Notes with possibility of extension
Department Description
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
Qualified female applicants and qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged to apply.
Persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.
Duties and Responsibilities
Organizational Setting
FAO’s Subregional Office for Eastern Africa is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing subregional food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). It assists the FAO Representations (FAORs) in the subregion with addressing subregional food security, agriculture and rural development issues at country level. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Africa
The post is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Reporting Lines
The Agriculture Officer (Farmer Field Schools) reports to the Sub-regional Coordinator for Eastern Africa, in close cooperation with technical officers in the Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Regional Office for Africa (RAF) and Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP)
Technical Focus
`Plant production and protection with particular focus on community-based Farmer Field Schools (FFS).
Key Results
Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project / meeting services to support programme projects, products and services
Key Functions
- Collects and analyzes relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services;
- Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents;
- Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems;
- Updates databases and web pages;
- Participates on multi-disciplinary project/work teams;
- Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc.;
- Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.
Specific Functions
- Supports FFS projects and activities in the sub-region by providing and researching technical information and background and liaises with relevant stakeholders and partners in crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture and forestry;
- Contributes to the development and maintenance of a multidisciplinary Field School Support Network in the sub-region and foster links with those in other sub-regions;
- Assists countries to develop evidence-based needs assessment and planning to ensure quality FFS in support of Country Programme Frameworks and specific projects;
- Assists countries in the integration and institutionalization of FFS into their extension delivery systems;
- Promotes FFS related capacity development including integration in the curricula of agricultural training institutions in the sub-region.
Job Requirements
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in agriculture – crop production, protection, plant sciences or related field
- Three years of relevant experience in crop production or protection in the field preferably including experience with the main crops of the region as well as community-based FFS or rural sociology.
- Working knowledge of English or French with limited knowledge of the other
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 is desirable
- Extent and relevance of experience in crop improvement, agro-biodiversity, conservation of plant genetic resources, basic soil fertility management principles, and community-based Farmer Field Schools (FFS)
- Extent and relevance of experience in integrated and multidisciplinary community-based agricultural development projects
- Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops
- Extent and relevance of experience in developing training tools and information materials specific to the FFS approach.
- Basic knowledge of rural sociology
Additional Details
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
- All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.
- Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see ‘How to Apply’). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
- Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.
- Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.
Remuneration: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, visit the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) website: http://icsc.un.org/rootindex.asp
FAO is a non-smoking environment
More Information
- Job City Addis Ababa
