National Digital Agriculture Expert (Consultancy, 25 Days)

About the role

FAO Serbia, working with the Government of Serbia to modernize agriculture and rural services and advance the country's digital transformation and EU-accession agenda, is seeking a National Digital Agriculture Expert. The role supports an international Digital Agriculture Specialist with country-specific expertise, institutional access and language support, within the TCP/SRB/4101 project assessing the status of digital agriculture in Serbia. It is a 25-day consultancy on a when-actually-employed basis, based in Serbia and home-based, with possible field travel across Serbia (costs covered by FAO).

Key responsibilities

• Contribute to the assessment of digital agriculture in Serbia by collecting and analysing country-specific information.
• Provide technical support on policy and regulatory frameworks, institutional landscape, ICT infrastructure, rural connectivity and existing digital agriculture programmes, and help prepare the assessment report with gap analysis and recommendations.
• Support the international consultant in engaging with ministries, agencies, farmer organisations, private sector actors and development partners through key informant interviews and consultations.
• Help design, organize and deliver the national multi-stakeholder workshop, including participant engagement and technical inputs.
• Review draft project outputs, such as the revised report on farmer-centric digital public services and the assessment report.

Required profile

• University degree in agricultural sciences, economics, rural development, information systems, data science, public administration or a related field.
• At least five years of experience in research, analytical reports and knowledge products, with engagement in the Serbian agrifood and/or digital sectors.
• Citizenship of Serbia or a valid residence and work permit; Serbian fluency and English working knowledge.

Required skills

• Strong working knowledge of Serbia's agrifood policy, institutional architecture and digital public services.
• Qualitative research, including key informant interviews and desk reviews, and workshop facilitation.
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); familiarity with IACS and EU accession requirements for agriculture.
• Ability to work independently, with strong organization, time management and communication skills.