Food and Agriculture Organization Specialist

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Food and Agriculture Organization Specialist
Location: Assiut, Sohag, Qena
Country: Egypt
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Established in 1945, FAO's mission is 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 encompasses a wide range of areas including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development, with a strong focus on sustainable practices and the promotion of food security and nutrition.

Job Overview:
The position of FAO Specialist is integral to the implementation of a rural development project targeting smallholder farmers in selected villages of Assiut, Sohag, and Qena Governorates in Egypt. The role involves supporting the development of Farmer Field School (FFS) approaches and community-based learning in food and agriculture, aligning with FAO's Strategic Framework. The selected candidate will work closely with various stakeholders, including government counterparts, to enhance agricultural practices and improve food security and income generation for small-scale producers. The position requires a proactive approach to training and capacity building, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the FAO Specialist include reviewing and familiarizing oneself with FAO's methodology for mobilizing, implementing, and monitoring FFSs. The specialist will support the identification of village-level FFS facilitator candidates and assist in selecting climate-smart crop and livestock production practices to be tested by FFS participants. The role also involves coordinating training sessions for FFS facilitators, overseeing the mobilization of smallholder farmers, and monitoring the performance of FFS participants. Additionally, the specialist will evaluate the impact of FFSs on the adoption of practices and maintain a governorate-level database of established FFSs. The position requires undertaking duty travel and preparing end-of-assignment reports for project management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agriculture economics, agribusiness development, social sciences, agricultural sciences, agricultural statistics, economics, or related fields. A minimum of 5 years of experience in similar functions, particularly in designing, implementing, and reporting on socio-economic activities, is required. Candidates must also have a working knowledge of English and be nationals of Egypt. 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 an advanced university degree in relevant fields such as agriculture economics, agribusiness development, social sciences, agricultural sciences, agricultural statistics, economics, or statistics. Candidates must have their qualifications recognized by institutions accredited in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires at least 5 years of relevant experience in similar roles, particularly in designing and implementing socio-economic activities. Experience working in multiple locations or areas of work is highly valued, as is familiarity with climate-smart agricultural practices and community-based learning approaches.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Arabic is also essential, given the local context and the need to communicate effectively with stakeholders and community members.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must be medically fit for appointment and meet any residency or visa requirements. The position may involve travel to various locations within the targeted governorates, and the appointment is subject to security clearances. For additional employment opportunities, candidates are encouraged to visit the FAO employment website.