Honey bees experts

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.

An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

FAO-Saudi Arabia is seeking for high calibre specialists in beekeeping, Honey bees breeding and conservation, Honeybees health and disease, beekeeping management, honey quality and value addition/product diversification.

Reporting Lines

The Honeybee experts report to Technical Advisor - Honey bee breeder the under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Assistant Director General/ Regional Representative, RNE.

Technical Focus

Capacity development and knowledge management for enhancing Honeybee sector in KSA.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Honeybee experts will contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of the project component on “beekeeping and honey production”’ and will carry out the following tasks:

• Design and preparation of national honeybee breeding program for selection and genetic improvement,
• Design and study the presence or absence of introgression of exotic genes on local bees,
• Prepare and demonstrate mass queen rearing, and production of mated queens and package bees
• Design and demonstrate rearing and maintaining of sufficient drones for natural mating and artificial insemination
• Assess and identify major honeybee diseases and pests in the country,
• Design and demonstrate major honeybee disease and pests prevention and control measures,
• Prepares and implements an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for honeybee disease control,
• Design and demonstrate improved bee colony management techniques following the local seasonal calendar,
• Design and determine the extent of adulteration and contaminations imported and locally produced honeys,
• Design and apply residue monitoring plan for locally produced and imported honeys,
• Design and practically demonstrate value addition and diversification of bee products to beekeepers, women and youth entrepreneurs.
• Identify benchmarking countries and international best practices and success stories in queen rearing, selection, breeding, honeybee disease prevention and control, improved bee management practice and value addition and bee products diversification and utilization.
• Assist with the design and preparation of guidelines and manuals and the implementation of training programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in biology, entomology, genetics, animal science or any related field.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience in beekeeping, research, development, training and extension and working closely with honeybees colonies ,
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working with honeybees of different ecological regions and races
• Work experience in more than one regions and particularly in field positions with ability to provide technical and advisory services.
• International work experience in technical cooperation projects including familiarity with results frameworks, project work planning and budgeting.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions.
• Analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset.
• Proficiency in English is essential and familiarity with Arabic language is desirable.