National Soil Specialist – Soil 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

Evaluate, analyse and present soil analysis methods, facilitate fieldwork and collection of representative soil profiles, develop and conduct training programs.

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, the incumbent will carry out the following activities: • Ensure the preparation and periodical revision of the work plan of the soil component, in collaboration with key project stakeholders; • 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 (soil survey, soil data management and digital soil mapping); • Solicit inputs from consultants to prepare regular reports; • Coordinate field teams and soil surveys; • Guide implementation of training program for field soil survey and laboratory analysis; • Undertake field work on soil survey; • Facilitate field work training during the soil surveying of preselected areas and collection of representative soil profiles; • Participate in training of laboratory work and review the analyses of collected soil samples; • Contribute to the analysis of soil samples collected during the soil survey; • Process and review the analyses of collected soil samples; • Participate in the process of validation of the soil analyses; • Complete evaluation, validation and preparation of soil profile data for creation of soil database.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, soil science or related field and focus on soil mapping, soil surveys and soil classification; • 7 years of years of experience in soil surveys, data analysis and management, soil classification and soil mapping, planning, setting up and undertaking field surveys, conducting, and supporting scientific organizations and research activities; • Working knowledge of English is required; • National of Azerbaijan or a resident with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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