Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist (Kharkivska)

Organizational Setting

The war in Ukraine has placed the entire Ukrainian agrifood system at risk, with significant consequences for food security both in Ukraine and globally. The destruction or damage to agricultural infrastructure and markets, and the disruption of food supply chains is threatening the food security of already vulnerable populations. Agriculture-based livelihoods, a key source of income for 30 percent of the population, are severely impacted. While many Ukrainians are fleeing their communities and/or the country, a significant proportion of the population is staying, facing extreme challenges and thus requiring multisectoral humanitarian assistance.

In this context, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is uniquely positioned in Ukraine to implement a multidimensional and innovative strategy to sustain and restore agrifood systems at scale.
Capitalizing on its technical expertise and in-country experience, the strategic approach of the Organization will focus on restoring food security and self-sufficiency in front-line communities (Pillar 1); restoring critical agricultural production and value chains (Pillar 2); and enhancing coordination and technical support to the functioning of critical food system services (Pillar 3). FAO has expanded its presence in Ukraine and established a strong multidisciplinary team. FAO’s country office remains in Kyiv, with field offices in Lviv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Dnipro.

This role is based in-office, in Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of FAO Head of Office, direct supervision by the FAO International Programme Coordinator and in close coordination with the rest of the Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme Team, the Agronomist and Community Liaison.

The Specialist for Kharkivska will be responsible for providing field support in agronomy, as well as community liaison and data collection services related to the implementation of the programme “Restoring livelihoods and revitalizing rural communities affected by mines and explosive remnants of war”. The specialist will support the overall implementation of the project, which is focused on post-demining land rehabilitation and livelihoods assistance in Kharkiv and Mykolaiv.

The Agronomist and Community Liaison Specialist must therefore be familiar with Ukrainian small holder farming practices and needs, and he/she must also be familiar with conservation and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) practices or be willing to develop this expertise.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will be responsible for provision and assistance in programmatic and operational support to the implementation of emergency assistance and early recovery and development projects in the southern region of Ukraine.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Facilitate community-based participatory planning sessions by engaging local government stakeholders, community groups, and affected community members.
• Establish and maintain regular communication channels with farmers and households benefiting from the Programme.
• Conduct needs assessments among beneficiaries to identify the level and type of support required to restart agricultural operations.
• Compile and maintain an accurate database of identified needs in liaison with the Data Management Specialist of the Programme.
• Collaborate closely with the Programme team to ensure accurate and timely delivery of assistance.
• Assess training needs, particularly in climate-smart agricultural practices, and contribute to the development of training curricula accordingly.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for training sessions, workshops, seminars, missions, and meetings organized under the project.
• Manage the network of demonstration parcels established under the Programme, including drafting work plans, progress reports, and other project deliverables related to agricultural resumption in war-affected areas.
• Document field visits using the Kobo data collection platform.
• Maintain accurate records of logistics and finances related to project activities.
• Manage local inventory records, including asset recording, maintenance, and safeguarding responsibilities.
• Facilitate the registration of farming households into the State Agrarian Registry (SAR) of Ukraine.Perform any other related duties as required to support the successful implementation of the Programme.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor degree in agronomy support to commercial farmers or farming households.
• At least three (3) to five (5) years of experience in the Ukrainian agriculture sector, ideally directly in farming, farm management or food processing and management;
• Working knowledge/Fluency (Level C or native) of English, Ukrainian and/or Russian
• National of Ukraine

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extensive knowledge of community structure, local livelihoods, local vulnerabilities, animal production, financial planning of farm management, business development, and land tenure and legal system of the country;
• Proven ability to work with agricultural or rural communities and related stakeholders in an open, accessible, and transparent manner;
• Experience in conservation or climate smart agriculture will be considered an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION