Organizational Setting

FAO is executing a five (5) year Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded project titled “Strengthening investment for adoption of alternatives and sustainable management of agrochemicals and agriplastics in Africa and Latin America through pilots in Kenya and Uruguay”, with UNEP as the implementing agency. The FARM programme was launched Nairobi in March 2024 and aims to reduce the impacts on the global ecosystem of persistent agrochemicals and agricultural plastics (agri-plastics) and single use plastics along the food production value chain. It aims to achieve the detoxification of the agriculture sector by catalyzing a framework for investment to eliminate harmful agrochemicals from agricultural food production system through three different technical components: 1. Policy and regulatory capacity, and surveillance enhanced to improve the management of pesticides and agricultural plastics and promote the adoption of safer alternatives; 2. Financing and investment mechanisms incorporate environmental considerations and support the promotion and adoption of new technologies for sustainable agricultural practices; 3. Best practices and knowledge inform environmentally sustainable management of pesticides and hazardous pesticide waste, agricultural plastics and adoption of safer alternatives. In addition, the identified interventions will promote women and youth involvement in decision-making processes and participation in productive activities.

The grade of the position is SC8.

Reporting Lines

The National Project Technical Advisor will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya, the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme), the technical guidance of the FARM Coordinator, with technical support from FAO NSP (Plant Production and Protection Division) and of the FAO OCB (Office of Climate Change Biodiversity and Environment), and in close collaboration with the Project Steering Committee.

Technical Focus

The National Project Technical Advisor is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project activities in accordance with the work plan and budget.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Project Technical Advisor will be expected deliver on the following:

•    Coordinating the project at the country level, providing technical assistance and facilitating engagement with relevant stakeholders within the pilot country and region.
•    Supervising and guiding the consultants in the development of their tasks
•    Coordinating and guiding the implementation of subcontracts (e.g. Letters of Agreements)
•    Reviewing national consultants’ and subcontracts’ reports and activities
•    Liaising with national and regional authorities for the submission and acceptance of policy proposals to promote efficient registration of alternatives to chemical pesticides, improving the management of hazardous pesticides and agricultural plastic
•    Liaising with national competent authorities for the submission and acceptance of joint recommendations on how government expenditure can be used to incentivize the adoption of safer alternative to hazardous pesticides and safe management of hazardous pesticides and agricultural plastics
•    Liaising with the private sector for the adoption of green finance models to support the transition to safer alternatives and environmentally sustainable management of pesticides and agricultural plastics
•    Liaising with advisory systems, schools and universities to promote the access to current information about safer alternatives to pesticides and agricultural plastics
•    Liaising with civil society organizations to promote awareness campaigns on risks of HHPs and other pesticides and agricultural plastics and the benefit of safer alternatives are supported
•    Promoting the regional scale-up of project best practices through meetings, events and conferences
•    Attending and organizing project-related events in the country
•    Undertake any other relevant assignment as may be directed by FAOR from time to time

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Agriculture, Environmental Science, Political Science or related field
•    Minimum of 7 years professional experience in agricultural policy and project management
•    Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
•    Must be a Kenyan National

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Proven capacity to work with and establish working relationships with medium to high-level government, private sector and non-government representatives
•    Experience in project management and coordination
•    Experience in workshop facilitation and report writing
•    Experience in drafting communication materials for various target audiences
•    Excellent oral and written English skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION