National Agriculture Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission 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. The organization operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. FAO's work is guided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly the goal of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Job Overview:
The National Agriculture Specialist will play a crucial role in the implementation of a Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP/MIC/4001) project aimed at strengthening climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive school garden systems in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM). This position is vital for improving food security and nutrition outcomes among school-aged children while enhancing agricultural skills. The specialist will be responsible for ensuring the timely and quality delivery of project outputs, which include establishing and managing school gardens, promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, and developing agricultural capacity among students, teachers, and parents. The role requires close collaboration with various stakeholders, including government counterparts and local communities, to foster effective project implementation and achieve desired outcomes.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Agriculture Specialist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Ensuring that project activities are implemented on time and in accordance with the approved workplan and FAO standards.
• Organizing and facilitating inception meetings with national and local stakeholders to kickstart project activities.
• Establishing coordination mechanisms to ensure effective project implementation across various levels.
• Leading the development, administration, and analysis of baseline surveys to assess initial conditions.
• Overseeing the identification and confirmation of pilot schools for the project.
• Coordinating site preparation, garden design, nursery establishment, and compost production to set up school gardens.
• Managing the procurement of project inputs in compliance with FAO procedures.
• Supervising crop establishment, field management, and harvesting activities to ensure successful agricultural practices.
• Coordinating the provision of produce and logistical support for cooking demonstrations and nutrition education activities. 1
• Developing training materials and delivering capacity-building sessions on various agricultural topics, including nursery management, compost production, agronomy, and post-harvest handling. 1
• Coordinating three cropping cycles across five selected crops to ensure diverse agricultural output. 1
• Contributing to impact surveys and supporting behavior change monitoring activities related to school gardening and local food production practices. 1
• Documenting success stories, lessons learned, and good practices to share with stakeholders. 1
• Ensuring timely delivery of project reports to FAO, including monthly progress reports and a comprehensive final project report. 1
• Responding to ad-hoc questions and performing other duties as required to support project objectives.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• A University Degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Community Development, or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant experience in agriculture, agricultural extension, crop production, school gardens, community-based agriculture, or agricultural project implementation.
• A working knowledge (level C) of English is essential.
• Candidates must be nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a University Degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, or Community Development. The degree must be from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU) or UNESCO, ensuring that the educational qualifications are valid and recognized internationally.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of relevant experience in fields related to agriculture, agricultural extension, crop production, school gardens, community-based agriculture, or agricultural project implementation. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in managing agricultural projects and working with various stakeholders, particularly in the context of school gardening and community engagement.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English (level C) is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the communities involved in the project.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. It is important to note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, as well as meeting any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.