Agriculture and Extension Specialist

Organizational Setting

The position is located in Sukhumi, Georgia. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

The Agriculture and Extension Specialist shall operate under the overall responsibility of the Regional Programme Leader, direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, in close coordination with other national and international colleagues of the FAO offices in Sukhumi, Zugdidi and Tbilisi

Technical Focus

The Agriculture and Extension Specialist will provide technical support in agronomy to the day-to-day implementation of the agricultural component of the FAO projects implemented in Abkhazia. These projects support an increased resilience in Abkhazian communities, working in the agricultural sector (promotion of good agricultural practices, including extension to farmers in primary production and post harvest).

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop, follow-up on, and update the workplans, budgets, and logical frameworks for all the projects under the Abkhazia component in Georgia. • Support other members of the team (HR, finance) in the preparation of documentation for issuance of casual labor contracts, staff contracts, operational advance spending coming out from the project office. • Attend and provide technical guidance to the relevant coordination meetings with other UN organizations based in Abkhazia. • Create and lead a network of 40 demonstration plots in Abkhazia dedicated to Integrated Farming Systems (20) and Crop Diversification (20) with a strong component of Integrated Pest Management. • Provide technical guidance to the local teams in the implementation of demonstration plots for extension purposes, including GAPs, IPM • Provide technical guidance to the team of national agronomists in introducing experimental diversification of cropping systems • Revise weekly work plans of agronomists to be in alignment with FAO technical standards • Organize and participate in the activities of extension and capacity development, including the preparation of training programs, training materials, and organization of training events. • Create annual curricula for the 40 demonstration plots, provide technical guidance to and participate actively in the trainings where extension activities are being developed. • Support the preparations of project reports. Consolidate inputs and finalize reports for submission to the donor. • Support the Procurement team in the maintenance of updated work plans and procurement plans. Provide technical guidance to in the preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of agricultural inputs/equipment needed for the implementation of the project. • Follow up on the budgets of the project, and timely organize resources (study tours, missions, external consultancies, procurement) as required for the implementation of the project. • Ensure enhanced preservation of local grape genetic resources and availability of their propagation materials through establishment of a grape collection vineyard (0,6 ha 3000 vines), a rootstock mother vineyard (0,4 ha; 400 vines). • Contribute to improvement of knowledge on management of grapevines and propagation material production through establishment of a Technical Training Hub. • Complete outlook studies on various agricultural products relevant for the Abkhazian market. • Follow up on the monitoring and annual control plans for Abkhazia’s most dangerous forest pests and diseases. • Create concept notes for project activities that will have a benefit to the local agricultural industry. • Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture or a related field • Two years of relevant experience in the management of agricultural projects • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of Russian

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated understanding of agricultural sector • Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear and effective oral presentations. • Good writing skills in English • Good skills in community mobilization as well as inter-personal relations • Work experience in the implementation of projects in agriculture in the region will be an asset • Extent and relevance of experience and skills in project management at field level • Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases and electronic programmes is an asset • Quality of both oral and written communication skills