National Professional Officer (Agriculture)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• 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 member nations 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, 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
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework 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.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Country Office, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is responsible for assisting government to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, develop the agriculture, livestock, fisheries and forestry sectors, and use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. The Country Office is responsible for leading FAO’s response to country priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority of actions. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, in collaboration with offices and divisions at headquarters; develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to country along with regional priorities.

The National Professional Officer (Agriculture) will be responsible for the management and coordination of seed protection related issues across all FAO projects/programme in the country by ensuring consistency with the country seed policies and regulations and FAOs project/programme objectives.

The position is located in the FAO Representation in Juba, South Sudan.

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer (Agriculture) reports to the Agriculture Officer (Plant Production and Protection), South Sudan.

Technical Focus

Programme development, coordination and operational assistance based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the country of assignment.

Key Results

Effective and efficient coordination and provision of the technical and operational support of the programme and project activities.

Key Functions

• Assists in liaising and cooperating with government authorities and national and international institutions in the areas of FAO’s activities in the country and in liaising with other UN agencies.
• Provides support to promoting the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization’s mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including development and maintenance of communication tools (e.g. website, press releases and publications) and supports the implementation of FAO’s regulatory frameworks (e.g. Codex Alimentarius and Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries) in the country.
• Collects, consolidates and maintains country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO’s corporate systems and participate in monitoring changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
• Assists with the production of technical, economic and policy studies and assists in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
• Assists in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals and monitors and reviews the status of programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; when necessary, proposes corrective measures to overcome operational constraints.
• Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job; ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Assists in development of pest monitoring and assessment tools and materials and establishing the community base monitoring and early warning system for crop pests and diseases.
• Contributes to crop production and protection related technical support in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of emergency and resilience programs and/or projects.
• Provides technical support in the control of migratory and transboundary pests (Desert Locust, Tree Locust, Qualia quila birds and fall armyworm – FAW, etc.).
• Contributes to preparing and updating technical recommendations, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies for the implementation of agriculture projects and/or programme.
• Provides training on agronomic practice based on good agricultural practice (GAP), conservation/climate smart agriculture and integrated pest management (IPM) and post-harvest management (PHM).
• Supports the development of technical specifications for chemical pesticides and bio pesticides, all equipment and materials required for sustainable and eco-friendly plant protection.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• National of South Sudan.
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural economics, plant pathology, plant protection, entomology, plant breeding or any other field related to the work of the Organization.
• One year of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation in an area of FAO’s activities in the country.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and Arabic.

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 productions and post-harvest, seed classes, tools equipment, etc.
• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project/programme management procedures, preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme/project implementation, monitoring and review.

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

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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct