Vegetable Production Specialist (Protected Agriculture)

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background, and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct and to uphold our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• 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

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable crop production and protection through optimization and minimization”. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate sustainable crop production and protection policies and practices, in order to increase production in a sustainable manner to address food security and nutrition challenges while protecting the environment for current and future generations.

The post is located in Rural and Urban Crop and Mechanization Systems team (NSPLD), one of the six teams in the division. NSPLD provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries aimed at sustainably increasing crop production as key contributions to food security, improved livelihoods and diversified diets in both rural, urban and peri-urban contexts.

Reporting Lines

The Consultant will work under the overall technical supervision of NSPLD Team Leader and under the direct supervision of an officer of the team.

Technical Focus

Sustainable intensification and diversification of protected cultivation systems (including high value horticultural crops grown in greenhouses, net-houses, hydroponics and other soilless systems) in rural, urban and peri-urban areas.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical support and trainings on sustainable horticulture systems to programs and projects for all country members through sub-regional and regional offices (Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Asia and East-Europe)
• Assist and support FAO emergency programs in countries in crisis due to armed conflicts or climate disasters on food security, agriculture production, climate resilience addressing nutrition and incomes for small-scale farmers.
• Support FAO projects on adapted protected cultivation systems agriculture for vegetable and seedling production on designing and adapting technical specifications of greenhouses, net houses, soilless culture including hydroponics and substrate based systems in collaboration with FAO country offices, regional partners and national consultants.
• Maintain, adapt and share database of technical specifications of items related to horticulture with projects and programs at global level such as climate control, covering materials, substrates and fertigation systems for a tender, procure and delivery.
• Support and engage adapted innovations as well as the integrated crop management as the best approach to increase productivity and increase the efficiency in the use of natural resources (including climate smart practices) taking in consideration the soil management, water management, plant nutrition, pest and diseases management and cultural practices.
• Support innovations to improve production efficiency through precision agriculture, digitalization and mechanization
• Assist in developing a training course and modules in sustainable protected cultivation systems including: Introduction to protected agriculture, climate management, covering materials, soil and substrate management, seedling production, water management, plant nutrition, sanitation and exclusion measures, Integrated Pest Management (IPM,) cultural practices for the most common vegetables.
• Contribute and assist in coordinating the development and publication of farmer-oriented manual, bulletins, guidelines, fact-sheets and videos on basic practices for sustainable protected cultivation systems for vegetable and seedling production.
• Visit project sites, provide technical assistance, monitor demonstration plots and prepare reports on performance of production systems in each country;
• Carry out any other activities relevant to the assignment

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Agricultural Sciences, Plant Sciences, Natural Resource Management or related fields
• At least ten years of relevant experience in protected cultivation systems in developing countries
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Practical work experience in developing countries
• Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation, implementation and reporting
• Familiarity with international organizations, regional entities, national governments and development
• Extent and relevance of experience in private sector is considered an asset

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