National Specialist in Post-harvest Management and Value addition for Fruits

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The FAO Representation in Sri Lanka is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing agreed strategies for addressing country food, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with countrywide institutions including Government Institutions and Development Partners.

The Technical Assistance under the South-South Cooperation (SSC) with the People’s Republic of China in support of improving production and commercialization of priority fruit value chains in Sri Lanka (GCP/SRL/073/CPR) will contribute to increased production and trade of Sri Lankan fruits both in the domestic and export markets while promoting an inclusive and efficient agribusiness sector. The main outcome of the project will be improved efficiency and competitiveness of the target fruit value chains (banana, mango and pineapple) as a result of technological and institutional innovations introduced through the project leading to increased incomes for the value chain actors.

The project is paying a substantial attention on increasing the capacity of value chain actors to adopt improved post-harvest and processing practices, technologies, business skills and quality standards for better access to domestic and export market opportunities (for exports, initial focus on China). Hence, it is an utmost necessity to identify the current gaps in post-harvest, quality and export requirements for export of fruits from Sri Lanka to China and identify areas for support under the SSC project

This project will be implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of Sri Lanka. The lead partner for the project implementation will be the Department of Agriculture (DOA), while the Institute of Post-Harvest Technology (IPHT), will be responsible for activities related to post-harvest management. MoA has already identified a National Project Coordinator (NPC) to coordinate the project implementation with FAO. MoA will also ensure that adequate technical, administrative, logistical and security arrangements for experts fielded by the project throughout the duration of the project. The DOA and the MoA (represented by Additional Secretary of the Agricultural Technology of MoA), will ensure collaboration and coordination with other relevant Ministries and departments, development partners and the private sector.

Reporting Lines

Under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR (Programme) the National Specialist in Post-harvest management and Value addition for fruits will report to the National Project Specialist. He/she will work under technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and the Project Task Force (PTF.)

Technical Focus

The National Specialist in Post harvest management of fruits will be responsible for identification of the current gaps in post-harvest, quality, losses and reasons for lowering value chain efficiencies. Moreover, the expert need to identify areas for support under the SSC project for increasing the capacity to adopt improved post-harvest and processing practices, technologies, business skills and quality standards for better access to domestic and export market opportunities, mainly to China. (Priority Fruit Crops are Mango, Banana & Pineapples).

Tasks and responsibilities

His/her tasks include, but not limited to:

The key functions of the National Specialist in Post harvest management of fruits & Improvements:

• Asses the current situation, gaps and problems related to post harvest management of fruits and upgrading of the identified chains.
• Based on input received from DOA, Fruit Research & Development Institute, Provincial Departments of Agriculture (09 Provinces), Institute of Post-harvest Technology (IPHT), Hector Kobbekaduwa Research & Training Institute (HARTI), Department of Agrarian Development, Universities and other relevant public and private sector stakeholders, prepare a detailed work plan for improvement of post-harvest management options in Sri Lankan both local and for exports chains. Iidentify areas for support under the SSC project for increasing the capacity to adopt improved post-harvest and processing practices.
• Document the best approaches, lessons learnt and innovative methodology for post-harvest management improvements
• Prepare a final report indicating proposals / methodologies for improvement of post-harvest management fruits & value addition in Sri Lanka, with special emphasis on exportation to China.
• Undertake any other tasks assigned or that is relevant in supporting the efficient implementation of the project.
• In all activities, liaising with Chinese Expert on Fruit Post harvest management and obtaining their inputs is mandatory.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• An advanced degree (a Master’s Degree or equivalent) in the fields of Food Science/Agriculture/Project Management or fields relevant to the subject matter of project;
• Minimum of 05 years of experience in food/agriculture fields, with high consideration given to specific experience in post-harvest management of fruits & their value addition, food law, regulations of food standards and related governance mechanisms;
• Good communication skills with proficiency in written and spoken English, while oral skills in Sinhala and/or Tamil being an added advantage.
• The candidate must be a National of Sri Lanka or should hold a regular work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection criteria

• Experience in international development an added advantage;
• Good understanding of agriculture/food related development issues and similar activities in Sri Lanka;
• Demonstrated experience in working with government structures at national level and wider stakeholders and being well versed with national communication processes an added advantage;
• Knowledge of UN administration and related procedures an advantage;

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