International consultant on improved pesticide spraying practices

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

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
The FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region, which includes Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Türkiye, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing similar challenges.
The International consultant on improved pesticide spraying practices will work in the frame of the GEF-funded and FAO-managed project “Lifecycle Management of Pesticides and Disposal of POPs Pesticides in Central Asian countries and Türkiye” and is to provide support to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Türkiye to improve pesticide spraying practices, thereby reducing environmental and health risks.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Sub-regional Coordinator for Central Asia, FAO Budget Holder, the technical supervision by the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), the day-to-day supervision by the Senior Technical Advisor (STA), and in close coordination with National Team Leaders (NTLs) in countries and other stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Provide support to improved regular maintenance, inspection and calibration of spraying equipment; selection, use and disposal of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE); and farmers training on pesticides risk management.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assess existing spraying operators certification systems in countries. Provide recommendations to complete current systems or develop a concept for a national spraying operators certification;
• Develop and support Training of Trainers (including development of training curriculum and guidance materials) for national professionals and extension specialists on certification/registration of spraying equipment as well as on regular inspection of application equipment, spraying operations, maintenance of spraying equipment, dose calculation, nozzle calibration;
• Develop and support gender-sensitive Training of Trainers (including development of training curriculum and guidance materials) for extension specialists and technical staff targeting farmers on a) PPE selection, proper use, and proper disposal of used PPE, and b) on best spraying practices and maintenance of spraying equipment to ensure safe pesticide use and minimise health and environmental risks;
• Review and provide proposals for updates to various FAO guidelines on pesticide spraying.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture/agronomy, agricultural chemistry, plant production, or other related field;
• At least 10 years of demonstrated experience in pesticide management. Experience in working in the project areas will be an asset;
• Working knowledge (level C) of English in speaking and writing and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO language (Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, or Russian), good command of Russian will be an asset; for PSA, working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Technical and pedagogical capacity to support work on improving pesticide spraying practices including technical advice appropriate for the economic and social context of the countries, development of guidance materials and concepts:
• Demonstrated experience in field trainings and communication with farmers;
• Proved communication skills with government representatives, national experts and local communities;
• Previous working experience in UN organizations is an asset.

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