Expert on Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) and Farmer’s Field Schools (FFS)

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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 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

FAO's work in Iraq is focused on three medium-term priority areas for technical support\: strengthening smallholder production and productivity to improve food security and nutrition; enabling farmers to apply improved production techniques including Integrated Crop and Pest Management through Farmer’s Field Schools; enhancing family farming capacity for commercialization and value chain approach, strengthening sustainable management of natural resources; increasing resilience of rural livelihoods to climatic shock and climate change, through the development and application of an integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.
In the context of the activities implemented with Farmer’s Field Schools (FFS), the FAO experience in Iraq started in 2019. The project positive impact led the FFS approach to be recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as the preferred capacity building methodology for family farmers. FAO is currently the agency of reference in agriculture and rural development and FFS recognized by public institutions, development partners and civil society organizations.
The FFS approach has been scaled up under the ongoing programme defining FFS in the context of specific location and commodities, incorporating vegetable, horticultural, field crops and livestock related issues (in green house, agri-food processing, pastures management, animal health, water managements etc., through the value chain approach) as a key resilience-enabling factor for communities

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAOR of Iraq, in coordination with the Deputy Representative and the Lead Technical Officers in the Regional Office of the Near East Cairo and working closely with FAO-Iraq team inside the country, the international expert will be responsible for establishing, running and monitoring the Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) -FFS programmes in targeted governorates in Iraq

Technical Focus

ICPM,FFS, capacity building, coordination and management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop a comprehensive Integrated Crop and Pest Management-FFS programme;
• Lead the design and implementation of FAO’s ICPM-FFS approach in Iraq – by training and employing qualified extension workers as Facilitators.
• Provide technical expertise to the capacity building and practically deliver technical and field training process (incl. FFS) of family farmers on areas related with agronomic practices, commercialization, value chain, resilience, natural resources management, Integrated Crop and Pest Management among others.
• Oversee the work of junior FFS experts in preparing the FFS training curricula and conducting the crops Integrated Crop and Pest Management -FFS Training of Facilitators (TOF).
• Lead the implementation of the project component on the targeted crops/value chain;
• Coordinate with national and international partners, including government counterparts;
• Develop and oversee implementation of the capacity development program through context specific meetings, trainings, technical support and mentoring.
• Ensure that latest and best international practices and approaches are reflected in the design and planning, and implementation of the FFS component of different targeted crops/value chains.
• Prepare FFS reports and briefings to donors.

• Prepare the periodic projects procurement plan of FFS and demo plots inputs including specifications. Perform other related duties and activities upon instructions.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Agriculture, Natural Resources Management and or related field.
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects
• Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
• Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners
• Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

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

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