Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection)

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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 persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices 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

FAO Yemen, with support from the Regional Office for Near East and North Africa (FAO-RNE) and the Office of Emergencies and Resilience (OER) in FAO headquarters, is leading the implementation of variety of projects related to agriculture, livestock, and fisheries to restore rural livelihoods while addressing the underlying causes of the current crisis. Since 2021, FAO has been implementing the "Food Security Response and Resilience (FSRRP) in Yemen" project, which is financed by the Work Bank. With assistance from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), FAO and Social Fund for Development (SFD) have been collaborating to carry out the "Rural Livelihoods Development Project (RLDP)". With funding from the European Union (EU) and Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), FAO has been implementing a three-year cooperative program called "Supporting Resilient Livelihoods and Food Security in Yemen (ERRY III)" in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), International Labour Organization (ILO) and World Food Programme (WFP).
The FSRRP project aims to combat extreme hunger in Yemen and provide rural families with sustainable food security opportunities. FAO has been implementing programs over the last two years to enhance the nutritional quality of vulnerable rural households, boost the production and market share of livestock, fish products, and nutrient-dense crops, as well as to build capacity for managing food security and climate resilience.
The Agricultural Officer will work for the FSRRP project, and his/her main role will be to lead, in the context of the project, the sustainable crop production intensification. This requires the integration and harmonization of appropriate crop production and protection policies and practices within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at enhancing productivity; natural resources conservation and management; rural livelihoods and resilience.

Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the FAO Representative in Yemen, will be under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor for the FSRRP project, and will work in direct collaboration with the Lead Technical Officer of the project. The Officer is required to exercise strong collaboration and coordination with the National Project Teams and the Project Partners.

Technical Focus
Contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security from a plant production and protection perspective by developing integrated soil and pest management concepts, strategies, practices and guidelines with a focus on yield enhancement.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Leads all plant production and protection (including pest control) activities in FAO Yemen as a technical focal point.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to FAO Yemen projects.
• Identifies opportunities for upgrading value chains, in local and distant or high-value markets and strategies to exploit those opportunities.
• Identifies areas of improvement for better production and productivity to increase the competitiveness of small producers and small-scale agro-food enterprises engaged in the value chain and Farmer Field Schools.
• Enhances plant production and productivity through the adoption of improved farming techniques, technologies, and practices and promotes climate-smart agriculture.
• Develops and implements strategies to protect crops from pests, diseases, and environmental factors.
• Provides technical support and guidance to farmers, extension workers, and other stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
• Collects data and analyzes information related to plant production and protection.
• Collaborates with relevant agencies and organizations to promote sustainable agriculture and ensure compliance with national and international standards.
• Conducts assessments of agricultural systems, identifies challenges and develops strategies to improve plant production and protection.
• Provides technical advice and support to farmers in selecting appropriate crop varieties, planning cropping systems and implementing pest and disease management practices.
• Develops and delivers training programs, workshops and extension materials to enhance farmers' knowledge and skills in plant production and protection.
• Monitors and evaluates the implementation of agricultural projects and programs related to plant production and protection.
• Collaborates with research institutions, ministry of agriculture, and other stakeholders to promote research and innovation in plant production and protection.
• Prepares reports, technical documents and presentations on plant production and protection activities, outcomes and recommendations.
• Collaborates with government agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and international organizations to ensure compliance with regulations, standards and policies related to plant production and protection.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in plant production, agronomy, plant science, crop improvement, plant protection, agriculture, crop protection, plant sciences or related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in crop protection or pesticide management in the field, preferably including experience with the main crops of the region in fields such as plant production, agronomy, plant science, srop omprovement, plant protection, agriculture, crop protection, plant sciences, or related areas.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• 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.
• Ability to analyse plant production and protection issues from a social and environmental point of view.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing training tools and information materials.
• Ability to deliver training and pass knowledge to rural population and targeted authorities (Farmer Field Schools and integrated pest management, for example).
• Familiarity with the local context.