National Agriculture Expert

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. The Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) is part of FAO and focuses on developing and implementing strategies to transform food and agriculture systems in the Pacific region, ensuring that no one is left behind in the process.

Job Overview:
The National Agriculture Expert 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 essential for improving food security, nutrition outcomes, and agricultural skills among school-aged children. The expert will work under the supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and will coordinate closely with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, school stakeholders, and parents. The primary focus will be on establishing and supervising school gardens, promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices, and enhancing the capacity of students, teachers, and parents through education and awareness initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Agriculture Expert will be responsible for ensuring that project activities are implemented in a timely manner and in accordance with the approved workplan and FAO standards. Key responsibilities include organizing and facilitating inception meetings with national and local stakeholders, establishing coordination mechanisms for effective project implementation, leading the development and administration of baseline surveys, overseeing the identification and confirmation of pilot schools, coordinating site preparation and garden design, managing procurement of project inputs, supervising crop establishment and harvesting activities, organizing cooking demonstrations and nutrition education activities, developing training materials, and delivering capacity-building sessions on various agricultural practices. The expert will also coordinate cropping cycles, lead impact surveys, document success stories, and ensure timely delivery of project reports to FAO.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a University Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Rural Development, or a related field from a recognized institution. Additionally, a minimum of five years of relevant experience in agricultural project implementation, climate-resilient agriculture, or community-based agricultural programs is required. A working knowledge of English is mandatory, and candidates must be nationals of the Federated States of Micronesia. FAO core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing are essential for this role.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a University Degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Rural Development, or a related field. It is important that the degree is obtained from an institution that is accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of relevant experience in agricultural project implementation, particularly in areas related to climate-resilient agriculture and community-based agricultural programs. Experience working in the Federated States of Micronesia, including familiarity with national and state-level institutions and local agricultural contexts, is highly desirable. Candidates should also have demonstrated experience in training delivery and capacity development, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the local context may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
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. Candidates should be aware that the appointment will be subject to certification of medical fitness, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.