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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
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to achieve food security and nutrition for all. With presently 194 member states, and working in more than 130 countries worldwide, including Namibia. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The aim of the FAO Country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Country Office activities include the design and implementation of country-specific field programs, liaison with local donors' representatives, and active outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.
Background
In line with its mandate, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) continues to support the Government of Namibia through targeted technical assistance delivered in collaboration with key ministries, agencies, and local institutions. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), locally known as Mahangu, remains the country’s most climate-resilient staple crop, uniquely adapted to Namibia’s predominantly arid and semi-arid production environments. With average annual rainfall of approximately 285 mm, recurrent high temperatures, and frequent drought events, agricultural production systems face considerable constraints. Mahangu’s deep rooting capacity, short growth cycle, and high tolerance to moisture stress make it indispensable for household food security, particularly in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), where more than 60 percent of the population relies on it as their primary cereal.
Despite its strategic importance, Namibia’s annual production is estimated at 371,800 MT and meets only about 52 percent of domestic requirements, resulting in continued dependence on cereal imports. Climate variability and extreme weather events further compound the situation, with output declining from 44,100 MT in 2021/22 to 36,100 MT in 2022/23. Enhancing the productivity, stability, and commercial viability of mahangu production is therefore essential for reducing food insecurity and strengthening national self-sufficiency.
Although mahangu is designated as a controlled product under the Agronomic Industry Act (2008), the value chain remains predominantly subsistence oriented. Production systems are characterized by limited adoption of improved agronomic practices, inadequate post-harvest and storage technologies, low levels of processing, and weak market integration. Addressing these systemic constraints is central to unlocking the crop’s full potential for rural incomes, nutrition, and agro-industrial development.
Reporting Lines
The Millet Seed Production Expert will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, with day-to-day supervision by the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.
Technical Focus
• Analyze gaps and opportunities for climate-resilient millet seed production.
• Train extension and research officers as Trainers of Trainers (ToT) in seed production.
• Millet Seed Production Manual.
• Train seed growers on millet seeds and production thereof.
• Presentation on Millet seed production at the Mahangu Symposium.
• Peer learning on millet seed.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical support to strengthen Namibia’s mahangu seed system through capacity development and coordinated stakeholder engagement
• Provide technical support at the inception workshop and present project objectives, clarify deliverables, and ensure alignment among seed value chain stakeholders.
• Gather seed-related data and provide technical inputs to the national mahangu value chain assessment, in collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, the Millet Value Chain Expert, and relevant government technical departments
• Assess gaps and opportunities within the millet seed system, with a focus on climate-resilient seed production
• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for 56 extension and research officers on millet seed production
• Oversee the development of a comprehensive Millet Seed Production Manual covering soil fertility management, seed selection, pest management, good agronomic practices, yield estimation, and seed processing, grading, and storage
• Support capacity development of seed growers on seed production, processing, weed and plant population management, and basic financial and market skills.
• Support knowledge exchange through presentations on millet seed production at the national Millet (Mahangu) Symposium for breeders, researchers, and extension staff
• Support exposure visits and farmer-to-farmer learning for seed growers to learn from lead farmers applying best practices in seed production
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Agronomy, Seed Science and Technology, Plant Breeding, Crop Science, or a closely related field.
• At least 5 years of proven experience working in semi-arid agricultural systems and with smallholder seed growers.
• Experience of at least 5 years in designing or implementing capacity-building programmes for extension staff and farmers.
• The candidate is required to provide a full account of previous experience, together with contactable references National of Namibia or resident of the country with 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).
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact\: Careers@fao.org
- 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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