National Agronomist - Hyderabad

The positions is located in the FAO office in Hyderabad. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Pakistan focuses its efforts on poverty reduction, food security, sustainable livelihoods and rural development. FAO has partnered with the Government of Pakistan on research and development, training, extension services and strengthening of the staff capacity in planning and policy making. FAO has supported improvements in agricultural policy analysis, strengthened institutions. Enhanced integrated area development and expanded participation of marginalized and vulnerable communities in sustainable development.

The positions are envisioned under GCF funded “Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management” project.

Modelling of climate change scenarios for Pakistan shows that if agriculture and water management in the Indus River Basin continue along a ‘business as usual’ pathway, increasing temperatures and changes in precipitation will pose serious threats to the future livelihoods of farmers and to the Pakistani agricultural sector. In response to this challenge, the GCF funded project, “Transforming Indus Basin with Climate Resilient Agriculture and Water Management”, will help shift Pakistan and Indus Basin agriculture from its current situation of high vulnerability toward an alternative paradigm wherein better information and farming practices will significantly increase resilience to climate change. To do this, the project will develop the country’s capacity to get and use the information it needs to cope with the impacts of climate change on agriculture and water management by putting in place state-of-the art technology (Component 1); building farmers resilience to climate change through skills, knowledge and technology (Component 2), and creating a wider enabling environment for continuous adaptation and expanded sustainable uptake of climate-resilient approaches (Component 3).

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Pakistan, the direct supervision of Assistant FAO Representative (Program), Technical Advisor, and in close coordination with International Officers in Hyderabad, the National Agronomist will undertake the following activities;

Implementation of a market-oriented production programme of high value crops supported by the Project, identifying suitable crops, varieties and sources of supply of key inputs. Developing effective training methods and modules and delivering training for participating farmers in the field and capacity building with training for FAO and Government staff.

• Support the District teams with specific knowledge and advise on all aspects of market-oriented crop development (including field and horticultural crops, seed production, tunnel farming, kitchen gardening, vegetables seedling production, fruit tree nursery development etc).
• Liaison with relevant departments of Provincial Governments, research institutions and other technical assistance projects to ensure co-ordination and the collaboration required for implementation of the Project’s crop production interventions.
• Guide and supervise the introduction, demonstration and extension of suitable species and varieties for improved crop production in the project communities to increase agricultural productivity from rainfed and irrigated lands.
• Guide and supervise the Project’s farmer field school (FFS) programme for adaptive research and participatory learning of new and improved technologies and practices to increase the crop production of participating COs, including curriculum development, training of master trainers and FFS Facilitators, implementation and monitoring of FFSs.
• Ensure the inclusion of training/capacity building on the use of climate, water and agriculture information in FFS design implementation and monitoring;
• Develop recommendations on the design, site selection, installation and management of adaptive research plots for improved crop production as part of the Project’s FFS programme.

• In close collaboration with the FAO Districts Team Leaders and PMU experts, design, support and supervise the implementation of a market-oriented production programme of high value crops with COs and FMCs (special focus on women) supported by the Project, identifying suitable crops, varieties and sources of supply of key inputs, and implementing the necessary training of participants.
• Developing effective training methods and modules for delivering training in the field and capacity building of FAO and Government staff

Develop and supervise the implementation of a training programme on improved crop production strategies and practices suited to the Project’s target areas, including practical training of the Project’s Facilitators, and DoAC extension staff as trainers in the application of these improved technologies and techniques

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

• Advance University degree in plant/crop sciences, agriculture, agri business
• Proven experience (minimum 08 years) within the agricultural sector in Pakistan, preferably in crops, including marketing aspects and engagement with the private sector.
• Good knowledge of Urdu and Sindhi, and a good working knowledge of English.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams is essential.
• National of Pakistan.

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

• Expertise in smallholder production systems in arid and semi-arid agro-ecological zones of Pakistan
• Track record experience in crop diversification, preferably in climate smart/resilient crops technologies and practices
• Experience agribusiness development
• Good communication, reporting and presentation skills in English (both written and spoken), Urdu and Sindhi.
• Hands-on, well-organized, flexible, result focused and a spirited team player.
• Good project planning, implementation and monitoring skills.
• Problem analysis and problem solution skills.
• Social and networking skills.
• Previous experience of working with UN organization is an asset
• Ability to deal with stakeholders from a broad range of backgrounds.
• Good computer skills (word, excel, power point etc).

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above