National Team Leader in Turkey (Part-Time position)

Organizational Setting:

The GEF-funded and FAO-implemented project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Turkey” (GCP/SEC/011/GFF) is a sub-regional project, implemented in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkey under the Budget Holdership of FAO Sub-Regional Coordinator for Central Asia (SEC-SRC). The project aims to reduce POPs release from obsolete pesticide stockpiles and contaminated sites of the recipient countries and strengthen the capacity for the sound management of pesticides. The project has four components, specific objectives of each are to:

• safely destroy up to 900 tonnes of POPs and obsolete pesticides and remediate a pesticide-contaminated site (Component 1). This includes updating national inventories of obsolete pesticides (OP); developing national management strategies of obsolete pesticides, empty pesticide containers and contaminated soils; safeguarding and disposing of obsolete pesticides, including an assessment of national disposal options; assessing and managing contaminated sites; introducing national systems to manage empty pesticide containers; and undertaking risk communication in communities at risk by pesticides wastes;
• strengthen the institutional and regulatory framework for managing pesticides through their life cycle (Component 2). This includes a review of the legal framework for pesticides management; strengthening pesticide registration systems; acquire gender-disaggregated data on pesticide spraying practices and Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) use; and promote improved spraying practices;
• increase the successful uptake of alternatives to chemical pesticides on key crops (Component 3). This includes an assessment of climate change on the prevalence of pests and diseases; strengthening pest and disease monitoring; and implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) field trials to quantify the benefits of improved agricultural practices including reduced use of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs); and
• Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and communication activities (Component 4) to create the necessary conditions for beneficiary knowledge and participation in project activities.

Reporting Lines:

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for Central Asia and FAO Representative in Turkey (SEC/SRC), FAO Budget Holder, the direct technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the operational guidance of the Field Programme Unit, SEC, and the day-to-day supervision of the Senior Technical Advisor (STA), the National Team Leader will be responsible for the different activities in Turkey across the different components. All the work has to be carried out in close coordination with the government partners and other national stakeholders. The post is located in Ankara, Turkey.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Coordinate activities in Turkey including liaising with governmental stakeholders, elaborating work plans and budgets in consultation with stakeholders, and following administrative and operational procedures at FAO to implement activities;
• Support multidisciplinary national team in carrying out different activities under the project; liaise with technical departments at FAO and with all relevant national stakeholders such as Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Environment;
• Liaise with potential LoA partners, draft new relevant LoAs under all components, provide technical guidance to LoA partners and monitor day-to-day implementation of LoAs;
• Provide necessary support to International and National Consultants as needed;
• Report on progress as requested, participate in the Team Calls every second week;
• Highlight implementation issues in a timely manner and suggest mitigation activities;
• Organise and/or attend project meetings;
• Update annual Work Plans including in minimum following elements:
  • Provide support to the establishment of a National Container Management System in Turkey including legislative aspects, baseline assessment and pilot activities;
  • Provide support in assessing the current situation on Agricultural Plastic Wastes;
  • Provide support to the development of a pilot inventory of contaminated sites;
  • Design and implement IPM promotion activities and investigate marketing opportunities for IPM products under guidance by the FAO project team;
  • Design and implement activities to strengthen the pesticide registration system;
  • Design and implement activities for decreasing the amount of chemical pesticides used in Turkey (e.g. sound spraying operations) under guidance by the FAO project team;
  • Design and implement activities for the disposal of annual arisings of legacy and confiscated pesticides under guidance by the FAO project team;
  • Implement and follow up activities related to the Communication Road Map of Turkey prepared under this project;
• Implement the Work Plan 2021;
• Provide inputs for Project Implementation Report (PIR) and Project Progress Report (PPR);
• Mobilize in kind contributions from the government to the project;
• Facilitate missions of the LTO, STA, FAO TO, LOA partners and consultants to Turkey through assisting in arranging meetings with stakeholders and beneficiaries;
• Organize national trainings, workshops and webinars;
• Be in regular contact with related projects on waste management and improved agricultural practices and relevant stakeholders;
• Travel (pending COVID-19 situation) to relevant project meetings, workshops and sites and prepare mission reports with clear indications of findings and recommendations;
• Carry out any other activities relevant to the project.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agronomy and / or plant protection or integrated pests and pesticide management pest or in a related subject matter.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in field project implementation on pest and pesticides management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Turkish.
• National of Turkey 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

• Detailed understanding of international conventions, internationally accepted best practice and relevant agreements on pest and pesticide management.
• Knowledge or ability of understanding the FAO Guidelines.