Agronomist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Egypt, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Egypt to develop policies, programmes and projects to improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.

FAO is planning to implement a project titled “Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity" OSRO/EGY/041/JPN, is an emergency project supported by the Government of Japan. The project would help vulnerable agricultural households in Upper Egypt and the Nile Delta regions of Egypt, which are threatened by crises, climate change, and insufficient water supplies, become more resilient and less dependent on government assistance. This contribution will be made by enhancing the use of water for farming, increasing agricultural production for smallholder farmers, increasing incomes, and providing impoverished rural households with economic opportunities. The project will work towards achieving increased crop yields per unit of irrigation water used over time and improving food security and income generation in selected Haya Karima villages of Minya, Qena, and Kafr El Sheikh Governorates through the upscaling of tested and validated modern irrigation technologies (such as solar-powered pumps and hybrid (low energy drip and/or sprinkler) irrigation systems), climate-smart water management (CSWM) practices, and good agricultural practice (GAP) principles.

The position is located in the FAO Office in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY, the direct supervision of the project Manager, the technical supervision of the senior water resources management officer (FAO-SNG), and the technical senior land and water officer (FAO-RNE), and in close collaboration with the FAO country office and project personnel, as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders , the incumbent will carry out the following tasks for the project to increase agricultural and water productivity in the aforementioned governorates in the designated locations in Menia, Qena, and Kafr El Sheikh governorates.

Technical Focus

The main role of an agronomist within an Enhancement of Agricultural Productivity project would be to provide crop management related technical expertise and support to farmers and other stakeholders, develop and implement solutions that increase crop yields, improve the quality of agricultural produce, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

• The incumbent’s primary responsibility is to increase agriculture output by contributing expertise in crop management, soil health, pest, and disease control, and other matters connected to doing so. In order to boost crop yields and raise the caliber of agricultural products, the expert would collaborate closely with farmers and other stakeholders to identify barriers and create solutions. • Conduct benchmarking and field assessments to evaluate the performance of crops, identify constraints and challenges, and develop recommendations for improving agricultural productivity. • Develop and implement crop management plans that take into account soil characteristics, water, climate, and other factors affecting crop growth and yield. • Act as a technical back stopper for the FFSs coordinator • Develop and implement pest and disease management plans to reduce losses and improve the quality of agricultural produce. • Identify and promote the use of appropriate agricultural technologies, such as improved seed varieties, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, to increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts. • Provide technical support and training to farmers on good agricultural practices, including crop management, pest and disease control, and soil health management. • Develop innovative solutions for improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. • Collaborate with other project team members, such as agronomists, economists, and social scientists, to develop integrated solutions for enhancing agricultural productivity. • Monitor and evaluate the impact of project activities on agricultural productivity, income generation, and food security. • Ensure that all project activities are conducted in accordance with relevant environmental and social standards and that the project contributes to sustainable development in the region.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced university degree in in Agronomy, Crop Science, or a related field. • 10 years of experience working in agronomy or crop production • Working knowledge of English and Arabic languages. • National of Egypt or a legal resident in the country.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governemental bodies and multi-disciplinary teams. • Excellent organizational skills; • Good analytical skills with strong orientation to details • Experience in report writing and data analysis • Computer literacy in standard office software and proficiency in project management tools and software.