Organizational Setting

The war in Ukraine has placed the entire Ukrainian agrifood system at risk, with significant consequences for food security both in Ukraine and globally. The destruction or damage to agricultural infrastructure and markets, and the disruption of food supply chains is threatening the food security of already vulnerable populations. Agriculture-based livelihoods, a key source of income for 30 percent of the population, are severely impacted. While many Ukrainians are fleeing their communities and/or the country, a significant proportion of the population is staying, facing extreme challenges and thus requiring multisectoral humanitarian assistance.

In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is uniquely positioned in Ukraine to implement a multidimensional and innovative strategy to sustain and restore agrifood systems at scale.

Capitalizing on its technical expertise and in-country experience, the strategic approach of the Organization will focus on restoring food security and self-sufficiency in front-line communities (Pillar 1); restoring critical agricultural production and value chains (Pillar 2); and enhancing coordination and technical support to the functioning of critical food system services (Pillar 3). FAO has expanded its presence in Ukraine and established a strong multidisciplinary team. FAO’s country office remains in Kyiv, with field offices in Lviv, Odesa and Dnipro.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Designated Responsible Officer, direct supervision by the FAO International Project Manager and technical supervision of Lead Technical Officer and in close coordination with the National Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist for Kharkivska oblast, the National Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist in Mykolaivska oblast.

Technical Focus

The Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist will provide technical and field support for the project’s Phase 3: Assistance to Rural Households and Small-scale Farmers in Mykolaivska oblast; the role will also support the implementation of Phase 1: Prioritization of focal areas in order to identify households in need of assistance. The Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist will survey rural communities that have been affected by the conflict and assess the level of damage to their agricultural production as well as the level and type of their needs. The Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist must therefore be familiar with Ukrainian small holder farming practices and needs, and he/she must also be familiar with conservation and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices or be willing to develop this expertise.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Gather stakeholders from local government, community groups, farm associations and affected community members to form Joint Targeting Teams (JTTs);
•    Develop a survey and data registration methodology for small-scale farms and rural households that records losses due to the conflict, what they have done to remedy these losses, and what additional support is needed
•    Assess the level and type of need reported by beneficiaries to determine what is needed to restart agricultural operations;
•    Compile lists of needs and keep an accurate database of needs and locations to provide to FAO programme, procurement and logistics staff;
•    Work closely with FAO programme, procurement and logistics staff to ensure assistance is delivered accurately;
•    Work closely with FAO MEAL staff to ensure they are able to monitor project outputs and successes accurately;
•    Draft one media post (for Facebook, Twitter or the FAO newsletter) every other week to improve public visibility of the project;
•    Assess training needs, particularly in term of soil conservation practices and potentially on this basis contribute to the development of training curricula;
•    Provide logistical/administrative support to the training/ workshops/ seminars/ meetings organized under the project;
•    Maintain proper and updated documentations of logistics/ finance for relevant project activities;
•    Assist with translation of the FAO documents and provide interpretation, on punctual basis;
•    Maintain local inventory records with responsibility for proper recording of assets, their maintenance and safeguard;
•    Answer FAO hotline number and register details as foreseen by the Grievance Mechanism created under the project.
•    Facilitate registration of farming households into the State Agrarian Registry (SAR) of Ukraine;
•    Maintain close cooperation with WFP staff that will be working on the same Project Phases;
•    Act as a focal point and participate in assigned working groups;
•    Perform other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 

•    University degree in agronomy, specialized agriculture, or related disciplines.
•    At least 5 years’ work experience as a in the Ukrainian agriculture sector, ideally directly in farming, farm management or food processing and management;
•    Working knowledge/Fluency (Level C or native) of English, Ukrainian and/or Russian
•    National of Ukraine

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Extensive knowledge of community structure, local livelihoods, local vulnerabilities, animal production, financial planning of farm management, business development, and land tenure and legal system of the country;
•    Proven ability to work with agricultural or rural communities and related stakeholders in an open, accessible, and transparent manner;
•    Experience in conservation or climate smart agriculture will be considered an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION