Crop Production Specialist (Dry Land Agronomist)

Organizational Setting:

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by FAO Representative is to assist governments to develop policies, programs 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.

The mission of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is to work to eradicate hunger and promote global food security together with balanced and complete nutrition. Our mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

Our three main goals are: the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition; the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all; and, the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air, climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

FAO Ethiopia is working with Federal and Regional governments by designing and implementing various projects, mainly with objective of achieving food security, improved livelihoods and sustainable management and utilization of natural resources through normative support works, as well as providing advice and support for uptake of knowledge, technologies and good practices. Towards this effort, FAO Ethiopia has a plan to strengthen dryland crop production in Afar Region through promotion of improved technologies and best practices for enhanced production and productivity.

Reporting Lines:

Under the general supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Ethiopia, direct supervision of the FAO Afar Field Office Coordinator, the technical guidance of the Agriculture Team Leader, and in close collaboration with other FAO units, Crop Production Specialist-Dry land Agronomist will be responsible for technical support in the implementation of FAO projects in Afar Region with the objective of achieving sustainable plant/crop production intensification and diversification.

Technical Focus

The Crop Production Specialist- Dry land Agronomist will provide technical support to the implementation of a project on Strengthening crop intensification and diversification pertinent to dryland ecosystem through promotion of improved technologies and best practices for enhanced production and productivity in close collaboration with key partners. He or she will collect and analyze information, data and statistics and provide support to projects, products and services. Provide technical support, facilitate capacity building training, monitor and evaluate project implementation at field level.

Tasks and responsibilities

She/He will provide overall operational support to the project including the following main responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the Sustainable Crop Production Intensification (SCPI) and diversification work programme across all Regional Initiatives and Strategic Objectives, providing technical support to the regional government that will assist their capacity for integrating SCPI and diversification activities in regional programmes, including activities to strengthen SCPI and diversification programmes through the concerted strengthening of conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA); • Coordinate Seed Security Assessment (SSA), facilitate seed system security assessment (SSSA), produce list of adapted varieties of different crops in the region and identify major challenges of seed supply system in the region, produce report about potential seed suppliers in the region and the delivery of quality seeds and planting materials to growers; • Participate in the preparation and review of FAO Afar region field programme/project and thematic work plans to ensure technical consistency; • Participate in the preparation of FAO Afar region SCPI and diversification projects work plans, monitor progress and, where necessary, identify and report corrective measures to ensure timely delivery of projects; • Contribute to the drafting and updating of all FAO Afar Field Office reports and any other documentation prepared for specific donors, related to SCPI and diversification; • Support implementation of FAO Afar region projects with components related to plant/crop production and diversification and plant protection; • Support assessment of the existing situation on the role of public and private sectors on Teff supply chain and marketing to identify institutional and policy constraints; • Contribute to the drafting of Letters of Agreement (LoA) and other operational documents in support of FAO Afar Region SCPI and diversification projects and monitor the implementation of such Agreements; • Support preparation of technical guidelines, manuals, training materials and leaflets on improved crop production technologies and best practices; • Provide support to the development and implementation of capacity development activities in favour of private and public stakeholders to develop and implement SCPI and diversification projects and programmes; • Provide perspectives on thematic cross-cutting initiatives such as: biodiversity, good agriculture practices, organic agriculture and conservation agriculture, soil fertility management, grassland management and crop/livestock interaction for inclusion in plant production programmes; • Liaise with other UN and Development Partners and NGOs in the region to ensure timely and relevant participation of the FAO Afar Region Office in the UN and other coordination platforms and mechanisms relevant to sustainable plant/crop production; • Contribute to the conducting of periodic reviews and appraisals of crop production in the region; and • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• The candidate should be a national of Ethiopia • Minimum of advanced university degree in agriculture, plant science or related fields • A minimum of 8 years of practical and extensive experience in crop assessment, agricultural extension, agricultural research, monitoring and evaluation of projects, marketing and related areas of work; and • Working knowledge of English and good knowledge of the local language (s) used at the duty station is required.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Substantial understanding of the crop sector of the country and related initiatives in Ethiopia; • Good understanding of crop value chain and seed supply system; • Demonstrated ability to work independently, handle multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments timely; • Good training facilitation/delivery and presentation skills; and • Technical reports writing skill.

Selection Criteria

Academic Qualification, relevant experience, readiness to work in a multi-cultural environment, honesty and aptitude

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.