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Technical Adviser (Farming System Analyst/Agronomist)

Riyadh

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Riyadh
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Agriculture and Forestry
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • Food technology (Food tech)
    • Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa, RNE
  • Closing Date: Closed

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IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
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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

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality
• People with disabilities are protected from any type of discrimination during any stage of employment, including the recruitment phase
• 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

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Organizational Setting
The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) of Saudi Arabia. The project UTF/SAU/051/SAU ‘Strengthening MoEWA's Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme' is a project within the framework of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project’s expected results will be achieved through the implementation of nine project components\: 1) Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing; 2) Development of beekeeping and honey production; 3) Development of rose production and trade; 4) Development of subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing; 5) Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishers and fish farmers; 6) Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders; 7) Development of rainfed cereal production; 8) Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities; and 9) Strengthening MoEWA's capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods.
The incumbent will be part of the PMU of the FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser reports to the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the overall guidance of the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative, RNE.
Technical Focus
Capacity development for farming system analysis and development.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of departmental/divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with departmental/divisional objectives and FAO’s Strategic Objectives
Key Functions
• Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions;
• Coordinates programme-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
• Advises on the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.
Specific Functions
• Conducts comprehensive smallholders' farming systems classification, mapping and analysis for the project target commodities;
• Reviews and assesses existing irrigation systems and practices currently used by smallholders in the different farming systems in the target regions;
• Identifies pilot tests and promotes adoption of modern technologies and practices suitable for the various farming systems in the target regions;
• Develops and promotes necessary policies and incentives to facilitate smallholders' access to modern technologies and innovative practices;
• Identifies agricultural technology gaps in existing farming systems and prioritizes the technology needs of small farmers in target regions;
• Supports selection of a pilot area for testing and implementation of innovative agricultural technologies and practices;
• Assesses the current participation of farmers in identification and selection of technologies and innovative practices and develops participatory approach to involve farmers and their cooperatives, the private sector and academic and research institutions and key other national partners;
• Undertakes faming systems analysis to characterize and cluster farmers for necessary expected interventions and supports establishment of demonstration farms that produce certified seedlings;
• Undertakes socio-economic analysis for selection of appropriate mix of technologies and practices based on benchmarking and good international practices;
• Develops/updates appropriate institutional and policy framework and incentives for production and use of healthy seedlings;
• Develops training programmes for farmers, technicians, and extension agents in selected technologies and practices
• Contributes in development of knowledge products and awareness campaigns for promotion of selected technologies and farming practices;
• Prepares quarterly and semi-annual project component progress reports and identifies lessons learned, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving the performance.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), plant production/breeding, agronomy or any related field;
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.
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;
• Extent and relevance of experience in activities related to farming systems analysis and development;
• Extent and relevance of experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes;
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams;
• Extent and relevance of experience in completing farming system analysis and development assignments is essential;
• Extent and relevance of experience in implementation and management of technical assistance for capacity strengthening in the field of farming system analysis and agronomic practices;
• Demonstrated capacity to coordinate country level activities and to organize and lead consultative processes involving several partner institutions and stakeholders;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development of results frameworks, logical framework, project work plans and budget;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong asset.
This vacancy is now closed.
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