Digital Agriculture Specialist (Technical Project Management)
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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 Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programs and collaborates with various departments and divisions at Headquarters to develop and oversee FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. In 2020, FAO REU established a specialized team for Digital Agriculture to catalyze the digital transformation of agriculture across Europe and Central Asia, providing critical capabilities to country offices and technical units. The team was recognized as FAO Team of the Year in 2023 for its contributions to digital agriculture initiatives.
Job Overview:
The Digital Agriculture Specialist (Technical Project Management) will play a crucial role in implementing FAO’s Strategic Framework, particularly in the area of Digital Agriculture. The incumbent will provide analytical and technical support for conducting research, assessments, and formulating strategies and programs aimed at the digitalization of food and agriculture. This position requires a strong focus on project management, where the specialist will oversee the technical coordination of digital agriculture projects, ensuring they are delivered within scope, timeline, and budget. The role also involves supporting the development of e-government systems for the agrifood sector and contributing to the implementation of initiatives like the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI). The specialist will stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in digital agriculture, ensuring that FAO's strategies are aligned with current trends and innovations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Digital Agriculture Specialist include providing technical support by developing analytical frameworks and methodologies for situational analyses, conducting assessments of the digitalization of the agrifood sector, and drafting analytical reports and policy recommendations. The specialist will also contribute to the development and revision of key programmatic documents, support the implementation of the Digital Villages Initiative, and assist countries in designing e-government systems. In terms of project management, the specialist will coordinate assigned digital agriculture projects, monitor project operations, provide technical input to consultants and partners, and prepare project progress and donor reports. Additionally, the role involves liaising with government counterparts, supporting resource mobilization efforts, developing knowledge products, and organizing regional and national events.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Agricultural Science, Economics, International Development, Public Administration, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in project management, digital transformation of the agrifood sector, or related fields is required. Candidates should also demonstrate familiarity with emerging technologies in digital agriculture and possess strong analytical and research skills.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Agricultural Science, Economics, International Development, or Public Administration. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of digital agriculture and the agrifood sector.
Experience:
The position requires at least three years of relevant experience in project management, particularly in the context of digital transformation within the agrifood sector or agriculture and rural development projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing development projects, including work planning, budget monitoring, and stakeholder coordination. Experience in digital agriculture and familiarity with emerging technologies is also crucial for success in this role.
Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (Level C) of English and Russian. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's work. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.
Additional Notes:
This position offers a consultancy contract for 11 months, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance. A mandatory break from duty of at least 30 consecutive days is required within any twelve-month period, after which the contract may be renewed depending on performance and availability of funds. The preferred duty station for this role is Budapest, Hungary, but home-based candidates in suitable time zones may also be considered. This role is full-time and involves international collaboration.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is a specialized agency that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO has over 194 member countries and works in more than 130 countries worldwide. The organization aims 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 Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture, and rural development. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programs and collaborates with various departments and divisions at Headquarters to develop and oversee FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. In 2020, FAO REU established a specialized team for Digital Agriculture to catalyze the digital transformation of agriculture across Europe and Central Asia, providing critical capabilities to country offices and technical units. The team was recognized as FAO Team of the Year in 2023 for its contributions to digital agriculture initiatives.
Job Overview:
The Digital Agriculture Specialist (Technical Project Management) will play a crucial role in implementing FAO’s Strategic Framework, particularly in the area of Digital Agriculture. The incumbent will provide analytical and technical support for conducting research, assessments, and formulating strategies and programs aimed at the digitalization of food and agriculture. This position requires a strong focus on project management, where the specialist will oversee the technical coordination of digital agriculture projects, ensuring they are delivered within scope, timeline, and budget. The role also involves supporting the development of e-government systems for the agrifood sector and contributing to the implementation of initiatives like the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI). The specialist will stay updated on emerging technologies and best practices in digital agriculture, ensuring that FAO's strategies are aligned with current trends and innovations.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Digital Agriculture Specialist include providing technical support by developing analytical frameworks and methodologies for situational analyses, conducting assessments of the digitalization of the agrifood sector, and drafting analytical reports and policy recommendations. The specialist will also contribute to the development and revision of key programmatic documents, support the implementation of the Digital Villages Initiative, and assist countries in designing e-government systems. In terms of project management, the specialist will coordinate assigned digital agriculture projects, monitor project operations, provide technical input to consultants and partners, and prepare project progress and donor reports. Additionally, the role involves liaising with government counterparts, supporting resource mobilization efforts, developing knowledge products, and organizing regional and national events.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Agricultural Science, Economics, International Development, Public Administration, or a related field. Those with a bachelor's degree must have two additional years of relevant professional experience. A minimum of three years of relevant experience in project management, digital transformation of the agrifood sector, or related fields is required. Candidates should also demonstrate familiarity with emerging technologies in digital agriculture and possess strong analytical and research skills.
Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as Agricultural Sciences, Digital Transformation, Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, Agricultural Science, Economics, International Development, or Public Administration. Candidates with a bachelor's degree must have additional professional experience to qualify. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of digital agriculture and the agrifood sector.
Experience:
The position requires at least three years of relevant experience in project management, particularly in the context of digital transformation within the agrifood sector or agriculture and rural development projects. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing development projects, including work planning, budget monitoring, and stakeholder coordination. Experience in digital agriculture and familiarity with emerging technologies is also crucial for success in this role.
Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge (Level C) of English and Russian. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration within the international context of FAO's work. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not mandatory.
Additional Notes:
This position offers a consultancy contract for 11 months, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance. A mandatory break from duty of at least 30 consecutive days is required within any twelve-month period, after which the contract may be renewed depending on performance and availability of funds. The preferred duty station for this role is Budapest, Hungary, but home-based candidates in suitable time zones may also be considered. This role is full-time and involves international collaboration.
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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.