Plant Tissue Culture Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through implementation of nine project components: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed cereals production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA’s capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods. An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

FAO-Saudi Arabia is seeking for high calibre specialists in Plant Tissue Culture to support production of disease free plantlets of selected crops, in particular coffee, roses, sub-tropical fruits and other components under the ongoing programme.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the Chief Technical Advisor under the overall guidance of the FAO Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus

Production of tissue culture based coffee, subtropical fruits and roses, capacity development and knowledge management for increasing production in these sectors in KSA.

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbent will contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of the project components and will carry out the following tasks:

• Review the status of tissue culture linked crop production strategy in the Kingdom • Contribute to the identification and selection of mother plants. • Develop relevant protocols. • Undertake commercial production of seedlings using tissue culture for selected genotypes; • Develop and implement capacity building plan for the tissue culture laboratory technicians; including modern approaches and innovations • Identify and forge linkages with national, regional and international organizations to get micro-propagation protocols for different priority crops and capacity building; • Review and update the national strategy for tissue culture production of priority crops.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in biology, genetics, crop science, food science or any related field. • At least 7 years of relevant work experience in crops production, processing, quality assessment , research, development, training, extension and working closely with crops stakeholders, • Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other FAO languages (French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Russian) for Consultants. Working knowledge of English for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working with crops production and processing of different ecological regions and varieties • Work experience in more than one regions and particularly in field positions with ability to provide technical and advisory services. • International work experience in technical cooperation projects including familiarity with results frameworks, project work planning and budgeting. • Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to convey and present sensitive issues/positions. • Analytical skills and ability to write clear and concise reports is considered a strong asset. • Proficiency in English is essential and familiarity with Arabic language is desirable.