Crop production Specialist (Horticulture)

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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 FAO’s 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

Organizational Setting

FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia provides technical supports to its member countries to develop and implement programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities. It promotes sustainable agriculture production intensification of smallholder farmers; monitoring and response to climate change, routine agriculture and food security situation monitoring and reporting. Applications are invited for the position of an International Horticulture Specialist (IHS) to provide technical support on matters related to the field of sustainable crop production and protection to the REU technical team.

Reporting Lines

The Horticulture Specialist will work under overall supervision of the FAO Assistant Director General in Europe & Central Asia, and the direct supervision of the REU Agriculture Officer.

Technical Focus

Sustainable crop production and protection, Climate smart adaptive agricultural practices, Integrated pest management, and capacity building.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical support to FAO member countries in the identification, formulation and implementation of plant production projects and priorities under the current Country Programming Framework (CPF);
• Provide technical backstopping to projects dealing with the strengthening of sustainable crop production in the region.
• Support Climate Smart agriculture (CSA) interventions including Conservation Agriculture and other relevant agro-ecological approaches that promote Good Agricultural practices in the sub-region
• Assist with the development of a regional proposal for the scaling-up of sustainable climate resilience innovative technologies & practices in agriculture, using pilot demonstrations and case studies in some of the ECA countries.
• Conceptualize and prepare training and information materials and implement capacity development programs related to crop production and protection in the framework of FAO Program Priority Areas.
• Enhance plant production and productivity through the adoption of improved farming techniques, technologies, and practices and promote climate-smart agriculture.
Provide technical support and guidance to farmers, extension workers and promoting Farmer Field Schools approach.
• Strengthen REU crop production, protection information, database and related tools to provide related climate services to Members and FAO Country Offices.
• Perform other related duties as required. .

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agronomy or horticulture science, environmental and natural resource management or closely related fields
• Seven years of relevant experience in crop production and protection, Climate Smart agriculture, seed systems and climate resilient agriculture related fields
• Working level of English

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in climate resilient and sustainable agricultural production management practices and improve technologies.
• Work experience in Europe and Central Asia would be an asset
• Ability to plan and organize own work, deliver results and meet deadlines
• Ability to write clear and concise technical documents
• Excellent communication skills in English and strong computer, report writing, and presentation skills.
• Technical and practical knowledge on establishments of pilot demonstrations of CSA technologies, and conducting farmers training.
• Knowledge and experience of work in the project area will be an advantage
• Working level of Russian will be considered as an asset

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

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
• 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 FAO’s 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.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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