Crop Production and Technology Dissemination Specialist
Provide technical support in field coordination and quality assurance for NUS production and technology dissemination.
Overview
Provide technical support in field coordination and quality assurance for NUS production and technology dissemination.
You have:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or related field
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in crop production systems, with demonstrated expertise in neglected/underutilized crops, climate-smart agriculture, and seed systems
- Working knowledge of English
- National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with a valid work permit
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: • advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate; • provide technical assistance and deliver core services; • assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; • position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; • ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.
In this context FAO Nepal is supporting the Government of to contextualizing production models to its unique agro-ecologies, strengthening seed and extension systems, generating field-level evidence, and contributing to regional learning platforms on the aspects of NUS and hence is seeking to hire an Crop Production and Technology Dissemination Expert who will work under the overall supervision of the cluster lead and work closely with project LTO (based in RAP), International Crop Production Specialist and the National Project Coordinator (NPC).
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of FAO Representative in Nepal, the direct supervision of Assistant FAOR (Programme) and in close consultation with Project Manager, Programme Specialist, Lead Technical Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP), the expert will deliver below duties and responsibilities.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will provide technical support in field coordination and quality assurance for NUS production, seed multiplication, climate-smart agronomy, farmer capacity-building and SMEs development, ensuring project targets are achieved by mainstreaming NUS into climate-resilient, nutritious, and market-oriented food systems through policy advocacy, agronomic innovation, integration of traditional knowledge, scalable models, and monitoring —aligned with regional methodologies and outputs. The selected candidate will also ensure Nepal’s experiences inform regional knowledge products and supports cross-country learning under TCP/RAS/4013. The incumbent’s responsibilities will not include stakeholder engagement or representation of the Organization.
Tasks and responsibilities
Regional Alignment and Coordination
• Contribute Nepal’s data, lessons, and field results to regional workshops, position papers, and cross-country exchanges. • Under supervision and guidance of AFAOR (Programme), support participation in regional virtual meetings and contribute inputs, in coordination with the Programme Specialist, to the regional policy dialogue and regional NUS documents.
National Planning, Diagnostics, and Prioritization
• Under supervision and guidance of AFAOR (Programme), support Country Office team in developing Nepal’s NUS work plan and sub-national implementation plan aligned with the CPF outcomes. • Under supervision and guidance of AFAOR (Programme), support Country Office team in Nepal’s NUS Diagnostic Study, ensuring coverage of agro-ecology, nutrition, gender, and market potential. • Participate in mapping and prioritization of NUS-producing areas and species based on field evidence. • Support organization of the Workshops and stakeholder consultations.
Production System Strengthening & Seed Multiplication
• Assist the formation and technical strengthening of Producer Farmer Groups (PFGs) in Nepal (two per crop as per project design). • Provide technical support in establishing and monitoring: o Seed multiplication plots o Demonstration plots for climate-smart agronomy and improved GAP o Monitor seed quality, yield performance, and documentation of farmer-led innovations.
Farmer Capacity Building and Technology Dissemination
• Support establishment and facilitation of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) for NUS crops (aligned with TCP target: two FFS per crop). • Adapt training materials on GAP, IPM, soil management, nutrition integration, and post-harvest practices to the Nepal context. • Deliver training sessions for farmers, women groups, youth, and extension workers.
Value Addition, Nutrition Integration & SME Support
In line with CPF Outcome 2.1 and 2.2: • Under supervision and guidance of AFAOR (Programme), support in coordination with the contracted Professional Organization (PO) responsible for participatory needs assessment, market analysis, and SME development. • Under supervision and guidance of AFAOR (Programme), support training events for women on nutrition, processing, and value addition of NUS-based foods. • Assist in organizing trade fairs, local exhibitions, and market linkage events.
Monitoring, Reporting, Knowledge Management
• Track adoption rates, production performance, seed system strengthening, and behavioural change among farmers. • Document case studies, success stories, and Nepal-specific lessons contributing to regional knowledge products. • Prepare monthly/quarterly progress reports for submission to the NPC and International Consultant. • Ensure all deliverables are cleared by LTO.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or related field • Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in crop production systems, with demonstrated expertise in neglected/underutilized crops, climate-smart agriculture, and seed systems • Working knowledge of English • National of Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal or resident of the country with a valid work permit
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience working with federal, provincial/local governments, cooperatives, and rural communities. • Hands-on experience with demonstration plots, seed multiplication, and technology dissemination in smallholder contexts. Experience in capacity development, training including FFS and extension system strengthening • Excellent facilitation, communication, and report writing skills • Proven expertise in climate-smart agriculture technologies, conducting rapid assessments, and developing technical materials focused on the NUS promotion.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with climate-smart agriculture and its application in crop production systems? | This question assesses your expertise and practical knowledge in applying climate-smart agriculture techniques. | Share specific examples where you've implemented climate-smart agriculture practices effectively. |
| How do you approach capacity building for smallholder farmers? | The interviewer wants to know your strategies for empowering farmers through training and education. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What strategies would you use to ensure that seed multiplication plots are successful? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you provide an example of how you’ve used data to inform agricultural practices? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to engage local communities in agriculture projects? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you integrate nutritional knowledge into agricultural training programs? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What challenges have you faced when working with federal and local governments, and how did you overcome them? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe your experience in organizing workshops and stakeholder consultations in the agricultural sector. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 18 hours ago
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Updated 8 hours ago
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Source:
fao.org
