Agricultural Specialist

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• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
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Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) advances the 2030 Agenda through its Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation toward more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. This effort promotes better production, improved nutrition, a healthier environment, and enhanced livelihoods, ensuring no one is left behind.

The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing, and implementing strategies and projects that drive the transformation of food, agriculture, and rural development. It also fosters and maintains relationships with subregional institutions.

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP).

A Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) project TCP/PLW/4001 is partnering with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and the Environment (MAFE) of the Republic of Palau to establish commercial farms through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Under this arrangement, the government will provide land, technical expertise, and support, while selected individuals will contribute partial investment and oversee farm management to run it as a viable and scalable commercial enterprise. Palau, like many small island nations, faces challenges in securing adequate land for agricultural development. Recognizing this obstacle as a significant barrier to promoting and establishing commercial farms, the MAFE has strategized to foster growth of commercial farms to support local farmers in enhancing their productivity and income levels. As a pilot, two farmers will be selected and provided access to land parcels to grow various vegetable and fruits with a view to replicating the model based on the learnings.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific, the direct supervision of Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and in close collaboration with the MAFE officials, the Specialist will perform the following activities

Technical Focus

The Specialist will oversee daily operations of the project, with a primary focus on ensuring its successful implementation and reporting in accordance with the project plan.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Understand the mission of the project and study the opportunities, challenges, players, policies, technical and agribusiness related matters to be able to plan and support the pilot farmers to succeed.
• Assist MAFE to identify, contract, train, motivate and monitor two pilot farmers to implement the commercial farming pilot plan.
• Coordinate between Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), MAFE, market actors and farmers as needed to assist in successful implementation of the pilot project by, among other things, organising for the following\:
• Develop and validate a recommended cropping plan and calendar in consultation with the MAFE staff and TTM experts
• Develop and organise a capacity development and ongoing monitoring and mentoring plan for the pilot farmers
• Provide technical and managerial support the pilot farmers in producing, value adding, marketing of their produce and in keeping good records to evaluate their commercial performance
• Promote the pilot farm as an inspiration to other farmers and youth to adopt best practices and/or express interest to get involved a commercial farmer themselves
• Collect regular observations and data on crops, pests, problems, production volumes, products, sales, financial analysis etc for reporting and case study development
• Develop a final report on the project to capture learnings and lay down recommendations for expansion on commercial farming scheme in Public-Private-Partnership mode.
• Liaise with FAO colleagues based in the Sub-Regional office as needed to ensure development, regular follow up and conclusion of Letters of Agreement (LoA) and procurement action including procurement plan as needed under the project.
• Be proactive to identify issues and consult with MAFE, LTO, TTM and others as needed to ensure successful implementation of the project and its objectives in a timely manner within the allocated budget

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in the field of agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness or related field
• At least three years of relevant experience in vegetable production, sales and management
• Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Working knowledge of local language in Palau
• Efficiency, competence and integrity as well as negotiating skills, tact and diplomacy are essential.
• Able to work with multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural project partners at regional and international level;
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
• Extent of knowledge of FAO standard operational rules and procedures and project/programme administrative management procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities, with experience liaising between diverse project stakeholders.
• Extent of knowledge of FAO’s corporate systems and database, or knowledge of other accounting or financial modules or applications relevant to accounting procedures or project budget management would be considered an asset.
• Demonstrated analytical and judgment skills and ability to apply rules and regulations in the subject field.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in managing or coordinating international, regional, or national projects related to agriculture and the environment.

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

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.

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