National Consultant on Plant Genetic Resources Sustainable Use

Organizational Setting:

FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan implements “Catalysing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Azerbaijan’s Hazelnut Sector – HAZER” project under the FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Programme (FAPP). The main goal of the project is to empower smallholder farmers to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to increase production efficiency of hazelnut, with adapted mechanization technologies and services and to increase the quality of nuts produced, with specific focus on reducing the risk of aflatoxin contamination. The project will empower newly established Government institutes and state agencies while linking to private sector actors. All the outputs and activities are designed to achieve the development of the capacities of actors in the sector for sustainable improvement of the hazelnut production.

Reports to:

Mr. Bariz Mehdiyev , Assistant to the FAO Representative

Technical Focus:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan, the direct supervision of the Assistant to FAOR, the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer and the Agricultural Officer leading the component on genetic resources, the operational supervision of FAPP Team Leader and in coordination with the Field Programme Unit, in close coordination with the Project Specialist and main project counterpart, the Ministry of Agriculture and Scientific-Research Institute of Fruit and Tea Growing (SRIFTG), the National Consultant will perform the below tasks:

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Participate in a background study on the status of quality Corylus planting material, including seedling development, genetic purity testing and in vitro propagation;
• Carry out interviews with key informants and stakeholders, as required;
• Participate in a review of the capacities (physical and human) and operations at the SRIFTG and other relevant institutions;
• Participate in the review of enabling policy (status of national Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture strategy (PGRFA), germplasm exchange, phytosanitary regulations, and horticultural certification system);
• Assist in interpretation and translation (Azerbaijani - English); Ensuring the quality interpretation and translation of documents produced;
• Carry out any other activities relevant to the project as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements:

• University degree in agronomy, plant protection and genetic resources, biology;
• At least three years of professional experience in genetic research area;
• Knowledge of the English language.
• National of Azerbaijan

FAO Core Competencies:

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Completes tasks in a timely, cost-effective way and/or escalated properly

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience with working in a participatory manner and in different working environments;
• Proven experience in dealing with laboratory activities;
• Familiarity with laboratory certification and training laboratory staff;
• Study report of quality Corylus planting material, including seedling development, genetic purity testing and in vitro propagation in the certain area
• Reports on the activities taken