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). The project “UTF/SAU/051/SAU Strengthening MoEWA’s Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme” is the first project that has been approved within the framework of 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 expected results will be achieved through 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 sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rain-fed 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.
An overall plan and budget is developed and approved, including activities and outputs that are expected to be accomplished under each component. Requirements for international technical expertise of each component have been identified. In order to ensure a coordinated, smooth, timely and successful implementation of the project, long-term competent international technical advisors will be appointed as Component Managers to each of the nine components. Each Component Manager will be supported by a team of international consultants and experts who are technical specialists in the subject matters of the various outputs and activities.

Reporting Lines

The Aromatic Plants/Rose Production Specialist will report to the Chief Technical Adviser under the overall guidance of the Programme Director in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus 

The Aromatic Plants/Rose production Specialist will contribute to the accomplishment of outputs of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development project component on “Development of rose production and trade” through development of technical packages, strategic tools and associated knowledge and capacity building.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Undertake assessment and update the current situation of aromatic plants sector with special reference to value chain of the Rose production (cultivation, processing, transportation, storage, marketing and use).
•    Review existing aromatic plants management systems, production and processing technologies and practices to identify strengths and key challenges for developing sustainable solutions.
•    Support introduction of advanced strategies for production of healthy planting stock, increasing production and enhancement of productivity as required including technological packages, institutional and organizational, cadre capacity and farmers’ knowledge and skills
•    Assist with identification, pilot testing and promoting 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.
•    Assist in adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) programme for the control of pests and diseases of Rose and Jasmine production
•    Review current products list and processing facilities of local and exotic roses and identify opportunities for value addition.
•    Provide guidance on quality improvement and standards establishment of aromatic plants products including rose oil, water and related products with international best practices and lessons from success stories.
•    Conduct trainings and support knowledge dissemination events to strengthen production, agronomic practices, harvesting, post-harvesting, processing technologies and good practices for rose and jasmine.
•    Prepare guidelines for the Ministry technical staff, farmers and processors on aromatic plants, with special reference to rose and jasmine value chain
•    Perform any other duties as required

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in in plant production/breeding, agronomy or any other related field.
•    Seven years of relevant experience in development of aromatic plants, possibly rose production and trade and/or project management in the field of sustainable rural agricultural development
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English.

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, particularly in field positions.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in development of rose production and trade.
•    Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and reviewed.
•    Limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) will be an advantage.