NATIONAL CONSULTANT – PEST MANAGEMENT

FAO Bangladesh assists the Government to formulate policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and utilize environmental and natural resources in a sustainable way. It contributes to the development of FAO’s field programme projects in the country and implements them in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development.

The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project of FAO, “Emergency response to enhance technical capacity for monitoring and management of Fall Armyworm in Bangladesh (TCP/BGD/3705)” will contribute to the protection of livelihoods and food security of the agricultural farmers, agri-entrepreneurs and contract growers, who are living in Fall Armyworm affected areas and developing capacities of main stakeholders in awareness, surveillance, monitoring and integrated management of the FAW

Reporting Lines

The national consultant will be under the overall managerial, administrative leadership and supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and close collaboration with the Government counterpart as well as other project staff in the various project in FAO Bangladesh.

Technical Focus

Support the development and implementation of emergency rresponse to enhance technical capacity for monitoring and management of Fall Armyworm.

Tasks and responsibilities

- Identify project partners (farmers, extension workers, NGOs and stakeholders), focal points in each districts and formulate their role in activities of FAW monitoring and management;
- Assist and support in meeting/ workshops to discuss the scope and objectives of the project, present the proposed work plan and designating the responsibilities of each stakeholders in Bangladesh;
- Prepare and produce communication materials (posters, leaflets, videos, etc.) in local language and disseminate followed by initiating awareness raising campaigns through local media coverage on the danger/damage posed by FAW infestation;
- Develop and print in local language and disseminate FAO-FAW FFS guide and communication materials on options of sustainable management of FAW and the danger of using hazardous and costly pesticides in management of FAW and effective alternatives;
- Support and assist establishment of FAMEWS MAP Platform;
- Support and assist stakeholders training and ToT trainings and other IPM techniques, monitoring tools and FAW sustainable management options.
- Support and assist in meeting for the officials of all concerned government organizations to raise awareness of the danger created by FAW, importance and effectiveness of FAMEWS, and to obtain commitment in the use of FAMEWs;
- Support, assist and conduct ToT for national focal extension officers on FAW trapping/ field scouting/ how to use FAMEWS application for collecting data from field/ data validation and review and analysis of data generated and presented in the FAMEWS Global Platform
- Support, assist and conduct training workshops for all stake-holders at different districts on FAW trapping/field scouting/how to use FAMEWS application for collecting data from the field;
- Support, assist and conduct ToT for FFS facilitators on how to implement and run FFSs in relation to sustainable FAW management and development of bio-pesticides;
- Support, assist and conduct three-months survey to identify the potential local tools, knowledge on biological agents and the potential FAW natural enemies in Bangladesh and opportunities and produce a comprehensive report;
- Support and assist in training of farmers on the production of biopesticides and/or natural enemies;
- Produce 2 (two) evaluation reports on the local FAW management options and 1 (one) evaluation report on the ability to reduce natural enemies produced;
- Support and assist in training of farmers on the production of potential control of FAW using physical and mechanical tools and PPE at farm or community level;
- Support and assist in the evaluation of the efficiency of local traditional tools and knowledge as FAW management options through FFS established by DAE;
- Prepare end of assignment technical report based on FAO standards and editorial guidelines.
- Any other task assigned by the FAO Representative / Assistant FAO Representative (programme).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

- Advanced University Degree, preferably PD. in one of the following\: Plant Pathology, Crop Science, Plant Disease Epidemiology, Host Plant Resistance, Crop Protection, and knowledge in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an added advantage.
- National of Bangladesh or resident in the country
- Five years of relevant experience in transboundary plant-disease management in developing countries.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

- Excellent knowledge of English is essential and well computer literate.
- Good organizational capability and teamwork skills are required.
- Depth of knowledge and extent of working experience in transboundary plant-disease management in developing countries.
- Demonstrated ability to work, coordinate and motivate multidisciplinary teams.
- Demonstrated ability to provide coordination in inter-institutional and inter-cultural collaborative research and development.
- Ability to interpret and analyze field information.
- Demonstrated advisory skills and excellent oral and written communications skills (including ability to write concise reports).
- Willingness and fitness to travel.