International Expert - Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM)

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Position Title: International Expert - Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM)
Location: Remote Work
Country: Remote
Deadline Date:

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 works in over 130 countries worldwide, employing approximately 12,000 staff members. 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. FAO's mission is 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. In Iraq, FAO focuses on strengthening smallholder production and productivity, enhancing family farming capacity, and increasing resilience to climate change.

Job Overview:
The International Expert in Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) will play a crucial role in establishing, running, and monitoring the ICPM-FFS programs in targeted governorates in Iraq. This position requires a deep understanding of agricultural practices, particularly in the context of Integrated Crop and Pest Management and Farmer's Field Schools (FFS). The expert will be responsible for developing a comprehensive ICPM-FFS program, leading the design and implementation of FAO’s ICPM-FFS approach, and providing technical expertise to capacity building efforts. The role involves training extension workers, delivering field training to family farmers, and ensuring that the latest international practices are incorporated into the program. The expert will also coordinate with national and international partners, oversee junior FFS experts, and prepare reports and procurement plans related to the program.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the International Expert include:

• Developing a comprehensive Integrated Crop and Pest Management-FFS programme tailored to the needs of the targeted governorates in Iraq.
• Leading the design and implementation of FAO’s ICPM-FFS approach by training and employing qualified extension workers as Facilitators.
• Providing technical expertise to capacity building initiatives and delivering practical training to family farmers on agronomic practices, commercialization, value chains, resilience, and natural resources management.
• Overseeing the work of junior FFS experts in preparing training curricula and conducting Training of Facilitators (TOF) for the ICPM-FFS.
• Leading the implementation of project components focused on targeted crops and value chains.
• Coordinating with national and international partners, including government counterparts, to ensure effective program delivery.
• Developing and overseeing the implementation of capacity development programs through meetings, trainings, technical support, and mentoring.
• Ensuring that the latest international practices are reflected in the design and implementation of the FFS component.
• Preparing reports and briefings for donors and stakeholders. 1
• Preparing periodic procurement plans for FFS and demo plot inputs, including specifications. 1
• Performing other related duties as instructed.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• An advanced university degree in Economics, Agriculture, Natural Resources Management, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the fields of Economics, Agriculture, or Natural Resources Management.
• A working knowledge of English and Arabic is essential for effective communication and collaboration.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Agriculture, or Natural Resources Management. This advanced degree is crucial as it provides the theoretical foundation and specialized knowledge necessary for the role.

Experience:
Candidates should possess at least 10 years of relevant experience in the fields of Economics, Agriculture, or Natural Resources Management. This experience should include program/project formulation, analysis, planning, and implementation, particularly in complex multi-stakeholder environments. Familiarity with UN administrative, operational, and financial procedures is considered an asset.

Languages:
The mandatory languages for this position are English and Arabic. Proficiency in both languages is necessary to effectively communicate with stakeholders, partners, and team members. Additional language skills may be considered an advantage but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is remote, allowing for flexibility in work location. The role is expected to be full-time, and candidates may be recruited internationally. Compensation and benefits will be aligned with FAO's policies and standards, ensuring that the selected candidate is adequately supported in their role.