Crop Technician

Organizational Setting

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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices\:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation.
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

There are three available positions in the following districts\: Dolakha (Melung Rural Municipality), Dhanusha (Janaknandini Rural Municipality), and Sindhupalchowk (Sunkoshi Rural Municipality). Applicants are required to indicate their preferred Rural Municipality (RM) in their motivation letter.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Nepal, the direct supervision of the Project Team Leader with technical guidance of Cluster Crop Value Chain Specialist and in coordination with Crop Production Specialist, the Crop Technician will perform the following tasks.

Technical Focus

As a Crop Technician, the candidate has to assist in the planning and execution of field operations including planting, cultivating, and harvesting by implementing crop management practices to optimize growth conditions, such as fertilization, irrigation, and pest control through regular field inspections and data collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Form/ identify producer groups for implementation of crop related interventions of the project,
• Conduct group level orientation/meeting to sensitize on project activities as per the guidance from PCU,
• Mobilize crop FFS groups for crop FFS and other training in line with work plan of the FANSEP/FAO-TA Project,
• Identify lead farmers from the FFS, and facilitate their participation in additional refresher training,
• Facilitate groups formation and registration process in concerned rural municipalities and provide group strengthening support,
• Facilitate producer groups in developing proposals/business plan for accessing matching grant support from the project,
• Mobilize crop producer groups for demonstration, seed production and other crop productivity improvement related training and other activities as per approved annual work plan of PCU and FAO-TA,
• Prepare and submit trimester and monthly work plan and monthly progress report as per the format developed by the project,
• Identify demonstrations sites, coordinate with PCUs for the timely distribution of quality inputs to producer groups,
• Assist PCU in implementation of the seed multiplication, crop cutting data collection, and small scale irrigation related activities (including deep boring installation),
• Assist PCU in collection of baseline data from field level, conduction of assessment and surveys
• Provide technical services to members of producer groups on crop production related activities,
• Monitor the crop related interventions implemented by the producer groups and prepare monthly progress reports on the project related activities,
• Collect and report field level data required for PMIS to Cluster-based Crop Value Chain Specialist on monthly basis,
• Prepare and submit Trimester and monthly plan to PCU and cluster-based Crop Value Chain Specialist as per the format developed by the project,
• Assist in conducting on-farm demonstration and collect data on crop productivity related parameters as per the given template,
• Report on progress in the use of funds disbursed to the producer groups by the PCU under matching grants,
• Support PCUs to mobilize multi-stakeholder dialogue platform and productive alliances for market linkages,
• Monitor ESMF compliance of crop related activities and prepare periodic report,
• Implement awareness raising activities on environment and social issues and safeguard aspects and collect information as per project requirement,
• Undertake other project related tasks as assigned by PCU chief, PCU staffs and FAO TA-Team

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/Technical Diploma (equivalent to SLC/TSLC) in Agriculture relevant with JTA
• At least two years of working experience in assisting the implementation of field operations and crop management, pest and disease management, irrigation and water management, post-harvest handling and of experience in agriculture development projects activities
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali, knowledge of local language will be an advantage
• National of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Work experience in farmer groups formation and mobilization
• Strong knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance environmental health and long-term productivity.
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards.
• Good knowledge of the organizational structure.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated practical and technical experience in crop productions with major experience of biological control research, extension, and development on the day-to-day operational activities of the project or programmes.
• Good knowledge of computer operation of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment
• Extent of technical and practical experience on the day-to-day operational activities of the project or programmes.
• Communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Nepali.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Prior work experience with UN agencies, development partners, banks, and government of Nepal.
• High degree of team ethics, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION