ABOUT THE COMPANY:

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. We believe that everyone can play a part in ending hunger.

JOB SUMMARY

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner so as to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will be under the supervision of Officers of the NSPLD and NSPED Teams respectively.

Technical Focus 

Sustainable crop production systems that ‘produce more with less’ by protecting and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem services, and are inclusive, productive and profitable, with focus on legume-based cropping systems; integrated production (including agroforestry); climate-resilient practices; protection of pollinators; soil health management; and climate-adaptation.

NSP is targeting two profiles:
•    A mid-career (B-level) candidate who will be located in the Rural and Urban Crop and Mechanization Systems team (NSPLD). NSPLD provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries and projects aimed at sustainably increasing the efficiency of crop production and integrated systems to ensure food and nutritional security, improved livelihoods and diversified diets in rural, urban and peri-urban contexts.
•    An entry-level (C-level) candidate who will be located in the Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Crop Production Intensification Team (NSPED). NSPED’s work is particularly focused on developing, adapting, validating and disseminating agroecological practices, and the strengthening of requisite institutional and human capacities to enable the transition of cropping systems, especially of smallholder farmers (including family farmers), to sustainability and enhanced resilience.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Collect and analyse data, carries out formative research and literature reviews to inform project design.
•    Contribute to technical factsheets, training guides, reports, policy briefs and strategic documents related to sustainable cropping systems, including a strong focus on agroforestry systems.
•    Carriy out capacity building initiatives and knowledge sharing through development and promotion of appropriate materials and curricula for training of farmers, agricultural and extension specialists, and other actors in agricultural value chains;
•    Support the design and formulation of agricultural development projects, including through formative research and technical advisory and coordination.
•    Assist in strengthening the institutional and human capacities of FAO’s members to transition to sustainable cropping systems;
•    Assist in advocacy and communication efforts, including the preparation of international events (celebrations of International Years and Days of different products);
•    Conduct literature reviews and summaries on topics related to sustainable crop production systems (including bio-based inputs and practices); legume-based cropping systems; agroforestry; conservation and harnessing of biodiversity and ecosystem services (including pollinator-friendly practices);
•    Assist in the implementation of projects and the preparation of reports;
•    Support in the organization of webinars and seminars on themes that are relevant to sustainable crop production systems, including legume-based systems; agroecology and pollinators’ protection, biofertilizers and biostimulants.
•    Provide technical support and clearances to individual requests, including for seedlings and fruit trees;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, ecology, natural resources management or a closely related field;
•    For the B-level consultant, five years of relevant experience including field experience in project implementation in the tropics and/sub-tropics, working with sustainable intensification approaches and integrated production systems;
•    For the C-level consultant at least two years of relevant experience in legume-based systems, sustainable crop production and agrifood systems, biodiversity or ecosystem services;
•    Working knowledge of English (level C) for Consultants and PSA,

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work;
•    Practical work experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and/or Latin America is desirable;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation, implementation and reporting;
•    Extent and relevance of experience with farmer-facing agricultural extension and advisory;
•    Extent and relevant of experience with value chain development, food systems and market systems development;
•    Familiarity with international organizations, regional entities, national governments and development agencies;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in sustainable crop production, biodiversity and ecosystem services;
•    Familiarity with legumes and their importance for agriculture.

Selection Criteria

•    Limited knowledge (Level B) of a second FAO language is a strong asset, French and/or Spanish preferred.

How to Apply
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Good luck!