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Junior Agronomy and Extension Specialist

Georgia

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Georgia
  • Grade: All levels - NPP - National Project Personnel - Local Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • FEGEO
  • Closing Date: Closed

IMPORTANT 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 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, therefore, 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


Organizational Setting


FAO mandate in Georgia is to support national efforts to promote food security and sustainable development of agricultural sector. FAO priorities in Georgia reflect the objectives and priorities of the Government set in the strategy papers related to agricultural development. In essence, FAO assists the Government in creating and implementing an institutional, legal and regulatory environment. At the same time, FAO supports individuals working in agriculture – farmers, cooperatives, companies etc. by providing technical and financial assistance.

Reporting Lines


The Junior Agronomy and Extension Specialist shall operate under the overall guidance and responsibility of the FAO Representative in Georgia; direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, technical guidance of the International Agronomist, and in collaboration with other international and national consultants involved in the FAO project implemented under ENPARD III.

Technical Focus


Agronomy with focus on Extension to high value crop farmers.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Take part in planning and implementation of field activities related to dissemination of information to farmers and using resources for interacting with them through Farmer Field School group work, mass campaigns, individual activities, etc.
• Participate in the elaboration of the Annual Extension Workplan and Procurement Plan.
• Supervise directly in the field and through consultations on phone the demonstration plots in 2-5 different municipalities in 2 different regions through field visits and direct work with farmers. All standard Demonstration Plot practices should be implemented in each demo: proper land preparation including bed formation, establishment of wind breakers, production of healthy seedlings, proper transplant, irrigation and fertigation, safe crop protection and plant nutrition, etc.
• Provide technical assistance to 15-20 farmers on their plots in each location assigned or to a total of 40 farmers minimum. The technical assistance will focus on Good Agriculture Practices and specially practices that farmers can implement which can improve yield and quality of product. Visits have to be performed at least on a fortnight frequency. The Junior Agronomist should have a fortnight schedule of visits in an Excel Sheet, which should be shared with supervisor and team.
• Use the Technical Assistance form in every farm visit to ensure the supervision of key issues in the farm and to provide any recommendation to farmer in written form.
• Organize logistics of Field Days in demonstration plots to train farmers on topics according to plan depending on stage of crop cycle (3 trainings minimum per demo plot per group of farmers); ICC staff, ENPARD III Implementing Partner organizations and LAG should be informed of Field Days with 1 week anticipation to ensure high participation of farmers.
• Work on a regular basis, including joint field visits, with the local Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture (MEPA) ICC agronomy personnel.
• Collaborate with team members working in related functional areas such as Climate Smart Agriculture, media extension, Value Chain Analysis, Grants.
• Interact with local Input suppliers in related efforts to provide farmers with technical assistance, supply quality and registered agricultural inputs.
• Interact with farmers and agribusinesses during meetings and field visits; identify Lead Farmers and Value Chain gaps that could be filled to strengthen required productivity and value addition based on market needs.
• Implement best practices to ensure a high participation of women in every extension activity. Extension should preferably target the household members involved in production and not only the family head.
• Use and recommend only cleared agriculture inputs and observe all security measures while handling them, using Personal Protective Equipment recommended.
• Mentor Agronomy Interns in technical matters and to build their professional demeanor. Organize the routine field activities of Interns assigned and communicate with them in written form preferably.
• Supervise the gathering of cost related information by assigned Lead Farmers and Interns.
• Collaborate with Monitoring & Evaluation staff to plan and organize monitoring activities. Support M&E with information requested.
• Contribute with the making of the quarterly reports to donor.
• Keep good communication with other team members, responding promptly to others requests.
• Other duties as required.


CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements


• A university degree in Agronomy
• Fluency in English is a must
• Fluency in Russian will be considered an asset
• Georgian Nationality

FAO Core Competencies


• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Good written, oral, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated experience in field work in agriculture/rural development projects
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member
• Ability to solve problems and adapt to changing situations in field

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
  • Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications
  • For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

This vacancy is now closed.