DirecciónIMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- 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
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.
Modelling of climate change scenarios for Pakistan shows that if agriculture and water management in the Indus River Basin continue along a ‘business as usual’ pathway, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation will pose severe threats to the future livelihoods of farmers and the Pakistani agricultural sector. In response to this challenge, aforementioned project will help shift Pakistan and Indus Basin agriculture from its current situation of high vulnerability toward an alternative paradigm wherein better information and farming practices will significantly increase resilience to climate change. To do this, the project will 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 by putting in place state-of-the art technology (Component 1); building farmers resilience to climate change through skills, knowledge and technology (Component 2), and creating a wider enabling environment for continuous adaptation and expanded sustainable uptake of climate-resilient approaches (Component 3).
The project seeks to recruit an Agronomist – Climate Resilient Agriculture who will strengthen the capacity of the project beneficiaries on Climate Resilient Agriculture ad On Farm –Water Management Practices.
The detailed activities are described in the document uploaded on GCF website
https\://www.greenclimate.fund/document/transforming-indus-basin-climate-resilient-agriculture-and-water-management
Reporting Lines
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\:
Technical Focus
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
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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.).
Selection Criteria
Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above. Preference should be given to local candidates.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
