PLANT PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION SPECIALIST

FAO Malawi assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to respond to crises. The Plant Production and Protection Specialist will be hired to provide technical support to all relevant projects implemented within FAO Malawi.

Reporting Lines

The plant production and protection Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, the Assistant FAOR (Programme) and the day-to-day supervision of the Head of Technical Section and close collaboration with relevant officers in the Project Coordination Section and the relevant Lead Technical Officers (LTO).

The plant production and protection specialist will be the focal point for all FAO Malawi on issues of plant production and protection with particular focus on plant health\: providing the overall management and direction on all aspects of the project cycle - from formulation, resource mobilization to implementation and closure.

The incumbent will work more specifically\:

• Facilitate the identification and deployment of technical expertise to support the various training events for the management of Fall Armyworm (FAW) and other key pests and diseases in Malawi.
• Provide support in the planning, organization of the FAW response intervention activities in Malawi.
• Contribute to resource mobilization activities for plant production and protection interventions in Malawi.
• Provide technical support in designing, implementation and sustenance of national surveillance and monitoring of plant pests and diseases, particularly paying attention to the emerging ones.
• Provide leadership in the designing Farmer Field School studies in the area of plant protection, data collection, analysis and interpretation and dissemination of results.
• Provide leadership in the designing, preparation and dissemination of awareness materials in the area of plant production and protection.
• Contribute technical expertise to the general plant production and protection programmes, projects and activities in Malawi, including support efforts for resource mobilization, meetings, workshops and trainings.
• Support Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) interventions and other relevant agro-ecological approaches that promote scaling up adoption of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in Malawi.
• Development and review of work plans, budgets and procurement plans.
• Gather, synthesise and disseminate key information relating to plant production and protection;
• Provide technical advice and guidance on technical specifications, evaluation and clearance of all related goods and services procured with support from FAO by working closely with relevant government departments.
• Represent FAO in relevant technical working groups and task forces on plant production and protection.
• Perform any other tasks as may be required form time to time.

• Advanced degree from a recognized University in agriculture, agronomy, plant protection or related fields. Academic and professional background and experience in the fields of Entomology and Integrated Pest Management will be an advantage
• At least 10 years relevant experience, preferably in agricultural/crop development programmes with a strong focus on project development and capacity development using participatory extension approaches.
• Working knowledge of English.
• National of Malawi

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in working with Government or UN agencies in administration or protocol;
• Capacity in effective relationship and partnership building;
• Capacity in communication and team building.
• Ability to work as a team player in multi-disciplinary and multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.