Agronomist and Extension Specialist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is an agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. Established in 1945, FAO has a mission to help eliminate hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition; make agriculture, forestry, and fisheries more productive and sustainable; reduce rural poverty; and enable inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a workforce of more than 12,000 employees. In Ukraine, FAO has scaled up its presence with five offices located in major cities including Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Dnipro, focusing on enhancing national capacities and supporting the agricultural sector amidst ongoing conflict.

Job Overview:
The Agronomist and Extension Specialist position is crucial for the planning, implementation, and supervision of agricultural extension activities specifically in the Mykolaiv oblast. The role requires close collaboration with smallholder farmers, agribusinesses, local authorities, and community leaders to effectively disseminate Good Agricultural Practices, Climate-Smart Agriculture, and Integrated Pest Management techniques. The incumbent will be responsible for direct field supervision of demonstration plots, providing technical advisory support, and coordinating outreach efforts to farmers through both in-person and digital means. This position is home-based, allowing for flexibility while ensuring that the incumbent can effectively engage with the local agricultural community and respond to the urgent needs arising from the conflict-affected areas.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Agronomist and Extension Specialist include supporting the planning and implementation of activities aimed at disseminating information to smallholder farmers and agribusinesses. This involves utilizing various resources for interaction, such as digital media, mass campaigns, and individual technical support. The specialist will also conduct training sessions for farmers, develop training materials, and provide technical assistance on Good Agricultural Practices, Climate-Smart Agriculture, and Conservation Agriculture. Field supervision of agronomic demonstration plots is a key responsibility, ensuring that best practices are implemented effectively. The role also includes gathering weather-related data, technical activity reports, and cost-related information from demo farmers, participating in the development of annual work plans, and ensuring high participation of women in agricultural activities. The specialist will collaborate with monitoring and evaluation teams, contribute to donor reporting, and support procurement processes, maintaining good communication with team members throughout.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Agriculture, Agronomy, Rural Development, or a related field relevant to agricultural extension and field-based program implementation. A minimum of five years of professional experience in agricultural extension, agronomy, or rural development is required, with demonstrated involvement in field-level technical support, farmer training, or demonstration plot supervision. Candidates should have intermediate knowledge of English (Level B) and working knowledge of Russian and Ukrainian (Level C). Additionally, candidates must be nationals of Ukraine or residents with a valid work permit.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Agronomy, or Rural Development. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of agricultural practices and the implementation of effective extension services in the field.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of professional experience in agricultural extension, agronomy, or rural development. Candidates should have a proven track record of providing field-level technical support, conducting farmer training sessions, and supervising demonstration plots. Experience working in rural or conflict-affected contexts is particularly valuable, as it demonstrates the ability to navigate the challenges present in such environments.

Languages:
Mandatory languages for this position include intermediate English (Level B) and working knowledge of Russian and Ukrainian (Level C). Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with local farmers, stakeholders, and team members. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is home-based, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The role is full-time and involves collaboration with various teams within FAO, including Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning personnel. The Agronomist and Extension Specialist will be expected to maintain good communication with team members and respond promptly to requests. The position may involve travel within the Mykolaiv oblast for field visits and training sessions.