Sustainable Farming & Agroecology Expert (Consultancy)

About the role

Emirates Nature-WWF is hiring a Sustainable Farming & Agroecology Expert for a six-month consultancy assignment, reporting to the Head - Climate & Conservation. The consultant provides technical and strategic advisory support to the Sustainable Farming & Agroecology Programme, strengthening its evidence base and aligning its approach with national priorities. The work is hybrid, with regular field visits to farming communities in Fujairah, Ajman and Ras Al Khaimah and elsewhere in the UAE as required.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice on the programme's priorities, demonstration farms, farmer engagement, capacity building, youth engagement, biodiversity outcomes, livelihood and heritage-product opportunities, market access, partnerships, evidence and monitoring, and potential geographic expansion.
• Review global literature on sustainable farming and agroecology and define a practical, UAE-specific approach for mountain farming communities, drawing on existing traditional and locally adapted practices.
• Carry out desk-based research, field engagement, community and stakeholder consultations and socio-economic analysis of small-scale farming households in the Northern Emirates.
• Document crops, livestock and farming practices, and map key stakeholders across government, the private sector, research institutions and communities to advise on strategic partnerships.
• Synthesize findings into practical programme recommendations and knowledge products on small-scale farming in the UAE.

Required profile

• Expertise in sustainable farming and agroecology combined with a strong understanding of small-scale farming communities, especially in the UAE's mountain and wadi landscapes.
• Ability to bridge technical knowledge with community-based research and socio-economic analysis, and to turn complex evidence into clear, decision-oriented recommendations.
• Willingness to work closely with the Head - Climate & Conservation and the programme team.