National Olive Production Expert

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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

FAO is implementing the UNJP/ALB/020/UNJ “Business Partnership and Solutions for SDGs” project to support sustainable agricultural practices, private sector engagement, and innovation-driven rural development in Albania. The project aligns with FAO’s strategic objectives, the CPF and the UNSDCF. To ensure effective implementation, FAO Albania is recruiting a National Olive Production Expert to support the project workplan implementation in this area.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (AFAOR) and in close coordination with the Sustainable Business Specialist, Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and other national and international consultants.

Technical Focus

Support capacity building for olive groves in Albania focusing on improving pest and disease management, pruning and harvesting practices, olive propagation, and establishing key production units within the framework of the UNJP “Business Partnership and Solutions for SDGs” project.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conduct a technical assessment of the current status of olive orchards and field conditions to identify key production constraints. Compile related data and technical specifications related to olive production requirements, referencing processing capacity and future market trends.
• Document prevalent olive pest and disease issues, with a focus on olive fly (Bactrocera oleae), based on secondary sources and field observations. Prepare a list of suitable monitoring techniques and tools for olive fly control, including specifications for pheromone traps and Eco traps.
• Develop technical reference material on microbial pesticides and organic treatment options for managing pests and diseases in olive groves.
• Draft technical manuals outlining sustainable pest and disease management approaches tailored to olive production systems.
• Design and finalize training modules on pruning and harvesting practices. Focusing on\:
o Specifications and performance summaries for small-scale pruning and harvesting equipment suited to olive farming;
o Technical guidelines on olive propagation and nursery production practices, emphasizing softwood propagation techniques;
o Recommended olive varieties and rootstocks, referencing adaptability, resilience, and yield characteristics;
o Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for propagation techniques, to be used in demonstration settings by third parties.
o And other additional topics based on the Rapid Context Analysis and current situation in Albania.
• Produce written extension materials such as factsheets, technical bulletins, and manuals related to best practices in olive production.
• Draft a technical framework and checklist for the setup of a Farmer Field School focused for the olive value chain.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agricultural sciences, horticulture, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in olive production and propagation, including pest management, sustainable agriculture practices, and nursery management.
• Working knowledge of English.
• Working knowledge of Albanian.
• Albanian nationality or resident of Albania with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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