National Agronomist and Plant Protection Specialist
Assist in implementing sustainable agricultural practices and pest management.
This opening expired 2 years ago.
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Overview
Assist in implementing sustainable agricultural practices and pest management.
You have:
- A bachelor or advanced degree in agronomy/agriculture, entomology, plant pathology, pest management or plant protection, crop science, agroecosystem, crop production, or a closely related field.
- At least seven years relevant experience in plant protection, agriculture, agronomy and agroecology.
- Working knowledge of English.
- National of Rwanda.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) plays a pivotal role in achieving the 2030 Agenda by promoting more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems through its Strategic Framework. This Framework aims for better production, nutrition, environment, and life, ensuring no one is left behind.
FAO collaborates with a wide range of partners globally, including farmers' groups, traders, NGOs, UN agencies, development banks, and agribusiness firms, to fulfil its mission (for more detailed information, visit [FAO's website] (http://www.fao.org). The FAO country office is led by an FAO Representative, support governments in developing policies, programs, and projects to secure food, reduce hunger and malnutrition, and sustainably develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors.
In Rwanda, FAO focuses on four priority areas: 1. Promoting innovative and sustainable Crop, Livestock, and Aquaculture production systems. 2. Improving food security and resilient agriculture against climate and other shocks through diversified production systems. 3. Enhancing inclusivity in agricultural market systems, as well as the value and competitiveness of agricultural commodities in domestic, regional, and international markets. 4. Creating an enabling environment and responsive institutions for effective service delivery.
Aligned with the government's strategic priorities, FAO Rwanda supports various aspects of the agricultural sector, including research and innovation, to drive transformation. This includes introducing new crop varieties, mitigating pests and diseases, and enhancing farmers' capacities for agricultural intensification and value addition. Recognizing the ongoing need to spearhead agricultural development in Rwanda, FAO is committed to addressing the challenges that impede sustainable agriculture production and productivity.
To this end, FAO Rwanda seeks to hire an Agronomist and Plant Protection Specialist. This role will assist the Rwandan government in applying Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to control pests and diseases, thereby enhancing the country's agricultural production and productivity.
Reporting Lines
The selected candidate will report to the FAO Representative in Rwanda through the Better Production Officer at FAO-Rwanda, under the technical supervision of the Project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with national counterparts and FAO-SFE technical officers.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will join the dynamic Better Production team, committed to ensuring the successful delivery of agricultural services through the implementation of best practices in agriculture. By adopting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy, the team aims to reduce the reliance on conventional chemical pesticides, which pose risks to sustainable production, health, and the environment. The IPM approach, focusing on safer alternatives, aims to mitigate issues such as secondary pest outbreaks, the development of pesticide resistance, and the destruction of natural enemies of plant pests.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will specifically:
• Develop, review, and oversee the implementation of best agricultural practices and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to boost productivity and manage pests sustainably in Rwanda. • Support the design and execution of pest early warning, monitoring, forecasting, and response systems, including the preparation of preventive and contingency plans for plant pests. • Assess and enhance pest management capacities, including institutional, technical, operational, and resource aspects, and provide recommendations for improvements. • Support the FAO Country office to evaluate pest and disease statuses and assist in the design and implementation of effective IPM regimes, ensuring compliance with equipment specifications and environmental risk management practices in Rwanda. • Contribute to the development and implementation of training programs for government staff, extension workers, and farmers on sustainable agriculture and pest management practices, including the creation of training materials. • Provide technical support and guidance on pesticide use, emphasizing environmental risk management, and support the establishment of institutional partnerships and mandates for IPM implementation. • Identify research areas, participate in resource mobilization for agricultural projects in line with strategic frameworks, and implement activities through transparent and accountable procedures. • Support to the FAO Country office for the technical advice and policy assistance to national counterparts, ensuring quality, effectiveness, and knowledge sharing in agricultural practices. • Perform other tasks as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• A bachelor or advanced degree in agronomy/agriculture, entomology, plant pathology, pest management or plant protection, crop science, agroecosystem, crop production, or a closely related field. • At least seven years relevant experience in plant protection, agriculture, agronomy and agroecology. • Working knowledge of English. • National of Rwanda.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Proven experience in project identification, formulation, design and implementation. • Proficiency in IPM project design and implementation, with a strong preference for experience in international donor-funded projects. • Strong analytical skills, with a systematic approach to assignments and the capability to manage large datasets with excellent attention to detail. • In-depth knowledge of environmental and safety regulations, ensuring compliance in all projects. • Exceptional analytical, report writing, oral, and written communication skills, with proficiency in English and effective presentation capabilities. • Advanced computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet research. • Ability to work independently, meet tight deadlines, and maintain high performance under pressure. • Excellent interpersonal and teamwork abilities, with a knack for networking and engaging with policy and decision-makers.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your experience with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies? | The interviewer wants to understand your practical exposure to IPM and its effectiveness. | Provide specific examples of IPM projects you've worked on and the outcomes. |
| How do you ensure compliance with environmental safety regulations in your projects? | This question gauges your understanding of environmental regulations and their importance in agriculture. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to train farmers or extension workers in sustainable agriculture? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenging agricultural project you managed. What was the outcome? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you assess and enhance pest management capacities? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 2 years ago
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Updated 1 year ago
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Source:
fao.org
