National Orange Plantation Agronomist

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Offices, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Lao PDR assists the Government to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the FAO Representative in Lao PDR, in close collaboration with project team, and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

Technical Focus

The National consultant will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Capacity Building for silk and orange production in Lao PDR” (TCP/LAO/3802).

Tasks and responsibilities

• In close coordination with the project team, LTO, AFAOR, support the national project team in providing advice on technical aspects of developing the orange demonstration plot in selected villages, Luang Phrabang Province, Lao PDR;
• Collaborate with an international consultant and the team in developing demonstration plots at selected villages. Prepare technical guidelines on orange production, plot design, data collection template, guide technical staff at PAFO and DAFO levels.
• Conduct on-the-job training, coach model farmers, and apply new techniques in orange production (from preparing nursery to post-harvest)
• Work with the PAFO, DAFO technical staff, and selected farmers on conducting a demonstration, monitoring, and reporting the progress of implementing activities;
• Conduct consultation, data collection, and economic analysis for reporting the result of the demonstration
• Prepare consultation report, the results of conduct the demonstration, and economic analysis report.
• Presenting the results of conducting demonstration to concerning stakeholders, and finalize report for LTO and FAO;
• Perform other related duties when required under the project;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agronomy, agriculture,
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Laos or resident with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experiences on developing demonstration plot, data collection, analysis on agriculture commodities;

• Five years of relevant experience in: conducting demonstration, experiment in agriculture. Experience to work with agriculture production group in rural areas, technical reporting and implementation of agriculture production for commercialization programs;

• Good analytical and writing skills
• Experiences on developing guideline for conduct demonstration, data collection and analysis the result of demonstration, and experience in citrus would be a strong asset
• Experience in farmer’s field school, technical transfer.
• Good understanding of the Lao Agriculture Context
• Good communication skills and teamwork, be able to work with people in rural areas