National Integrated Plant Nutrient Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The project “Responding to the Economic Crisis: Protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods through safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seed for better productivity in paddy farming” aims at responding to the Economic Crisis in Sri Lanka, protecting smallholder farmer livelihoods through safe and efficient use of fertilizer and quality seed for better productivity in paddy farming. The project promotes transition of Sri Lankan agriculture towards more sustainable farming inputs including integrating use of organic fertilizer through IPNM. For this, the project will focus on soil fertility and supply of precise amount of plant nutrient for sustaining the desired productivity through optimization of the benefits of all possible sources of organic, inorganic and biological components in an integrated manner. This would address a vital missing component in the country’s crop management system for paddy and would be extremely beneficial for both environmental and economic perspectives.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will provide technical leadership and backup in order to ensure the delivery of project outputs under the results 3 of the project to a high standard, and in a cost effective manner, taking into account national and international best practices and research results, and in accordance with FAO, Government and donor norms. He / She will be under the overall administrative leadership and supervision of the FAO Representative in Sri Lanka (FAOR) and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the National Project manager. He / She is expected to function with the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at the Headquarters in Rome, National Project Manager and in collaboration with the Integrated Plant Nutrient Management Operations Specialist (IPNMOS), and in close consultation with the Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka & The Department of Agriculture.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that the outputs and targets under the expected results 2 of the project are met. Specifically extension officials and farmers trained on the right amount, safe and efficient use of fertilizer through IPNM strategy by developing an INPM strategy for paddy rice farming in Sri Lanka, developing a training and capacity building module on IPNM to use in capacity building of 300 extension workers, and targeted 41,000 smallholder paddy farmers through farmer field schools in selected 4 districts Hambantota, Ampara, Polonnaruwa and Badulla in Sri Lanka.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Act as the focal point of the IPNM component of the project;
• Develop a standard procedure for producing quality seeds meeting the requirement of certified and quality declared seed;
• Prepare a technical guidance for farmers to comply with the seed quality assurance regulations and certifications through the consultation with the seed registration authority;
• Support IPNMOS to identify ecosystem based crop nutrition requirement, soil indigenous nutrient availability and supply flow paths, recycling systems, and identifying suitable biomass generating crop species specific to different farming conditions while studying the soil biological systems;
• Support IPNMOS to identify untapped nutrient sources and investigations on nutrient conservation in soil-plant systems;
• Support IPNMOS to identify global and local results of proven IPNM strategies for paddy rice;
• Assist IPNMOS to define site-specific nutrient management strategies for different ecosystems with different yield potentials ;
• Assist IPNMOS to develop IPNM strategy by localizing the research information already available and updating the research results on IPNM practices for diverse agro-ecological settings and cropping systems in Sri Lanka;
• Contribute to develop Training of Trainers Modules on IPNM and translate them into local languages;
• Facilitate and be a resource person for Training of Trainers programme on IPNM;
• Contribute to develop farmer training modules on IPNM/ / translate into local languages;
• Coordinate with the International IT expert and National IT consultant upgrading of LMS platforms;
• Monitor and evaluate the IPNM component of the project;
• Be responsible the continuous capacity building programme for the TOTs and the farmers;
• Provide continuous technical assistance for the TOTs and Farmers;
• Conduct field visits as required;
• Performance monitoring
• Periodic reporting

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agro ecology, Crop Science, and Plant and soil science.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in integrated plant nutrient management, agriculture, extension, module development, training and capacity building.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English language together with Sinhala or Tamil is required.
• A National of Sri Lanka

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in the project areas in Sri Lanka
• Experience in Integrated plant nutrient management, specifically in paddy would be advantages
• Experience in development of plant nutrient management strategies, training modules and conducting trainings
• Familiarity with examining and analysing the agronomical practices and techniques to improve the crop productivity.

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.