Desert Locust Response specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO's office for Yemen is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing countrywide food, agriculture and rural development priorities under Yemen. It develops and maintains relations with the relevant Ministries at country level. This position is based in FAO Representation in Sanaa, Yemen. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative (FAOR), and under the direct supervision of the Agriculture Officer.

Technical Focus

The position’s technical focus is on the implementation of a sound desert locust response in line with the lifecycle of Desert Locust and includes technical elements of control, surveillance and livelihood protection.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist the Operational Partner in the implementation of their activities, by providing technical guidance and support
• Contribute to the program’s capacity needs assessment exercises, preparation of training programmes for government and non-government partners as required, contribute to or facilitate training of trainers courses
• Facilitate the preparation of procurement plans, technical specifications and required technical support to accelerate the procurement process
• Assist in the preparation of training material and in organizing training events
• Help in the establishment of strong partnerships with pertinent government and non-government actors, and work closely with partners on data collection, assessment, analysis, reporting and dissemination
• Contribute to the preparation of regular and ad-hoc situation reports, progress and final reports
• Support and guide the field operations related to aerial spraying, survey and ground spraying activities;
• Ensure that the results of aerial treatments and the observations made by the national ground support personnel are properly documented and transcribed and then transmitted in near real time.
• Assist in the training on Desert Locust biology, survey, control and reporting.
• Perform other related duties, as requested;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture preferably in entomology or a closely related field
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in: pest surveillance and management desert locust, preferably locust control; insect pest data collection using modern digital tools; and/or good knowledge and experience in pesticide risk management
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish (knowledge of Arabic is preferred)
• National of Yemen

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focused
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience in organizing and conducting trainings at national and local government level
• Excellent abilities in coordination and monitoring are required as well as demonstrated experience in coordinating and liaising with multiple stakeholders
• Ability, willingness and initiative to meet tight work schedules
• Excellent analytical and communication skills
• Relevant working experience for an international or multi-lateral organization and or with government is considered an advantage;

Selection Criteria/ Technical/Functional Skills

• Initiative to meet tight work schedules.
• Demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills.
• Experience with external coordination platforms and mechanisms, emergency response preferred.
• Relevant work experience for an international or multi-lateral organization and/or with government is an added advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English is required