Crop Production Specialist, SC 9

Organizational Setting

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

Bangladesh has prioritized the elimination of its DDT stockpiles in the national implementation plan (NIP) for Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPSs) management ratified by Stockholm Convention and entered into force in the year 2007. Among the POPSs present in Bangladesh the POPS pesticides, and obsolete pesticides and their wastes are major concern in Bangladesh. Pesticides are mainly used for protection of crops from pest and insect attacks and diseases while of them DDT was used for the vector control of malaria. A huge stockpile of DDT in Chittagong and some significant quantities in other places and obsolete pesticides and their wastes were reported to endanger the human health, aquatic and the environment as a whole. FAO thus with the Government of Bangladesh took the initiative undertake a project for elimination of those pesticides and promote safer alternatives. Farmers use significant amounts of pesticides without proper information about their impacts and use. While some of these pesticides have been banned worldwide including in Bangladesh, DDT could still be in use for some purposes such as for the preservation of dried fish, protection of crops and control of mosquitoes. This project addresses the elimination of stockpiles of POPSs pesticides and wastes in Bangladesh and the reduction of risks from on-going illegal uses of POPSs pesticides in crop production, food processing and public health protection which pose immediate threats to human health, biodiversity and the environment, including inland and coastal waters. One of the outputs to this CPF objective is to develop the capacity for policy, strategy and programme formulation on sustainable natural resources management and environmental protection through identification and promotion of proper and safer alternative methods. Proper management and monitoring of pesticides contamination directly contribute to the Sixth Five Year Plan of Bangladesh.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, direct supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser, guidance provided by the International Pesticide containers and agricultural plastics management expert in coordination with the National Project Director (NPD), the National Specialist will be responsible for the following:

Technical Focus

The incumbent will support to the implementation of Pesticide Risk Reduction in Bangladesh project activities .

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist to promote Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) and alternative technologies to replace pesticides;

• In close collaboration with DAE, implement GAPs in agricultural production and the identified alternative technologies in one or more pilot areas and assist in the dissemination of the lessons learned, the methods, and results;

• Assist with national and international consultants in collaboration with DAE and DoE organize the field staff for campaign and promotional programs to disseminate at the grassroots level the benefits of using non-chemical, less hazardous chemicals and technologies;

• Lead and coordinate training and capacity building activities on GAP for the producers and other stakeholders

• Lead and coordinate awareness raising programme on GAP for maintaining quality standards to enhancing the export potentials of agricultural commodities.

• Working with the existing plant protection and quarantine interventions of government conceiving the project concepts and activities.

• Preparing concept notes of the promotional activities related to alternative technologies to replace pesticides, arranging different activities, keeping documents in appropriate forms of filling;

• Provide support in related project events, including workshops, meetings, and training, as required;

• Follow-up the related programs and initiatives undertaken by international consultants and other project staffs

• In consultation with DAE, decide a process of empty pesticide container and agricultural plastics management in Bangladesh;

• Prepare a report presenting the findings of the survey and making recommendations for recycling, energy recovery or environmentally sound disposal of agricultural plastics;

• Design 2-3 pilot initiatives to trial proposed management options for empty pesticide containers and agricultural plastics;

• Implement and monitor the pilot initiatives and prepare a report with final recommendations for future development and action to comprehensively address empty pesticide containers and agricultural plastics in Bangladesh;

• Organize a farmers’ awareness programme through DAE and BCPA to raise the level of awareness of farmers on pesticide container triple rinsing and management options for pesticide containers and agricultural plastics;

• Any other tasks assigned by STA.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Graduation degree in agriculture, advanced university degree in agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, plant protection, or agricultural extension;

• At least 8 years’ experience working in Plant Protection, Integrated Pest Management; or Integrated Vector Management and/or alternative technology of POP pesticides; and

• Working knowledge of English (Level C) and Bangla

• National of Bangladesh

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building Effective Relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly as field positions is desirable;

• Experience of working in different relevant organizations including FAO will be considered as an asset.

• Extended experience and knowledge in the crop production and nature-based crop protection sector as well as in climate-resilient agriculture;

• Demonstrated experience indesigning,collecting, and analyzing technical information and data on crop production and nature-based crop protection;

• Experience in the preparation, editing, and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops;

• Knowledge of POP pesticides and Stockholm Convention, knowledge of alternative safer technologies for pest control and/or vector management;

• Ability to work under pressure independently within an inter-disciplinary team of personnel with different educational backgrounds and cultural orientations; and demonstrated skills in managing and working with people at all levels;

• Proven ability to communicate credibly and effectively and to represent FAO in dealings with Government and non-government organizations and establish working relationships with government and non-government representatives.

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.