National Pesticide Management Specialist TCP/SEY/3804

Organizational Setting:

FAO Representative in Madagascar, to Comoros, Mauritius and Seychelles.

Background

During the last 20 years the country has accumulated a significant quantity of obsolete pesticides as a result of inadequate stock management, bans on certain pesticides, and excess supply from donor agencies (e.g. for vector control). Most agricultural pesticides are imported and sold by the Seychelles Agricultural Agency requisite stores for use by local farmers and gardeners. Another major importer is the Ministry of Health, for vector control (e.g. mosquitoes). The private importers include those businesses that are involved in professional household and structural pest management and a private importer who provides agricultural products. According to information from the Pesticides Board (with representation from Health, Agriculture, Environment, Employment, etc.), there is approximately 3 metric tons of obsolete pesticides left over from vector control operations. For the agricultural sector (e.g. agricultural stores and at farm level), a complete inventory is required, both for obsolete pesticides and empty contaminated containers. Inventory on various sites (including pesticides stores and farms) would concentrate on overall quantities and properties (e.g. pesticides identified and quantities of each active ingredients, type of pesticides, toxicity, etc.).

Therefore, there is an urgent need to support the Ministry of Agriculture in inventorying, assessing the status, repacking, storage, transport and disposal of obsolete pesticides stocks. In addition, and in order to prevent the build-up of new obsolete and unwanted pesticides stocks, it is of utmost importance to build the capacity of relevant governmental staff and private sector stakeholders in “Pesticides Life Cycle Management” and prevention of build-up of obsolete and unwanted pesticides stocks.

The safeguarding of the identified obsolete pesticides and contaminated empty containers could be based on storage facilities in several strategic positions all over the country. Staff members of the Seychelles Agricultural Agency Ministry of Environment, Health and other stakeholders from the public sector and private sector would need specialized training by an international expert. Special equipment, such as UN-approved drums, would have to be procured for the storage purposes. The initial inventory would provide the necessary information, baseline data and knowledge necessary to inform eventual disposal of the stockpiles.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Seychelles (Budget Holder), the technical supervision of the Agricultural Officer SFS/NSPCD and the international consultant on obsolete pesticides; and in close consultation the National Project Coordinator (NPC), the consultant will undertake the following specific:

Technical Focus:

Agriculture and health safety

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant will undertake the following activities to provide technical and functional support to the project “Inventory and disposal of obsolete pesticides and empty pesticides containers in the Seychelles– TCP//SEY/3801”.

• Prepare training materials on life cycle management of pesticides (2 days)
• Provide training on general pesticide management (3 days)
• Support the training on national inventory, safeguarding, repackaging, disposal and Principles of prevention of obsolete pesticides and associated wastes (2 days)
• Draft key communication messages on sound pesticide management and pesticide risk reduction (3 days)
• Support the undertaking of national inventory of obsolete pesticides (3 days).
• Provide technical support during safeguarding, repackaging and transportation for disposal (15 days)
• Prepare mission/training and consultancy reports (2 days)

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in any agricultural related field and pesticide use,
• At least 5 years professional experience working in pesticide.
• Experiences on developing agriculture Institutional Framework and drafting and implementation of agriculture related sectoral development programs
• Working knowledge of English
• Nationality of Seychelles or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong administrative and organisational skills,
• Computer literacy
• Good English technical report writing skills.
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation
• Ability to work independently, with minimum supervision
• Good analytical and writing skills