National Agronomist

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is dedicated to achieving security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security for all and ensuring that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Established in 1945, FAO has grown to include 194 member countries, two associate members, and one member organization, the European Union. The organization operates in over 130 countries, working with governments and partners to improve agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and promote sustainable rural development. In Iraq, FAO's office focuses on enhancing food security and agricultural productivity, particularly in the context of climate change and rural development.

Job Overview:
The National Agronomist position is crucial for the successful implementation of the project "Adapting Rural Households in Southern Iraq to Water Scarcity Induced by Climate Change" (GCP/IRQ/073/CAN), funded by Global Affairs Canada. This role involves planning, implementing, and monitoring Farmer Field School (FFS) activities across three southern governorates of Iraq: Babil, Al Najaf, and Diwaniyah. The National Agronomist will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries and local governments, to ensure that project activities align with national priorities. The position requires a strong focus on building the resilience of vulnerable rural households, particularly women, to climate change risks through capacity building in climate-smart agricultural practices. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing technical support, developing action plans for sustainability, and ensuring the effective implementation of FFS activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The National Agronomist will have a wide range of responsibilities, including: providing technical support to Farmer Field Schools (FFS) through field visits and backstopping facilitators; assisting in the development of FFS plans that incorporate climate-smart practices; devising action plans for sustainability and expansion of FFS; linking FFS farmers with agricultural services; identifying top-performing facilitators and farmers for capacity building; ensuring timely collection and submission of baseline data; analyzing FFS outcomes; establishing FFS curricula; ensuring proper implementation of FFS activities; developing linkages with agricultural input suppliers; assessing current cropping practices; identifying climate-smart packages; conducting training needs assessments; supporting the installation of micro-irrigation systems; and identifying context-specific educational materials for FFS.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in agriculture (Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Crop Science, Farm Management, or related fields). They should have at least 5 years of experience in integrated agriculture and rural development projects, particularly focusing on smallholder farming systems and FFS implementation and monitoring. A working knowledge of English is essential, and candidates must be nationals of Iraq.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree in agriculture or related technical disciplines. This educational qualification should be obtained from an institution accredited or recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in integrated agriculture and rural development projects. Candidates should have a strong background in smallholder farming systems and experience in the implementation and monitoring of Farmer Field Schools (FFS).

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in Arabic is also required, as effective communication with local stakeholders is essential for the role.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or processing. 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 working in a challenging environment, and candidates should be prepared for this. The FAO emphasizes the importance of higher educational qualifications obtained from recognized institutions, and candidates are encouraged to refer to the WHED for verification. For additional employment opportunities, candidates can visit the FAO employment website.