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International Perennial Cropping Systems Specialist

Multiple locations

  • Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
  • Location: Multiple locations
  • Grade: Consultancy - Consultant - Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
  • Closing Date: Closed

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

  • 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 Members 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 FAO's values
  • FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination  
  • All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
  • All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in Azerbaijan in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Azerbaijan implements “Catalyzing the Efficiency and Sustainability of Azerbaijan’s Hazelnut Sector – HAZER” project under the FAO-Azerbaijan Partnership Programme (FAPP). The main goal of the project is to empower smallholder farmers to adopt Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) to increase production efficiency of hazelnut, with adapted mechanization technologies and services and to increase the quality of nuts produced, with specific focus on reducing the risk of aflatoxin contamination. The project is aiming to empower newly established Government institutes and state agencies while linking to private sector actors.

The National Consultant on Renewable Energy will contribute to the below project activities under Output 3 (Improved farmers capacity on sustainable hazelnut crop management, post-harvest handling and safety):

  • Activity 3.1 Implement GAP through appropriate extension mechanisms in field
  • Activity 3.2 Promote mechanization technologies and services for crop production
  • Activity 3.3 Promote mechanization for harvesting, drying and storage

Reporting Lines

Ms. Melek Cakmak, FAO Representative in Azerbaijan

Technical Focus

Under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in Azerbaijan (AFAOR), the direct technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and in close coordination with the relevant technical officer, the operational supervision of Operations Specialist and Program Management Specialist (FAPP) and in close cooperation with the Project Leader and main project counterpart, the Ministry of Agriculture and Scientific-Research Institute of Fruit and Tea Growing (SRIFTG), the International Consultant will perform the below tasks

Tasks and responsibilities

  • Conduct discussions with the local partners (including the National Technical Committee established under the project) to establish the field demonstration for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and mechanization (the designed is based on the technical reports available);
  • Support the establishment of at least 30 demonstration plots in the targeted regions during the assignment;
  • Coordinate and support the master trainers (who participated in the ToT) and local institutions to execute practical GAP training (at least 20 trainees per training) considering one training in each demonstration plot;
  • Monitor the success of the training and the level of adoption of GAP in the targeted regions
  • Engage with the private sector to promote services (agricultural and/or mechanization services) and recommend mechanism for collaboration (e.g. contract farming between hazelnut exporters and farmers/farmers groups);
  • Support the demonstration of technologies (irrigation, weeding, fertilisation, pruning,) and for harvesting, drying and storage in the demo sites;
  • Participate in the technical and planning meetings of the project;
  • Timely reporting to budget holder, Project Leader, national technical committee and Lead Technical Officer (LTO);
  • Facilitate preparation and implementation of Project communication and knowledge management frameworks;
  • Facilitate and strengthen collaboration between national project’s stakeholders and regional/international partners to ensure smooth implementation and delivery of project’s activities

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in Agriculture or Horticulture Science and management or related field
  • Seven years of relevant experience in the areas of hazelnut production management, quality assurance systems or Good Agricultural Practices
  • Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

  • Knowledge and experience of work in the project area will be an advantage
  • Experience in sustainable intensification and diversification in perennial and orchard crop production and post-harvest operations.
  • Experience in organic production is an asset
  • Knowledge of crop protection methods and sustainable mechanization technologies is an asset.
  • Strong computer, report writing, and presentation skills

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

This vacancy is now closed.
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