Agricultural Officer (Plant Nutrition)

3.

Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Location: 3.
Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
Occupational Groups:
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Nutrition
- AGP
Closing Date: Closed

1H011H01

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 Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) promotes sustainable crop production intensification (SCPI). This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at enhancing productivity; natural resources conservation and management; rural livelihoods and resilience.

The post is located in the Ecosystem Approach to Crop Production Intensification Team (AGPME), one of six teams in AGP. AGPME provides technical support, guidance and advice to countries aimed at sustainably increasing crop production taking an integrated, agro-ecological approach, harnessing eco-system services and promoting soil health and fertility.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer, AGPME.

Technical Focus

Contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security from a nutrient management perspective by

developing integrated soil nutrient management concepts, strategies, practices and guidelines with a focus on plant nutrition and the efficient use of nutrient inputs including fertilizers.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis, and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products, and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyzes technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional, and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.

• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes, and databases.

• Participates on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy

Specific Functions

• Provides policy and technical advice on sustainable soil nutrient management and for effective and efficient use of plant nutrients that meet agricultural demands and minimize nutrient losses to the environment, in support of programmes and projects on sustainable crop production intensification.

• Identifies, evaluates and disseminates relevant information and best practices to promote efficient use of plant nutrient inputs in the support of sustainable cropping systems.

• Contributes to work on conservation agriculture and climate change.

• Collects information and up-dates FAO's Fertibase and Integrated Plant Nutrition Information System (IPINS) on fertilizers, provides statistics on the use of fertilizer in major agro-ecosystems and contributes to relevant publications.

• Provides technical advice and support to emergency response and rehabilitation interventions involving provision of fertilizers.

• Provides technical clearance of inputs in procurement.

• Promotes approaches, strategies and practices for recycling of nutrients for agricultural uses to reduce the environmental impacts of excess nutrients in the biosphere.

• Promotes collaboration between all stakeholders involved for responsible and sustainable development, production, use and management of fertilizers and reused and recycled nutrients.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture/agronomy or a related field with emphasis on soil management and plant nutrition.

• Five years of relevant experience in soil management and the efficient use of nutrient inputs in cropping systems including experience in developing countries

• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

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, particularly in field positions is desirable

• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of plant nutrition in the context of sustainable crop production systems

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in related fields of soil management and soil-ecology in the context of smallholder farming systems

• Demonstrated experience in collecting, analyzing and disseminating technical information and data