Crops Expert

Organizational Setting

The Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Project (ZEFPP) was developed under the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), a rapid response framework by the African Development Bank (AfDB) to address the food crisis and disruption of the supply of critical inputs for food production arising from the Russia – Ukraine crisis, climate change, conflicts, and pests and diseases. The project will be implemented at community and national levels to support farmers and the government to raise food production in the short term and build food security resilience over the medium to long term. The main objective of the Project is to increase cereal and oil seed production, fertilizer distribution and policy support to mitigate the food crisis and build the resilience of farmers. The specific objective of the project is to immediately increase food production over the next two years by providing support to farmers with seeds and fertilizer to enable them to produce seed and food crops. The Zimbabwe Emergency Food Production Project focuses on four key agricultural commodities namely wheat, maize, soybeans and sunflower. Targeting of these commodities is linked to the disruption of global supply chains emanating from the Russia - Ukraine conflict

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative-Programme, the Crops Specialist will receive overall guidance from the International Resilience Specialist and technical support from the FAO Lead Technical Officer and Project Coordinator.

Technical Focus

The technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows:

• Crop production • Good agricultural practices, • Policy analysis and information systems • Financial services for crop production. • Training, extension and advisory services

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance and technical support to the production of key crops specified under the project : maize, wheat, sunflower, soya bean: • Provide guidance and support in the development of relevant policy and technical briefs • Organize and attend the meetings of the Seeds Thematic Working Group • Support the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation for crop production. • Develop training and extension material, and provide hands on training and extension. • Develop, and implement crop production and, extension strategies with the respective government departments • Facilitate and implement on farm and on station crops demonstrations and trials. • Develop crops pamphlets and other training and extension materials. • Carry out and coordinate training and extension. • Lead the procurement of crop inputs including developing and facilitating clearance of technical specifications, developing delivery schedules inspection of inputs, • Assist in the drafting and following up of LoAs with project partners and providing timely reports on field operation activities. • Conduct any other duty as assigned

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced degree in Crop science, Agronomy, Agricultural sciences or related fields • At least ten years of experience in the crop production sector, plant health, extension and/or research • Working Knowledge (Level C) of English Language • National of Zimbabwe.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Excellent understanding of crop production in Zimbabwe. • Strong technical and analytical skills relevant to crop production • Previous similar work on project/program working with government, NGOs and private sector. • Good communication, facilitation and computer skills • Good interpersonal relationships and strong personality

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.