Field Technical Assistant

Overview

Provide technical support for agricultural productivity and food security.

You have:

• University degree in agriculture, rural development, rural sociology, development studies, economics, finance, or other relevant fields.
• At least five (5) years’ experience as coordinator/field liaison officer/assistant or field operation officer with UN agencies, INGOs and government.
• Working knowledge of English and Myanmar.
• Nationality of Myanmar.

Organizational Setting

FAO Myanmar is implementing the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project: “TCP/MYA/4005, Facilitating better production for smallholder farmers in Central Dry Zone”. The project focuses on improving agricultural productivity, soil health, and food security by promoting climate-smart and sustainable practices and integrates community-based seed multiplication and natural fertilizer production with the establishment of village-level saving and credit groups. These groups will enable farmers to save income from production, access affordable credit, and reinvest in their farming activities, promoting both financial inclusion and resilience. By linking financial mechanisms with sustainable agricultural practices, the project aims to build self-reliant and resilient farming communities. The Project activities will be implemented by the FAO Representation Office in Myanmar with the support of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok and in collaboration with implementing partners in Myanmar.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Myanmar and under the technical guidance of the Agricultural Officer RAP (Lead Technical Officer), direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), in close collaboration and coordination with the Technical Officer in the Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESPDD), and National Programme Specialist, the incumbent will assist in the development and day-to-day operation of the project activities.

Technical Focus

The Assistant will provide technical support to soil health and food security by promoting sustainable practices in consultation with the project responsible manager and the Programme Specialist. The primary objective of this initiative is to guide and support technical inputs as needed for the project, being important to provide important technical aspects of the project. Key responsibilities are categorised as follows:

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical input to the project to ensure that activities are in accordance with the Project Document and implementation modalities. • Prepare the baseline assessment questionnaires for seed production and natural fertilizer production • Participate in the field project activities, such as capacity building training, workshops, meetings and community mass meetings, and provide necessary technical inputs to improve the performance of the project. • Identify and select villages and farmers for the establishment of seed production and natural fertilizer producer groups. • Provide technical support in conducting community meetings in each of the 30 villages to introduce the concept and objectives of seed producers and natural fertilizer producer groups. • Ensure access to improved resources for members involved in seed multiplication and fertilizer production. • Facilitate the training manuals for seed production and natural fertilizer production with the support of service provider • Support the conducting of trainings for seed production and natural fertilizer production • Accompany technical monitoring field visit if needed to project areas to ensure the operations of seed production and natural fertilizer production • Provide technical support on recommendations on operational challenges and learning opportunities of different groups based on field observations. • Regularly meet with the MEAL team for MEAL activities of the project and update the MEAL data. • Support follow-up and coordination related to the savings and credit schemes and seeds and natural fertilizer production. • Seek for opportunities in other FAO projects for promoting synergies and complementarities in project implementation and necessary contributions to the new project proposals development • Perform other related duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, rural development, rural sociology, development studies, economics, finance, or other relevant fields. • At least five (5) years’ experience as coordinator/field liaison officer/assistant or field operation officer with UN agencies, INGOs and government • Working knowledge of English and Myanmar • Nationality of Myanmar

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in the project target regions/townships with FAO or other UN agencies, INGOs and government will be preferred and considered an asset • Proven capacity and experience in working at the community level, national and sub-national levels • Experience in seed and natural fertilizer production with focus on the following aspects • Proven experience in developing sustainable plan for seed and natural fertilizer production. • Technical skills in microbusiness/microenterprises, entrepreneurships and business management planning and implementation. • Skills and experience in management of community based and community led leadership and skills management capacity building trainings and exposures. • Experience of developing backward and forward linkages and productive networking for seed and natural fertilizer producer groups. • Technical knowledge of innovation in social enterprise development for women empowerment, income generating activities, investments, income enhancement and income diversification. • Experience in writing and publishing technical reports for the government, international developmental agency or international NGO. • Previous working experience in another low and medium country is desirable.

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Potential interview questions

Added 8 months ago - Updated 7 months ago - Source: fao.org