National Professional Officer (Crop Production and Plant Protection)

Organizational Setting

FAO Afghanistan is investing, across all 34 provinces, in resilience-reinforcing actions that focus on protecting agriculture livelihoods and local ecosystems, boosting local production of nutritious foods and cash incomes, and safeguarding critical agriculture sectoral development gains achieved over the past couple of decades through revitalizing rural markets and economy. In 2023 and going forward till 2025, FAO will, under the life-saving assistance Outcome (1) of the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UN SFA), focus on the following four priority actions: (i) Safeguarding Wheat Seed Security, (ii) Enhancing Local Production of Nutritious Food including diversifying crop production, (iii) Livestock Protection and Dairy Sector Support, and (iv) Restoring Irrigation Structures to Boost Cash Incomes. Additionally, FAO will contribute towards resilience-building activities under Outcome 2 of the UN SFA.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Crop Production and Plant Protection) works under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) in Afghanistan and the direct supervision of the Emergency and Rehabilitation Officer.

Technical Focus

Crop production and plant protection-related programme development and management, coordination and operational support based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient management and coordination of the technical and operational support of the crop production and plant protection-related programme and project activities of the FAO Representation on area Agriculture particularly seed sector development.

Key Functions

• Advises and liaises with government authorities, local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities and other UN agencies. Represents FAO at inter-agency meetings. • Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including the coordination of development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications; provides FAO's information, knowledge and resources to government, NGOs, the private sector and other local entities on food, nutrition and agriculture situations; and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, etc.) in the country. • Coordinates and manages the maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and monitor and communicate changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector. • Produces technical, economic and policy studies as required and participates in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). • Identifies, formulates and prepares programme and project proposals, monitors and reviews the status of the programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and submits proposals to the FAOR on how to improve results and increase efficiency. • Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job. Ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided. • Performs other duties as required.

Specific Function

• Produces technical, economic and policy studies as required and participates in the development of country-level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). • Collaborates with pertinent technical units at headquarters and RAP to bring in a medium to long term vision and strategic direction on development of the crop production and plant protection sector in Afghanistan that will help FAO contribute in the achievement of national goals on food security and agriculture sectoral development as well as towards sustainable agrifood systems transformation and the four betters of FAO. • Coordinates technical inputs and processes from key stakeholders such as line ministries, national, and international institutions, and the private sector into the project activities. • Manages the crop production and plant protection activities of the ongoing projects. • Identifies, formulates and prepares programme and project proposals and work plans on crop production and plant protection, monitors and reviews the status of the programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and submits proposals to the FAOR on how to improve results and increase efficiency. • Coordinates with stakeholders related to crop production and protection and promotes smart agriculture practices, delivers the project’s crop production and protection activities in accordance with the project document and approved annual work plan and budget. • Supports in monitoring projects’ fund use and ensures it meets FAO standards for conducting financial management and control. • Drafts project procurement documents including draft terms of reference, letters of agreement, request for proposals, bidding documents and other materials and obtain needed technical clearances. • Organizes annual project workshops, and coordination meetings with the relevant staff and units to monitor the crop production and protection progress. • Ensures collaboration and coordination between the participating institutions and organizations related to crop production and protection activities and initiatives. • Reviews the six-monthly project progress reports related to activities in crop production and protection, other management reports and terminal reports as required. • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of Afghanistan. • Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, forestry, fisheries, or any other field related to the work of the Organization. • Five years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO's activities in the country. • Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and of the local language (Pashto and Dari).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions. • Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project development and management. • Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO. • Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development OR extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries. • Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.