Coconut Pest and Disease Expert
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (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. With over 194 member countries, FAO works in more than 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The organization collaborates with various partners, including governments, NGOs, and private sector entities, to implement projects that address nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security, agricultural development, and rural livelihoods.
Job Overview:
The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will play a crucial role in the FAO project TCP/TUV/4101, which focuses on enhancing agricultural resilience through effective pest and disease management in coconut cultivation and climate-smart livestock development in Tuvalu. The expert will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive diagnostic and geospatial assessment of coconut pests and diseases across the islands of Tuvalu. This position requires collaboration with local ministries, stakeholders, and the SPC to develop a National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy. The expert will oversee field assessments, coordinate laboratory diagnostics, and facilitate capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the skills of local agricultural officers and communities in managing coconut health. The role demands a strong understanding of coconut agronomy, pest and disease management, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting an inception meeting with the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and relevant stakeholders to confirm the assignment scope and workplan; reviewing background documents and previous findings to establish a baseline for pest and disease management; overseeing the development of a coconut pest and disease survey protocol; coordinating training for agriculture and biosecurity officers; leading field assessments to document the incidence and distribution of coconut pests; coordinating with SPC for laboratory diagnostics and report preparation; facilitating technical consultations to validate findings; developing the National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy; preparing technical guidance materials; presenting draft reports to the Department of Agriculture; and managing the closure of agreements with partners. The expert will also be responsible for ensuring that all activities align with the project's objectives and contribute to sustainable coconut management practices in Tuvalu.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, crop protection, entomology, plant health, or a closely related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of professional experience in coconut agronomy, pest and disease diagnosis, and management is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical knowledge of coconut production systems and integrated pest management, as well as experience in designing and implementing pest and disease surveys. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge of English at level C and possess strong facilitation and stakeholder consultation skills.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a relevant field such as agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, or related disciplines. For those with a bachelor's degree, a minimum of two additional years of relevant professional experience is necessary to qualify for the role. This educational background ensures that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively address the challenges associated with coconut pest and disease management.
Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as coconut agronomy, pest and disease diagnosis, plant health surveillance, and integrated pest management. This experience should include practical involvement in agricultural development work, particularly in the context of coconut production systems. The ability to design and implement field surveys, coordinate laboratory diagnostics, and interpret results in conjunction with field observations is essential. Experience working with governments, regional organizations, and local communities in small island or Pacific contexts will be highly regarded.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be considered an advantage, as it can facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts.
Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to be full-time, with a focus on delivering high-quality outputs within agreed timeframes. The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will be engaged in a project that emphasizes collaboration with local ministries and stakeholders, and the successful candidate will be expected to manage relationships effectively to ensure project objectives are met. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards, and the position may involve international recruitment to attract the best candidates for this critical role.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (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. With over 194 member countries, FAO works in more than 130 countries worldwide, employing thousands of staff dedicated to improving agricultural productivity, enhancing food security, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The organization collaborates with various partners, including governments, NGOs, and private sector entities, to implement projects that address nutrition" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food and nutrition security, agricultural development, and rural livelihoods.
Job Overview:
The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will play a crucial role in the FAO project TCP/TUV/4101, which focuses on enhancing agricultural resilience through effective pest and disease management in coconut cultivation and climate-smart livestock development in Tuvalu. The expert will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive diagnostic and geospatial assessment of coconut pests and diseases across the islands of Tuvalu. This position requires collaboration with local ministries, stakeholders, and the SPC to develop a National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy. The expert will oversee field assessments, coordinate laboratory diagnostics, and facilitate capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the skills of local agricultural officers and communities in managing coconut health. The role demands a strong understanding of coconut agronomy, pest and disease management, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will have a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to: conducting an inception meeting with the Tuvalu Department of Agriculture and relevant stakeholders to confirm the assignment scope and workplan; reviewing background documents and previous findings to establish a baseline for pest and disease management; overseeing the development of a coconut pest and disease survey protocol; coordinating training for agriculture and biosecurity officers; leading field assessments to document the incidence and distribution of coconut pests; coordinating with SPC for laboratory diagnostics and report preparation; facilitating technical consultations to validate findings; developing the National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy; preparing technical guidance materials; presenting draft reports to the Department of Agriculture; and managing the closure of agreements with partners. The expert will also be responsible for ensuring that all activities align with the project's objectives and contribute to sustainable coconut management practices in Tuvalu.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, crop protection, entomology, plant health, or a closely related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of five years of professional experience in coconut agronomy, pest and disease diagnosis, and management is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical knowledge of coconut production systems and integrated pest management, as well as experience in designing and implementing pest and disease surveys. Additionally, candidates must have a working knowledge of English at level C and possess strong facilitation and stakeholder consultation skills.
Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in a relevant field such as agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, or related disciplines. For those with a bachelor's degree, a minimum of two additional years of relevant professional experience is necessary to qualify for the role. This educational background ensures that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively address the challenges associated with coconut pest and disease management.
Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant professional experience in areas such as coconut agronomy, pest and disease diagnosis, plant health surveillance, and integrated pest management. This experience should include practical involvement in agricultural development work, particularly in the context of coconut production systems. The ability to design and implement field surveys, coordinate laboratory diagnostics, and interpret results in conjunction with field observations is essential. Experience working with governments, regional organizations, and local communities in small island or Pacific contexts will be highly regarded.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the Pacific region may be considered an advantage, as it can facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of capacity-building efforts.
Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to be full-time, with a focus on delivering high-quality outputs within agreed timeframes. The Coconut Pest and Disease Expert will be engaged in a project that emphasizes collaboration with local ministries and stakeholders, and the successful candidate will be expected to manage relationships effectively to ensure project objectives are met. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards, and the position may involve international recruitment to attract the best candidates for this critical role.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.