Field Support Agronomist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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 195 Members, including 194 countries and the European Union, FAO operates in over 130 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on transforming agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable, contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and support to countries, ensuring effective operations aligned with international standards of accountability and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Job Overview:
The Field Support Agronomist position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya and is classified at the SC7 grade level. The role involves providing technical support to partners, county governments, and farmers (both refugees and host communities) in areas such as crop production, climate-smart agriculture, and irrigation water management. The agronomist will work closely with the National Project Lead of the Building Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities Self-Reliance Project, ensuring that agricultural practices are sustainable and effective in the context of the Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement and Turkana West Sub-County. The position requires a proactive approach to training and mentoring local stakeholders, facilitating partnerships, and supporting the development of viable agricultural business models.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Field Support Agronomist will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including: providing technical support to farmers and partners on managing shade-net and open-field crop production; training and mentoring Community-Based Extension Service Providers (CBESPs) and farm management committees; facilitating linkages between producers and agro-dealers; supporting the development of business models for agro-dealers; assisting in regreening and land rehabilitation initiatives; establishing demonstration sites; advising on water infrastructure management; promoting agricultural mechanization; implementing monitoring and evaluation of field activities; and performing other duties as assigned by the FAO representative.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, Horticulture, or a related field. They should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in irrigation agronomy, dryland agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and crop production, with proven skills in shade-net and open-field farming, agroecology, and integrated pest management. Additionally, candidates must be nationals of Kenya and have a working knowledge of English and Kiswahili.

Educational Background:
A university degree in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop Science, or Horticulture is required for this position. The educational qualifications must be obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in the agricultural sector, specifically in areas such as irrigation agronomy, climate-smart agriculture, and crop production. Experience working in harsh environments and among diverse cultures is also essential, as is familiarity with rural development and participatory methodologies.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English and Kiswahili is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position may involve working in challenging environments, and candidates should be prepared for this aspect of the role. For further employment opportunities, candidates are encouraged to visit the FAO employment website.