Junior Agricultural Specialist

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender nationality background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold FAOs values
• FAO as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status objectives and mandate including sexual exploitation and abuse sexual harassment abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate complete and includes your employment records academic qualifications and language skills
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
Once your profile is completed please apply and submit your application

Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED) a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.

Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work character education military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
Incomplete applications will not be considered
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications assessment tests background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time by withdrawing your application in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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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) contributes to FAOs work by supporting countries to transition to sustainable crop production systems which produce more with less through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving the natural resources.

The position is located in the Crop and Mechanization Systems team (NSPLD) one of the six teams that make up the Division. NSPLD contributes to NSPs overarching goal of fostering resilient and sustainable plant production and protection systems that produce more with less. The team leads the efforts to develop validate and promote the adoption of context-specific modern agronomic practices with sustainable agricultural mechanization as an integral part that sustainably enhances the productivity efficiency and resilience of diverse cropping systems.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant/PSA will work under the supervision of an officer in the NSPLD team.

Technical Focus

Strengthening the value chains of horticultural crops for enhanced input use-efficiency resilience to shocks and overall sustainability of the systems especially for small-scale farmers in developing countries.

Tasks and responsibilities

The consultant/PSA will assist in the delivery of a work programme aimed at promoting approaches and practices and policies for sustainable and resilient urban and periurban cropping systems at global regional national and local levels. The key functions of the consultant / PSA may include the following:

Provide technical support and sundry backstopping interventions for projects programmes and initiatives across FAO regions to strengthen institutional and human capacities for the production systems of diverse horticultural crops including fruits and vegetables and mushrooms with focus on one or more of the following areas: quality seeds planting materials and seedlings; soil health; soil moisture management including efficient irrigation systems; plant health through integrated pest and disease management; innovations in agronomics including protected cultivation systems soilless systems; sustainable agricultural mechanization; digital agriculture; and pollinators.
Support the assessments of horticultural cropping systems and provide recommendations on validated innovative practices and technologies along value chains to improve farm productivity; nutritional quality and safety of produce; and smallholders incomes and livelihoods.
Support the development and review of technical documents related to different areas of horticultural crop production and protection and deliver relevant training programmes especially for agronomists and extension staff of Member Countries.
Assist in project implementation from conceptualization through implementation and reporting to monitoring and evaluation in close collaboration with members of project teams as required.
Develop and review technical specifications for inputs and equipment for horticultural crops production systems including in support of the implementation of projects.
Collaborate with FAO technical teams divisions and decentralized offices and other partners on topics related to sustainable horticultural production systems.
Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

At least one year of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Plant genetic resources management soil management water/irrigation management integrated pest and disease management plant nutrition cultural practices protected cultivation soilless systems digital agriculture sustainable agricultural mechanization and extension services.

For Consultants:

Advanced degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture agronomy crop production crop protection or related fields; or a first level degree with two years of additional experience.
Full proficiency knowledge of English (level C) and working knowledge (level B) of a second FAO language (Arabic Chinese French Russian or Spanish) is considered an asset.

For PSAs:

The relevant educational background: specific academic or technical qualifications within the required field of expertise.
Full proficiency knowledge (level C) of one FAO language relevant to the assignment.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software such as MS Office (Word Excel Power Point)
Knowledge of geospatial analysis software and related digital tools is an asset
Work experience in more than one location or area of work is an asset
Knowledge and familiarity with the agriculture sector in the English-speaking Caribbean is an asset
Ability to produce high quality technical documents in English

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency