Technical Adviser (Aromatic Plants)

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 Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) of Saudi Arabia. The project UTF/SAU/051/SAU ‘Strengthening MoEWA's Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme' is a project within the framework of the 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’s expected results will be achieved through the 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 subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishers and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rainfed 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. The incumbent will be part of the PMU of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines The Technical Adviser reports to the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.

Technical Focus Capacity development and knowledge management for the development of rose production and trade.

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of departmental/divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with departmental/divisional objectives and FAO’s Strategic Objectives

Key Functions • Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions; • Coordinates programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects as well as the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies; • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications; • Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations; • Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities; • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties; • Advises on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions • Advises and coordinates with the FAO Programme Director, liaises with the PMU and the MoEWA to ensure the flow of cooperation and coordination in the planning and implementation and monitoring progress of the project component in accordance with the project document; • Leads comprehensive aromatic plants/roses sector review and diagnostic studies of rose production, processing and trade to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector; • Identifies, pilot test and promotes sustainable and efficient best agronomic practices among rose small growers, including the cultivation of improved climatically well-adapted, pest resistant and high yield rose cultivars/varieties; • Develops a catalogue of major rose diseases, pests and weed in the target regions, and develops and implement an integrated pest management (IPM) programme for the control of rose pests and diseases, to ensure access of rose growers to pests and disease control services; • Establishes and operates rose nurseries and tissue culture laboratories to produce and distribute healthy seedling rose; • Reviews and validates the list of identified technical experts for the project component, prepares their Terms of Reference (ToRs) and manages their recruitment, supervises and guides the technical team, consultants and the support staff to carry out their duties; • Leads and/or supervises preparation and dissemination of various written project component outputs, e.g. background papers, sector reviews, technical reports, sections of reports and studies, manuals, guidelines and checklists and knowledge products; • Leads and supervises preparation of quarterly and semi-annual project component progress reports, terminal report and identifies lessons learned, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving performance; • Leads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the south and north for roses and aromatic plants; • Supports the exposure of aromatic plants growers/producer/processers to regional or global experiences through targeted visits for experience sharing; • Leads and/or supervises preparation of various written project component outputs, e.g. background papers, sector reviews, technical reports, sections of reports and studies, manuals, guidelines and checklists as well as knowledge products; • Leads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the south and north for rose production and trade.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), plant production/breeding, agronomy or any related field; • Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes; • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable; • Extent and relevance of experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes; • Extent and relevance of experience in development of rose production and trade; • Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams; • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong asset.