Agronomist - Agroecology Specialist

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building, and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

Reporting Lines

The position is under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia, the direct supervision of the Resilience Coordination Specialist and the Resilience Programme Specialist.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be part of a dynamic team to ensure successful delivery of the agricultural activities and adoption climate-smart agricultural technologies by closely working with other FAO technical experts in agro-ecology, climate smart agriculture, natural resource management, conflict sensitivity, water governance and land tenure.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Crop Mix and Rotation Planning: Develop crop mix and rotation plans for large-scale irrigation projects to maximize local consumption and export potential. • Input and Returns Analysis: Prepare input and returns (gross margins) for various crop options to advise farmers and the government on the most profitable cropping patterns. • Agronomic Advising: Provide expert agronomic guidance to farmers and the government to enhance irrigation system management and profitability. • Technical Expertise: Offer solutions for optimizing crop yield, quality, and resource utilization. • Capacity development: Prepare a farmer training programme on irrigation and water management for beneficiaries on the project. • Support the setting up of farmer groups association: support in set-up productive groups in collaboration with the Project Manager, other Agencies, community, and other Stakeholders. • Quality Assurance: Implement quality control procedures and standards for crop management to ensure high-quality produce. • Collaboration: Work closely with project teams, agricultural stakeholders, and government authorities to achieve project goals. • Report and Documentation: Prepare detailed reports and documentation to support agronomic decisions and recommendations. • Client Interaction: Interact with farmers and government officials to understand their needs, address concerns, and provide guidance for agricultural success.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agronomy, agriculture, crop science, agroecosystem, crop production, and agricultural economics or a related field is required. • At least 5 years of relevant experience in agriculture, agronomy and agroecology. • Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. • Working knowledge of English (level C) for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Proficiency in agriculture, food production, sustainable livelihoods etc. • Strong knowledge of agricultural and crop science. • Effective project management skills. • Problem-solving and analytical abilities. • Excellent communication and presentation skills. • Knowledge of environmental and safety regulations and compliance. • Experience preferably in developing countries, specifically sub-Saharan Africa. • Postgraduate qualifications in Agriculture or a related area will be an advantage. • Experience working with UN or non-governmental organizations is an asset.