Consultant/PSA in Plant Nutrition

Job Posting Organization:
The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is dedicated to supporting countries in transitioning to sustainable crop production systems. Established to address global security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security challenges, the division focuses on optimizing agricultural productivity while minimizing environmental impacts. The organization operates in numerous countries worldwide, working collaboratively with governments, NGOs, and other stakeholders to eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources. The NSPED team, which the position is part of, emphasizes agroecological practices and the capacity building of smallholder farmers to enhance sustainability and resilience in cropping systems.

Job Overview:
The position of Consultant/PSA in Plant Nutrition is integral to the Ecosystem Approach to Sustainable Crop Production Intensification Team (NSPED) within the Plant Production and Protection Division of FAO. The role focuses on integrated soil nutrient practices, particularly the use of biostimulants and biofertilizers, to enhance plant nutrition in sustainable cropping systems. The incumbent will collaborate with a team of specialists in sustainable agriculture, plant nutrition, and ecosystem services to contribute to a comprehensive program aimed at promoting sustainable crop production systems. This includes developing guidelines, strategies, and educational materials to facilitate the adoption of innovative practices among farmers and stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will undertake a variety of tasks, including reviewing existing literature and guidelines related to plant biostimulants and biofertilizers, outlining the structure for international guidelines, and preparing drafts for review. They will support the organization of Task Force meetings and multi-stakeholder dialogues to validate guidelines, and update final drafts for internal approval. Additionally, the role involves developing strategies for promoting the implementation of these guidelines, creating educational materials, and organizing capacity-building programs. The incumbent will also contribute to project proposals aimed at sustainable fertilizer management, develop technical documents, and provide oversight for procurement and quality assurance of plant nutrition inputs. Furthermore, they will organize webinars and seminars on relevant themes and undertake technical missions to support the implementation of activities related to biostimulants and biofertilizers.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, biological science, soil science, soil microbiology, Agricultural Biotechnology, or a related field focused on plant nutrition. For those with a bachelor's degree, an additional two years of relevant professional experience is required. A minimum of five years of relevant experience in fertilizers, biofertilizers, and biostimulants is essential, along with a strong understanding of current research, technologies, regulatory frameworks, and policy advocacy in this field. Proficiency in English is mandatory, with knowledge of additional languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian being advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in relevant fields such as agricultural sciences, biological science, soil science, soil microbiology, or Agricultural Biotechnology. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of plant nutrition and sustainable agricultural practices.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the field of fertilizers, biofertilizers, and biostimulants. This experience should encompass current research, technologies, and regulatory frameworks, as well as policy advocacy related to sustainable agricultural practices. The ability to work in diverse environments and engage with various stakeholders is also essential, as is experience in creating and delivering training programs.

Languages:
Full proficiency in English is required, and candidates should also have working knowledge of additional UN official languages such as French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian. Knowledge of a second UN official language is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's profile.

Additional Notes:
The position may involve a contract duration that is not specified in the provided information. It is important to note that the role may be classified at a seniority level appropriate for experienced professionals in the field. The position is likely to be full-time, and candidates may be recruited nationally or internationally, depending on the organization's needs. Compensation and benefits details are not provided but are typically aligned with FAO's standards for similar positions.