NUS Crop Production and Technology Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims to achieve security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. FAO's mission is to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition, make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable, reduce rural poverty, and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems.

Job Overview:
The NUS Crop Production and Technology Specialist position is crucial for addressing the challenges posed by climate change on food security in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in Indonesia. The specialist will provide technical expertise and operational support for the promotion, production, dissemination, and value chain development of Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS). This role focuses on climate-smart crop production, strengthening seed systems, developing farmer capacities, conserving agrobiodiversity, adding value to crops, establishing market linkages, and managing knowledge to support resilient and nutritious food systems. The specialist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government partners, research institutions, and the private sector, to ensure the successful implementation of projects aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the NUS Crop Production and Technology Specialist include leading the identification and data collection of priority NUS, facilitating multi-stakeholder consultations, assisting in project work plan development, ensuring gender-equitable participation, organizing capacity-building activities, developing technical guidelines on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), promoting technology dissemination, identifying processing and packaging technologies, submitting project-related documents for review, preparing progress reports, and performing any other related duties as assigned. The specialist will also be responsible for engaging with farmers and stakeholders to address production bottlenecks and enhance the value chain of NUS.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related field. They should have at least five years of relevant experience in crop production projects, with expertise in neglected/underutilized crops, climate-smart agriculture, seed systems, market development, and value chain economics. The ability to integrate NUS into climate-resilient food systems through policy advocacy and agronomic innovation is essential. Hands-on experience in designing and monitoring demonstration plots and applied climate-smart technology is also required.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Plant Science, or a related field is mandatory for this position. This educational background ensures that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address the complexities of crop production and sustainable agricultural practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in crop production projects. This experience should include demonstrated expertise in neglected and underutilized crops, climate-smart and sustainable agriculture, seed systems, market development, and value chain economics. The candidate should also have hands-on experience in designing and monitoring demonstration plots and applying climate-smart technologies.

Languages:
A working knowledge (Level C) of English and Bahasa Indonesia is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for the successful implementation of project activities. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Jakarta, Indonesia, and is likely to be a full-time role. The job may involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including government institutions, research organizations, and private sector partners. The FAO emphasizes the importance of gender equity and inclusivity in all project activities, particularly concerning the participation of women and youth farmers. Specific details regarding contract duration, compensation, and benefits have not been specified in the job advertisement.