Program Specialist (Seed Policy & Regulation)

Organizational Setting

The key mission of the FAO Representation in Somalia, which is led by FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist and support the national government to develop policies, strategies and programme aimed at accelerating the Implementation and achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the area of FAO's global mandate and Strategic Objectives. More specifically, FAO's response aims to address national needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition, developing agricultural, fishery and forestry sectors, and ensuring the sustainable use of environmental and natural resources and respond to recurrent emergencies. The current portfolio of activities of the FAO Representation in Somalia includes a wide scope of technical support interventions ranging from policy support through livestock and crop production, to natural resource management, Nutrition, value chain, food security analysis and water and land information management. FAO is also implementing several emergency, resilience-building and development interventions, with the support of its five field offices and close to 400 staff in partnership with the Federal and State line ministries.

FAO is seeking an International Consultant to support seed sector development in Somalia through the formulation of seed regulatory frameworks, capacity building of national seed institutions, and establishment of a sustainable seed system. The Consultant is expected to have extensive experience in seed policy and regulations, seed production, certification, and plant variety protection with a wide network in the seed sector at regional and international levels and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders to achieve set goals.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Somalia and general supervision of the Head of Programme and under the direct supervision of the Agriculture Sector Coordinator, the Program Specialist (Seed Policy & Regulation) will provide support in the development of the seed sector in Somalia and provide technical backstopping to different programme teams in FAO Somalia.

Technical Focus

The Program Specialist (Seed Policy & Regulation) will guide and provide technical support to designing and implementation of seed system development interventions as well as providing technical backup to different units/teams in FAO Somalia in the implementation of its mandate.

Tasks and responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Provide guidance in the preparation, implementation and/or assessment of seed programmes and projects. • Provide technical support to the government in the development of national seed sector policy, regulatory frameworks, protocols, and standards. • Provide support in institutional capacity building and advise on appropriate institutional arrangements for sustainable seed sector development. • Support the government in the establishment and operationalization of national seed certification service (variety testing, release, registration, inspection, and quality testing). • Build the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MoAI) in seed security assessment (SSA), offer support and advice on the formation and operationalization of SSA task force. • Work closely with stakeholders i.e., government authorities and private sector on issues related to seed sector development. • Work with MoAI in developing linkage and networks with regional and international agricultural research organizations to facilitate access to improved technologies. • Support transfer of improved technologies to farmers through various extension tools e.g., farmer demonstrations. • Support establishment of national seed system database for generation, storage of accurate and comprehensive information and data national planning and decision-making. • Support periodical seed security assessment to inform development and relief interventions in the seed sector. • Lead the drafting and supervision of terms of agreement (as a part of Letters of Agreement) to be signed with Government agencies in relation to seed interventions. • Support the Federal government in the adoption and implementation of regional and international crop variety assessment, seed standards and protocols. • Formulate and facilitate technical training for various stakeholder participating in project activities covering seed system development, production, quality assurance and crop variety testing and release. • Lead in developing technical specifications for laboratory equipment and consumables destined for the National seed inspection and quality testing facilities. • Provide guidance and support towards the establishment of the National Variety Release Protocol and List at federal level. • Support the Ministry of Agriculture in promoting regional and international linkages, cooperation and increased policy dialogue related to seed sector development i.e., relevant bilateral agreements and conventions. • Participate in project proposal development and resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy. • Travel to various states/locations in Somalia to attend meetings, offer technical support and advice in implementation of projects and capacity building of MoAI and other partners. • Ensure and nurture good working relations and communication between the FAO Somalia and the other stakeholders to ensure maximum synergies to meet the greater objective of assisting the government and peoples of Somalia. • Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agricultural sciences, crop science, agronomy, plant science or a related field. • Five years of relevant experience in seed policy and regulations, seed certification, capacity building, and sustainable seed system development, five of which should be in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the Horn of Africa. • Working knowledge (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian for COF.REG. Working knowledge of English level C for PSA.SBS.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in seed policy formulation, implementation, analysis and monitoring. • Work experience in seed regulatory service and seed systems development. • Work experience in capacity development in plant variety protection, seed production, certification and extension; seed policy development, implementation, and monitoring. • Extent and relevance of experience in partnership building and external relations. • Familiarity with regional and international seed frameworks, standards and protocols as applied to seed production and cross-border seed trade. • Extent and relevance of technical knowledge in seed science and technology. • Demonstrated professional experience in developing networks and linkages at international and Eastern African region with both public and private sectors.