with different options, integrating the comments received during the various
meetings, and including a budget and a workplan for implementation.
Qualifications:
 At least a master’s degree in agriculture and/or meteorology or related field;
 At least five years of relevant practical field experience in agro meteorology system
development/support for agricultural extension services;
 Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases and electronic programs is required;
 Excellent communication (both written and oral) and presentation skills;
 Knowledge of Georgian rural communities is desired;

4.  Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is desirable.
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Expected Outputs: Required Completion Date:
 Draft feasibility study for development of agrometeorological
system comprising of, but not limited to, elements identified in
activities section of this TORs delivered.
 Consultations with Government representatives on proposal of
feasibility assessment for development of the system implemented.
 Final feasibility assessment for development of agro meteorological
system comprising of, but not limited to, elements identified in
activities section of this TORs delivered.
 Assignment report and recommendations on possible future
assistance. in development of Georgian agro meteorology system
delivered.
Mission 1
May - June 2015
Mission 2
September - October 2015