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 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
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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\:
• advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
• provide technical assistance and deliver core services.
• assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.
• position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and
• ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.
The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya.
The grade of the position is SC7.
Reporting Lines
The Field Support Agronomist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the Assistant FAO Representative Programmes, the general supervision of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Programme manager and direct supervision of the National Project Lead of the Building Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities Self-Reliance Project (UNJP/KEN/120/EC).
Technical Focus
The Field Support Agronomist will provide day-to-day technical support to Partners, County Government, and Farmers (Both Refugee and Host) on Crop Production, climate smart agriculture, and Irrigation Water Management in Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement and Turkana West Sub-County.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical support to farmers and partners on the management of shade-net and open-field crop production to ensure optimal costs and levels of production are maintained in Kalobeyei and its environments
• Train, mentor, and coach Community-Based Extension Service Providers (CBESPs), farm management committees, Water User Associations, and farmers in Turkana West on Agroecological Approaches and techniques, and farming methods, including Diversification, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Agroforestry, conservation agriculture with trees, Integrated Pest Management, postharvest management, and irrigation agronomy and the management of water infrastructure.
• Facilitate producer-agro-dealers & other agro-input/service providers and producer–buyer linkages.
• Support the development of commercially viable business models for agro-dealers to provide inputs and services to farmers and encourage local entrepreneurs to invest in the business opportunity.
• Support the regreening and rehabilitation of degraded land initiatives by FAO in Kakuma and Kalobeyei and their environs
• Set and establish demonstration sites in various production areas in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and their environments.
• Support farm management committees and partners on technical issues related to the management of their water infrastructure, including water pans, pumping systems, distribution systems, drip irrigation systems, and in-situ water harvesting structures.
• Support upscaling agricultural mechanization to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency by equipping farmers with adequate mechanization training for effective, safe, and sustainable use.
• Support implementation of the monitoring and evaluation of field activities, data collection and surveys, and subsequent regular report writing.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the FAO representative or their duly appointed representative
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop science, Horticulture or a related field.
• 5 years of relevant experience working in irrigation agronomy, dryland agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and crop production with proven skills in shade-net and open-field farming, agroecology, and integrated pest management.
• Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
• National of Kenya
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Skills and Capacity to implement crop demonstrations and Farmer Field Schools.
• Experience in collaborating with and /or coordinating government, NGOs and development partners to implement impactful and resilient agriculture projects.
• Working experience in harsh environments among diverse cultures.
• Experience in rural development and participatory methodologies.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http\://www.whed.net/.These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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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