National Specialist in capacity development (Agronomist) (three positions)

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia under the European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) IV programme. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the 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.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist in capacity development - Agronomist will work under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative in Georgia and the direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with other international and national staff of the ENPARD IV Programme and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) officers in Georgia.

Technical Focus

Technical support in all the activities related to the agronomy component of the support to primary producers and Food Business Operators, with a focus on food safety in the agricultural sector.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Take part in planning and implementation of field activities related to dissemination of information to farmers and using resources for interacting with them through Farmer Field School group work, mass campaigns, individual activities, etc. • Participate in the elaboration of the Annual Extension Workplan and Procurement Plan • Follow up on a monthly basis the Annual WorkPlan to plan the agronomists’ monthly activities to ensure the targets are reached. The Agronomy Specialist will ensure all targets related to Agronomy are met, following up with every Agronomist in charge. • Supervise directly in the field the agronomic demonstration plots in all municipalities through field visits with the Agronomist’s in charge. All Good Agriculture Practices/Demonstration Plot practices should be implemented in each demo: proper land preparation including bed formation, establishment of wind breakers, production of healthy seedlings, proper transplant, irrigation and fertigation, safe crop protection and plant nutrition, composting, etc. The Agronomy Specialist will supervise all activities are implemented. • Ensure the use of the Technical Assistance form in every farm visit by every Agronomist to guarantee the supervision of key issues in the farm and to provide any recommendation to farmer in written form. • Support the Agronomists to organize logistics of Field Days in demonstration plots to train farmers on topics according to plan depending on stage of crop cycle (3 trainings minimum per demo plot per group of farmers); ICC staff, NFA, Implementing Partner organizations and LAG should be informed of Field Days with 1 week anticipation to ensure high participation of farmers. • Work on a regular basis, including joint field visits, with the local MEPA Information-Consultation Centers (ICC) agronomy personnel and relevant field NFA staff. The Agronomy Specialist should visit the municipal ICC offices and local authorities once every quarter to keep a straight collaboration with them. • Collaborate with other teams’ members working in Grants, Policy, Food Safety • Work closely with local Input suppliers in related efforts to provide farmers with technical assistance, supply quality and registered agricultural inputs and assure a safer use of pesticides and fertilizers • Support Agronomists to identify good Lead Farmers • Implement best practices to ensure a high participation of women in every extension activity. • Guarantee the use and recommendation of cleared agriculture inputs only by Agronomists and that they observe all security measures while handling them, using Personal Protective Equipment recommended • Supervise and mentor all Agriculture Interns and organize classroom trainings for them on a monthly basis • Mentor Agronomy Interns in technical matters and to build their professional demeanor. • Supervise the gathering of cost related information by assigned Agronomists, Lead Farmers and Interns • Collaborate closely with Monitoring & Evaluation staff to plan and organize monitoring activities. Support M&E with information requested. Ensure the Jr. Agronomy and Extension Specialists and Interns under her/his supervision report all activities under the M&E system. Revise the accuracy of the M&E weekly report on Extension Activities • Contribute with the making of the quarterly reports to donor • Develop Pesticide and Fertilizers clearance requests to be sent to HQ’s specialists • Support on the whole Procurement process of inputs, equipment, tools and others, from Purchase Requisitions, to Notes to the Files, TORs and TERs • Work on procurement lists under the extension program (seeds characteristics, irrigation, and technical specifications for the materials to be used under extension activities). • Keep good communication with other team members, responding promptly to others requests • Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in Agronomy or Veterinary • Demonstrated 2 years’ experience in Agriculture Technical Extension • Demonstrated experience in field work in agriculture/rural development projects (minimum 3 years) • Working knowledge of English is a must; fluency in Russian will be considered an asset • National of Georgia

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good written, oral, and analytical skills; • Demonstrated experience managing/mentoring staff in agriculture field activities • Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member; • Ability to solve problems and adapt to changing situations in field

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
• For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.