Agronomist

Contract

This is a ICRC - Max term contract. More about ICRC - Max term contracts.

Reports to (role)

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What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949.

We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Purpose

The Agronomist is the central focal point, and institutional lead on all files related to the area of agronomy. S/he provides support and guidance within their field of expertise either remotely or in person focusing primarily on strategic areas linked to the agronomy file; climate change, resilience, pathways to self-sufficiency, planetary and one health.

In line with the ICRC’s Institutional Strategy and the EcoSec Strategy, he/she contributes to the development of programmes, as well as to humanitarian and operational diplomacy, benefiting and influencing humanitarian debate.

S/he develops global policies, tools, guidelines and training modules for the Economic Security Unit’s Agronomy programme and contributes to the strategic development of related technical files at regional level and in support to the HQ.

Accountabilities/Functional responsibilities - Global Thematics

• Contributes to the development of ICRC/EcoSec strategies and policies in relation to the area of expertise.
• Specifically (co)leads on thematic files related to agronomy, including (but not limited to): climate change, resilience, pathways to self-sufficiency, planetary and one health.
• Proposes and develops specific institutional files of interest to the EcoSec Unit, devising a roadmap for action; conducting research; writing briefs, articles and policy papers.
• Documents and actively participates in reflections operationalising issues of institutional importance (in relation to the Institutional Strategy 2019-2024 and beyond).
• Contributes to the adaptation and adoption of EcoSec global strategies and policies.
• Contributes to the development of guidelines, training material and other technical tools in relation to the area of expertise and in support of other EcoSec specialists.
• Contributes to EcoSec reflections on how to improve and operationalise multi-disciplinary work both within EcoSec and beyond.
• Co-leads on the organization of the annual Agro / Livestock workshop based on subjects agreed with the Regional Livestock and Agronomist focal points.
• Collaborates as necessary with peers to develop common projects and objectives to enhance the ICRC’s response to affected populations.
• Engages actively with the relevant communities of practice to continuously review and share knowledge, literature and information relevant for the Agronomist community globally and regionally.
• Works with regional agronomist to ensure training content is relevant, topical and updated. Provides coaching to specialist staff as required.

Accountabilities/Functional responsibilities - Networking

• Develops and maintains a global network of external contacts (private, public, non-governmental) in agronomy and thematic topics on which s/he (co)leads, and represents the ICRC in relevant working groups, clusters/sectors, regional meetings and fora.
• Exchanges expertise and experiences with relevant networks and interlocutors as necessary and ensures dissemination of global issues, and recent literature/ developments/ techniques/ tools among fellow EcoSec Agronomists and the wider EcoSec Unit.

Accountabilities/Functional responsibilities - Operational Support

• Coaches Regional agronomists (and Regions/Delegations when necessary) in developing relevant strategies, plans of action and programme adjustments.
• Maintains an overview of approaches and programs in area of expertise to ensure exchange of experiences and lessons learnt between Regions.
• Ensures Regions/Delegations apply institutional technical tools and provides guidance to adapt and operationalise them.
• Coaches new Regional Agronomists in ICRC approaches to agriculture and relevant thematic files, including methodologies, standards and guidance applied.
• Provides specific Region or Delegation level capacity building as requested and required.
• Supports EcoSec Agronomist teams in representing the ICRC with relevant authorities in case of challenging negotiations.

Accountabilities/Functional responsibilities - Pool Management

No direct people management responsibilities. However:

• Works closely with the Talent Manager to maintain the Agronomist pool (including recruitment, competency validation, deployment planning, track 1 and track 2 IAP, development/career planning etc.
• Acts as technical supervisor for all Regional Agronomists
• Understands and supervises the Performance Management & Development (PMD) activities for employees under their supervision, contributing to the PMD for all Regional Agronomists
• Engages in ongoing and continuous feedback and support for Agronomist pool

Scope & Impact

• Geographical remit: Global
• The position is in Geneva, with significant travel

Relationships

• Internally, interacts with:

  • GVA: the EcoSec Unit HoS and Specialists, other Protection & Essential Services metiers, the five Regions, REM, COM, Innovation, DTD, and other relevant departments/units.
  • Regional Resource Networks: regional agronomists, regional EcoSec staff, Heads of Regional Affairs, other regional specialists
  • Delegations: agronomists, EcoSec teams, Delegation Management teams, other Protection & Essential Services staff
  • Contributes to performance appraisals of Regional Agronomists and other agronomists as required.

• Externally, represents the ICRC to a wide range of stakeholders including government, technical authorities, academia/research organisation, humanitarian and development actors, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement partners, private sector stakeholders, and other organisations and forums whose work relates to the area of expertise.

Certifications / Education required

• Masters degree or equivalent in agricultural engineering
• Degree specialization in agricultural economics, tropical agriculture, climate adaptive agriculture or crop production an asset.
• Very good command of English and good understanding of French.
• Computer proficiency.

Professional Experience required

• Typically 12-15 years' overall professional experience.
• 5–7 years' experience working in humanitarian and/or development contexts working with farming and/or agro-pastoralist communities.
• Program management experience.
• Experience in agricultural market systems and value chains an asset.
• Experience in climate adapted agro-pastoral programming and/or planetary health/one health an asset.
• Experience with ICRC or the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement an asset.

Desired profile and skills

• Sound understanding of the project cycle, establishing appropriate (SMART) objectives and indicators is required
• Good organizational, managerial, planning and reporting skills
• Ready to work in difficult contexts and spend time in the field, or to manage programs without direct access to the affected population
• Possess a good capacity to analyze and summarize complex situations
• Excellent ability to work under pressure in a potentially dangerous environment
• Strong capacity to recruit, lead, mentor and empower a small team of agronomist/livestock specialists
• Open-minded and adaptable, empathic and diplomatic

What we offer

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment
• A two-week orientation course and other opportunities for further in-house training
• Attractive social benefits
• Join an ICRC talent pool and be considered for future assignments elsewhere

Additional information

• Type of role: Agronomist
• Working rate: 100%
• Starting date: 01/04/2022
• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Job level: C2
• Length of assignment: 48 months
• Application deadline: 30.01.2022

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.