Agronomist and Climate Resilient Specialist

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Job Description

The position is located in the FAO offices in Multan. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Pakistan focuses its efforts on poverty reduction, food security, sustainable livelihoods and rural development. FAO has partnered with the Government of Pakistan on research and development, training, extension services, and strengthening of the staff capacity in planning and policy-making. FAO Pakistan under the Green Climate Fund is implementing a project called Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management in Punjab and Sindh Provinces. The project aims to develop the country’s capacity to get and use the information it needs to cope with the impacts of climate change on agriculture and water management. The overall goal of the projects is to enhance the capacity of agricultural and pastoral sectors to cope with climate change, by up scaling farmers’ adoption of climate change adaptation technologies and practices through a network of already established Farmers Field Schools, and by mainstreaming climate change adaptation concerns and strategies into on-going agricultural development initiatives, policies and programming.
Under the overall supervision of the FAOR in Pakistan, the guidance of the Project Chief Technical Adviser, direct supervision by International Technical Officer (Agriculture Production) and in close coordination with the Provincial Coordinator and GCF Project Team, the incumbent will undertake the following tasks and duties:
Climate Resilient Agriculture, On-farm Water practices and technologies; Complex climate change adaptation and mitigation projects with multiple sources of financing. Specifically:

Agricultural, agriculture extension, technology transfer and climate change adaptation
Implementation of a market-oriented production programme of high value crops supported by the Project,
identifying suitable crops, varieties and sources of supply of key inputs.
Developing effective training methods and modules and delivering training for participating farmers in the field and capacity building with training for FAO and Government staff.

Tasks and responsibilities:
Technical

In close collaboration with the FAO Districts Team Leaders and PMU experts, design, support and supervise the implementation of a climate resilient and market-oriented production programme of high value crops, identifying suitable crops, varieties and sources of supply of key inputs.
Support the District teams with specific knowledge and advise on all aspects of the designed market-oriented crop development (including field and horticultural crops, seed production, tunnel farming, homestead gardening, vegetables seedling production, fruit tree nursery development etc).
Liaison with relevant departments of Provincial Governments, research institutions and other technical assistance projects to ensure co-ordination and the collaboration required for implementation of the Project’s crop production interventions.
Guide and supervise the introduction, demonstration and extension of suitable species and varieties for improved crop production in the project communities to increase agricultural productivity from irrigated lands.
Guide and supervise the Project’s farmer field school (FFS) programme for adaptive research and participatory learning of new and improved technologies and practices to increase the crop production of participating Community Organizations (Cos), including curriculum development, training of master trainers and FFS Facilitators, implementation and monitoring of FFSs.
Develop recommendations on the design, site selection, installation and management of adaptive research plots for improved crop production as part of the Project’s FFS programme.
Assist in the Component 3 development of enabling environment including through review of policies, rules and regulations for CRA practices adoption and scaling up
Develop, follow up and monitor the implementation of the Farmer Field School activities. Supervise the sound implementation of the FFS days and field demonstrations

Training:

Ensure the inclusion of training/capacity building on the use of climate, water and agriculture information in FFS design implementation and monitoring;
Develop and supervise the implementation of a training programme on improved crop production strategies and practices suited to the Project’s target areas, including practical training of the Project’s Facilitators, and Government extension staff as trainers in the application of these improved technologies and techniques
Developing modules for delivering training in the field and capacity building of FAO and Government staff Provide technical support to ensure adoption of internationally accepted innovations and technologies and best practice, such as the introduction of e-agriculture and digitization in agriculture development
Contribute to the development of the ACWA portal and a knowledge sharing platform for rural agriculture using ICT-based users’ friendly technology and innovative practices
Support the awareness-raising, knowledge, technology and innovation transfer activities for agriculture, climate resilient agriculture and On Farm Water Management practices – including the development of gender-sensitive tools and capacity building of key stakeholders as identified in the Project three components.

Monitoring and Reporting:

Work closely and support the Gender and Nutrition Specialist and the Safeguard and Environment Specialist on the execution of work plans, ensuring alignment with the project’s log framework, Gender Action Plan, and Environmental Social and Safeguard Plan
Work closely with the Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist for the development of project briefs, brochures, infographics, case studies and other visibility, outreach and communication materials;
Contribute to the knowledge management and dissemination of the project outputs
Support the dissemination of FAO’s work and good practices both internally and amongst key stakeholders and the wider community.
Develop awareness and information material related to agriculture and climate adaptation and technical inputs on Project Communication Strategy.
Identify lessons learned, good practices and innovative approaches that can be applied, scaled up, or replicated in the project area and outside
Follow up on the agricultural and Climate Resilient -related objectively verifiable indicators at the outcome, result and output levels and report back to the M&E Officer.
Work closely with the CTA, M&E unit and other project teams to draft the AWPB, progress reports, final reports and other deliverables identified in the Project Implementation Plan

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements :

Advance University degree in plant/crop sciences, agronomy, climate smart agriculture
8 years of proven experience in Pakistan’s agricultural sector, specializing in crops, marketing, and private sector engagement, with a minimum of 3 years in practical field experience in Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) and at least 5 years in training extension staff on Climate Smart Agriculture.
Working knowledge of English and good knowledge of Urdu and local languages of Punjab Province (Punjabi/Saraiki),
National of Pakistan.
Women with agricultural background are highly encouraged to apply

Technical/Functional Skills :

Expertise in smallholder production systems in arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones of Pakistan
Track record experience in crop diversification, preferably in climate smart/resilient crops technologies and practices
Ability to work with small farmers, farmers groups and Farmer Field Schools
Experience working with government.
Experience to develop technical material and messages from on-farm adaptive research demonstrations
experience in developing manuals, curriculums and IEC materials for agriculture and climate smart enterprises
Fluency in English and ability to write clear and concise technical documents.
Good computer skills (word, excel, power point etc).
Ability to deal with stakeholders from a broad range of backgrounds.
Ability of working in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment and rural communities.
Familiarity with UN systems and procedures regarding code of conduct and resource use.

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2400017

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Agronomist and Climate Resilient Specialist

Job Description

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