Technical Adviser (Subtropical Fruits Breeder)

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) and its sister agencies. Within the framework of the Unilateral Trust Fund (UTF) Technical Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering the period 2019-2025 signed on 13 February 2019 between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia represented by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture and FAO, the UTF project 'UTF/SAU/053/SAU: Promoting efficient irrigation and water productivity amongst farmers' was approved by FAO and the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO). The Project, developed jointly by SIO and FAO focuses directly on supporting implementation of the Saudi Irrigation Organization Corporate Strategy, which was developed within the context of the Saudi Vision 2030 and aims at strengthening the capacity of SIO to improve irrigation efficiency among small-scale farmers. The Project is expected to achieve the Outcome 'Increased adoption of innovative and efficient irrigation technologies and practices in target Saudi regions', and in turn contributing towards achieving the national development goal of improving irrigation efficiency and ensuring sustainable use of water resources in the Kingdom. The position is located in the Programme Management Unit of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines The Technical Adviser (Subtropical Fruits Breeder) reports to the Chief Technical Adviser.

Technical Focus Capacity development and knowledge management for the development of subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing.

Key Results Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions • Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions. • Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies. • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, 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. • Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, sub regional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.

Specific Functions • Assists and advises the FAO Programme Director, liaises with the Programme Management Unit (PMU) and the MoEWA to ensure the flow of cooperation and coordination in the planning and implementation, and monitoring of progress of the project component in accordance with the project document. • Leads comprehensive review of subtropical fruits value chain; production, processing and marketing and the organization of diagnostic studies to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector. • Identifies, pilot tests and promotes sustainable good agricultural practices, including efficient fertilization, pruning and harvesting practices among subtropical fruits growers. • Develops a catalogue of major subtropical fruits diseases, pests and weed in the target regions, develops and implements an IPM programme for prevention and control of subtropical fruits pests and diseases to ensure access of their growers to pests and diseases control services. • Ensures the provision of technical support and pilot testing of sound irrigation systems and small rain water harvesting structures and technologies in selected areas and facilitate the development and adoption of improved post-harvest interventions, covering all aspects of the subtropical fruits production value chain. • Establishes and operates modern subtropical fruits nursery and tissue culture units; identifies, produces, distributes and promotes healthy, drought and pest resistance high-yielding fruit varieties seedlings. • 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 development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the South and the North for subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing. • Leads the development of post-harvest technologies and infrastructure, marketing strategies and value chain analysis for subtropical fruits agri-food incubation programme. • Develop appropriate contract farming models and other direct marketing strategies for small-scale subtropical fruit growers. • Identifies and promotes adoption of appropriate farm mechanization and technologies as well as irrigation scheduling for subtropical fruits production.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements • Advanced university degree in plant production/breeding, agronomy or any related field. • Seven years of relevant experience in 'subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing. • Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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. • Relevance and extent 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. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams. • 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 working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams. • Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of Arabic is considered a strong asset.