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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. Qualified female applicants are encouraged to apply. People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF), FAO in Zambia will be partnering with the European Union, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) to implement a program on Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ). The project will focus on building demonstrable synergies between research and promotion of appropriate sustainable agriculture intensification practices.
Reporting Lines
The Program Specialist (Agronomy) works under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Zambia and directly reports to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). The incumbent will work in close collaboration with implementing partners from Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and relevant FAO technical units in headquarters and in Zambia.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will play a pivotal role in development and implementation of the agronomic strategy for the European Union Funded Sustainable Intensification of Smallholder Farming Systems in Zambia (SIFAZ) project implemented by FAO Zambia.
Tasks and responsibilities
- Provides agronomic technical inputs in the development, implementation and follow-up of program activities. Agronomic technical information includes (sustainable intensification practices including conservation agriculture, agroforestry, improved crop and land management practices, climate smart agriculture and other good agricultural management practices);
- Contributes to the identification, evaluation and promotion of appropriate sustainable intensification technologies among smallholder farmers; best practices and lessons learnt from the program interventions;
- Leads assessment of smallholder farmers and/or farmer associations capacities in program targeted areas to participate in the program activities, propose capacity building measures for these stakeholders in Sustainable Intensification Practices (SIP) areas such as Conservation Agriculture, soil conservation, fertility management, pest management and agroforestry, etc.;
- Contributes to the development and implementation of the program Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and data management and handling strategies;
- Identifies and builds relationships with partners to work with the project on implementing the agronomic aspects of the program;
- Participates in the design and conduct of sustainable intensification technologies training of extension staff and farmers;
- Conducts visits to the project sites and ensures that the implementation of sustainable intensification technologies is proceeding as per plan; and makes recommendations for adjustments, as necessary;
- Ensures that the beneficiaries are selected fairly and equitably and that all projects and interventions take into account a Framework for Gender Equality Programming;
- Contribute to the development of policy frameworks, Strategies and the institutionalization of SIPs knowledge products that engenders to an enabling environment for the practices and upscale of sustainable intensification systems at the national level;
- Prepare periodic reports and contribute to project progress and final reports;
- Undertakes any other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- University degree Agronomy, Agriculture, Crop Science or any other related field
- At least 5 years of experience in working with/or in government departments, national and international NGOs and other UN agencies in Zambia
- National of Zambia
- Working knowledge of English
FAO Core Competencies
- Results Focus
- Teamwork
- Communication
- Building Effective Relationships
- Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be assessed against the following:
- Extent and relevance of experience in communication and writing skills in English and any local languages
- Extent and relevance of experience working with national and local governments, donors, NGOs, academic and research institutions, including the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), is considered a strong asset
- Demonstrated and very good skills in info-graphics, publishing software, and editing. Knowledge and experience with photography, video, etc. will be an added advantage
- Good interpersonal relationships and a strong personality; self-starter.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: [email protected]
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date. If you need help, or have queries, please contact: [email protected]
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