Organizational Setting

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
Specifically, FAO Country Offices:
(i)    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
(ii)    provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii)     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv)    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
(v)    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran as Home Based with mission to the project’s pilot sites and attendance in the FAO Representation office in Iran when and where requested.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the FAO Representative a.i. in the I.R. Iran, and the Budget Holder, and direct supervision of FAO-Iran OiC and technical supervision of the Project’s Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration and coordination with FAO-Iran Programme team, national incumbents and international consultants, the National Expert will carry out the tasks described below

Technical Focus 

Evaluating the entire Pistachio value chain analysis includes identifying strengths, weakness and opportunities within the value chain and expertise in various processing methods

Tasks and responsibilities

•    In close collaboration with FAO International consultants and national incumbents, carries out desk reviews and collecting technical information and data required for the assessment of efficiency or vulnerability of existing harvesting, processing, and storage methods for pistachios.
•    Liaises with International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant to explore and evaluate new procedures, technologies, and machinery to reduce Aflatoxin contamination during harvesting, processing, and storage.
•    Liaises with International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant on the assessment of the possible use of vibrating machines, double-sided tents, mesh baskets, trailers, electronic sorters, and other modern equipment in pistachio cultivation and processing and evaluating their effectiveness in aflatoxin contamination.
•    Assists the International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant to facilitate development and testing pistachio quality monitoring mechanisms and provides required data for analysis report on aflatoxin levels in common vs. advanced harvesting, processing, and storage systems.
•    Assists the International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant to facilitate development of guidelines and protocols for implementing new technologies and good practices in pistachio value chain management.
•    The incumbent will support International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant and project’s counterpart in ensuring wide-ranging stakeholder participation and accountability (government and other) and facilitate consultative processes at working group sessions/workshops and ensure consensus by the mandated institutions and closely engage with them to facilitate the delivery of project workplan activities.
•    Assists the International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant for instructing the training workshops conducted for pistachio supply chain stakeholders on the above findings and implementation of new harvesting and processing technologies as well as Mycotoxin fungi management and knowledge capacity enhancement at general and technical level.
•    Assists the International Pistachio Value Chain and Processing Consultant in preparing the workshop reports.
•    Liaises with Service Provider on their tasks and deliverables and facilitates their work to select pilot sites for assessing the efficiency of atoxigenic strains of Aspergillus flavus via biocontrol management of Mycotoxin fungi in Iran’s pistachio orchards.
•    Assists the LTO and FAO-Iran Programme team in technically evaluating the narrative reports produced under the project’s Letters of Agreement (LoA).
•    In close consultation with LTO and FAO-Iran Programme team, drafts the requisite Technical Specifications (TS) for the items which need to be procured or Terms of Reference (ToR) for services required for the project whether under the consultancy or services under the above-mentioned project. The draft TS and ToRs shall be validated and technically cleared with LTO.
•    Meets regularly and collaborates with other national/ international project experts to address cross-cutting issues and be part of synthesizing/collating the results.
•    Undertakes field missions to the project pilot sites when and where required.
•    Prepares monthly progress reports.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in Agriculture Sciences, Agronomy, Agribusiness, Food Science or related disciplines.
•    At least 5 years’ experience in experience in pistachio/nuts value chain management, post-harvest technologies, and food safety.
•    Working knowledge of English and local language (Farsi).
•    National of the Islamic Republic of Iran or resident in the country with a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Knowledge of value chain, harvest, post-harvest, processing and quality issues in nuts.
•    Skills in results-based frameworks and capacity building activities for supply chain stakeholders.
•    Knowledge of Pistachio Production and understanding the Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and best growth conditions of pistachio trees at orchards including best irrigation, soil, nutrition, insect and diseases and horticultural management.
•    Value Chain Analysis including proficiency in evaluating and optimizing the pistachio value chain, considering production, processing, packaging, and distribution.
•    Familiarity with various pistachio processing methods, including hulling, washing, sorting and drying.
•    Skills in implementing quality assurance protocols and standards for pistachio products to meet market requirements.
•    Knowledge of food safety regulations and practices relevant to nut processing, including quality control aspects of Mycotoxin contamination.
•    Knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices and their application in the pistachio sector to promote environmental and economic viability.
•    Proficiency in preparing technical reports, feasibility studies, and documents related to pistachio production and processing.
•    Understanding relevant regulatory frameworks affecting pistachio production and trade, including export requirements.
•    Proven capacity to conduct fieldwork and the ability to work in teams and establish working relationships central and local government institutions.
•    Good command of computer skills (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet).

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements