Accessible Greenhouse Design Expert
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description
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 eliminate hunger, ensure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to achieve food security for all and to ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. In Uzbekistan, FAO has been a long-standing partner supporting the Government's initiatives to advance inclusive rural development and disability-inclusive employment policies, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the labor market.
Job Overview:
The Accessible Greenhouse Design Expert will play a crucial role in the FAO's project titled 'Inclusive Employment through Accessible Greenhouses,' which aims to address the significant employment gap faced by persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan, particularly in rural areas. The project will pilot the SmartGreen Inclusion (SGI) model at six specialized educational institutions, converting greenhouse units into fully accessible facilities and training participants with disabilities. The Expert will be responsible for developing a validated accessible greenhouse design standard that adheres to universal design principles and is tailored to local conditions. This position requires a combination of expertise in accessible infrastructure design, controlled-environment agriculture, and disability-inclusive programming, which is currently lacking within the national team. The Expert will work closely with various stakeholders, including the National Agency for Social Protection and the Ministry of Agriculture, to ensure that the project objectives are met and that the design specifications are aligned with the needs of users with disabilities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will provide specialized technical leadership aligned with the project design and expected results. Specific tasks and responsibilities include conducting structured technical assessments at pilot institutions to document existing infrastructure constraints, developing technical specifications for accessible greenhouse units, coordinating multi-stakeholder reviews of draft specifications, providing technical quality assurance during the commissioning of pilot units, and developing a replication toolkit for NASP. The Expert will also provide guidance on the development of a disability-adapted training curriculum and participate in training-of-trainers workshops. Additionally, the Expert will prepare technical notes and mission reports, present findings at workshops, and contribute to project progress reports as requested.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agricultural engineering, horticulture, architecture, civil engineering, or a related field relevant to accessible greenhouse design and controlled-environment agriculture. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 8 years of relevant international professional experience in greenhouse design or controlled-environment agriculture is required, along with demonstrated experience in accessible or universal design for persons with disabilities. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory, and familiarity with Russian is considered an asset.
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. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Expert has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop accessible greenhouse designs that meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
Experience:
The role demands a minimum of 8 years of relevant international professional experience in greenhouse design or controlled-environment agriculture. This experience should include a strong focus on accessibility and universal design principles, particularly as they relate to persons with disabilities. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing technical design standards or specifications and familiarity with the CRPD and Article 27 on work and employment. Experience working with FAO or other UN agencies on technical cooperation projects is highly desirable.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, familiarity with Russian is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance collaboration within the project.
Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The contract duration is tied to the project timeline, which runs from June 2026 to December 202
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to eliminate hunger, ensure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, and promote sustainable management of natural resources. Established in 1945, FAO operates in over 130 countries and has a mission to achieve food security for all and to ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. In Uzbekistan, FAO has been a long-standing partner supporting the Government's initiatives to advance inclusive rural development and disability-inclusive employment policies, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the labor market.
Job Overview:
The Accessible Greenhouse Design Expert will play a crucial role in the FAO's project titled 'Inclusive Employment through Accessible Greenhouses,' which aims to address the significant employment gap faced by persons with disabilities in Uzbekistan, particularly in rural areas. The project will pilot the SmartGreen Inclusion (SGI) model at six specialized educational institutions, converting greenhouse units into fully accessible facilities and training participants with disabilities. The Expert will be responsible for developing a validated accessible greenhouse design standard that adheres to universal design principles and is tailored to local conditions. This position requires a combination of expertise in accessible infrastructure design, controlled-environment agriculture, and disability-inclusive programming, which is currently lacking within the national team. The Expert will work closely with various stakeholders, including the National Agency for Social Protection and the Ministry of Agriculture, to ensure that the project objectives are met and that the design specifications are aligned with the needs of users with disabilities.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will provide specialized technical leadership aligned with the project design and expected results. Specific tasks and responsibilities include conducting structured technical assessments at pilot institutions to document existing infrastructure constraints, developing technical specifications for accessible greenhouse units, coordinating multi-stakeholder reviews of draft specifications, providing technical quality assurance during the commissioning of pilot units, and developing a replication toolkit for NASP. The Expert will also provide guidance on the development of a disability-adapted training curriculum and participate in training-of-trainers workshops. Additionally, the Expert will prepare technical notes and mission reports, present findings at workshops, and contribute to project progress reports as requested.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agricultural engineering, horticulture, architecture, civil engineering, or a related field relevant to accessible greenhouse design and controlled-environment agriculture. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of 8 years of relevant international professional experience in greenhouse design or controlled-environment agriculture is required, along with demonstrated experience in accessible or universal design for persons with disabilities. A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory, and familiarity with Russian is considered an asset.
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. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to compensate for the lack of an advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the Expert has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop accessible greenhouse designs that meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
Experience:
The role demands a minimum of 8 years of relevant international professional experience in greenhouse design or controlled-environment agriculture. This experience should include a strong focus on accessibility and universal design principles, particularly as they relate to persons with disabilities. Candidates should have a proven track record of developing technical design standards or specifications and familiarity with the CRPD and Article 27 on work and employment. Experience working with FAO or other UN agencies on technical cooperation projects is highly desirable.
Languages:
A working knowledge of English at level C is mandatory for this position. Additionally, familiarity with Russian is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance collaboration within the project.
Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work arrangements. The contract duration is tied to the project timeline, which runs from June 2026 to December 202
- The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates will be assessed based on their qualifications, experience, and ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO standards and may vary based on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
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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.