National Soil Specialist – Laboratory Component
Organizational Setting
FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan is currently implementing “Improvement of Seed and Agro-Chemical Laboratory and Certification Services under the Agrarian Services Agency” project under FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Programme (FAPP, 2016-2021). The project aims to improve the activities of laboratories operating under ASA through development of effective management and oversight system, technical capacity building, provision of necessary equipment, adoption of new and state of the art methodologies/methods, international certification and ensuring the delivery of these services to farmers via online platform.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the Assistant to FAO Representative in Azerbaijan (AFAOR), the direct and operational supervision of the Program Management Specialist (FAPP), the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and responsible FAO Technical Team.
Technical Focus
Organize, support the assessment of laboratories’ capacities and needs, contribute to the establishment of Soil Laboratory Network, facilitate fieldwork and collection of representative soil profiles, guide the capacity development programs for the agency staff, provide contribution to the establishment of online information and decision-support system for farmers focused on soil laboratory data interpretation.
Tasks and responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Assistant to FAO Representative in Azerbaijan (AFAOR), the direct and operational supervision of the Program Management Specialist (FAPP), the technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and responsible FAO Technical Team, National Soil Specialist will carry out the following activities: • Organize and facilitate an inception, progress workshops for relevant project activities; • Support the assessment of laboratories’ capacities and needs; • Coordinate the procurement of laboratory equipment (finalization of technical specifications, technical evaluation of the offers, delivery of the equipment and its installation and training on use); • Coordinate the establishment of the National Soil Laboratory Network for the country; • Facilitate technical coordination and collaboration between the national and international consultants, laboratory and field teams; • Advise on the identification of the participants for workshops and other engagements that require participation of different actors; • Guide the implementation of capacity development programme for agency employees on dry and wet soil chemistry, and on the establishment and maintenance of the Azeri Soil Information System (AzSIS); • Develop (setup and running) an online information and decision-support system for farmers focused on soil laboratory data interpretation and the provision of soil management recommendations; • Solicit inputs from specialists (International Soil Specialist, National Soil Specialist (Soil Component) and FAO Technical Team) to prepare regular reports.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in in chemistry and/or chemistry related sciences (organic chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental chemistry; • 7 years of years of experience in agricultural/environmental analysis, conducting and supporting scientific experiments and research, data analysis and interpretation team working; experience working with farmers; • Working knowledge of English is required; • National of Azerbaijan or a resident in the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement