Duty Stations: Freetown, Sierra Leone / Monrovia, Liberia / Conakry, Guinea / Dakar, Senegal (according to needs)
In the framework of the FAO response to the epidemic of Ebola viral disease (EVD) in West Africa, under the administrative supervision of the FAO Representative in the country, in collaboration with the FAO Regional Office in Accra and the Regional Hub for Resilience, Emergencies and Rehabilitation in West Africa / Sahel in Dakar (REOWA), the incumbent will provide technical expertise and contribute to the technical design of the humanitarian relief and sustainable production programme. The incumbent will address issues related to the impact of the Ebola outbreak on the food security and agriculture sector. S/he will have contacts with staff at various levels across the Organization including Technical Divisions, FAO’s decentralized offices, and staff in national governments and with national, regional and international organizations.
The Agronomist will work under the general direction of the FAO Representative and her/his main tasks will comprise:
· Formulation of targeted strategies to respond to agriculture challenges and threats; assisting in formulating and implementing agriculture need assessments and projects; and supporting the sustainable production and farming-related emergency food security interventions;
· Analyze challenges and threats to food security and sustainable food production; and plan and oversee efficient/effective delivery of services to food security crises (early-warning response planning);
· Develop an agriculture response Plan including the capacity development of vulnerable communities in resilience building and mitigation strategies;
· In collaboration with the Food Security Experts determine the beneficiaries targeting criteria and priority zones of FAO interventions
· Develop a procurement plan aligned on the projects objectives and outcomes ;
· Coordinate with FAO and partners nutrition experts to ensure that all opportunities of nutrition sensitive agriculture are used
· With the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer ensure that a Post Distribution Monitoring (PDM) and outcomes surveys are implementing in due time
· Ensure that the gender dimension is integrated in the planed agriculture projects
· Ensure that links are established with cash transfer, seed fair/vouchers and “caisse de resilience” opportunities
· Make available information to partner organizations and work with sister UN organizations (WFP, UNICEF etc.) in establishing synergies in food security and nutrition analysis and development;
· Actively engage in visibility by working with the Communication’s Expert and maintain awareness on issues and approaches relevant to FAO Response programme;
· Perform other related duties as required
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:
· Advance University degree in Agronomy, Crop, Soil or Environmental Science, agricultural engineering, or related field;
· Seven years of relevant experience in the planning and implementation of agriculture and farming systems programmes, sustainable crop production intensification with emphasis on seed systems, land rehabilitation, soil biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation, preferably at the international level;
· Extent of experience in emergency and rehabilitation settings;
· Fluent in English or French and working knowledge of the other language.
Other competencies
· Proficiency in computer skills and current use of the Internet;
· Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and multicultural environment;
· Women are encouraged to apply;
Experience within FAO is an asset.
How to apply:
Send your Personal History Form (PHF) by e-mail to: VA-FAOSN-EVD@fao.org
On the subject of the application kindly indicate the name of the position and desired country of assignment if any.
Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT