Crop Production and Irrigation Team Leader

Job Posting Organization:
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) was established in 1945 and is dedicated to defeating hunger and improving nutrition and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security. With a mission to promote sustainable agricultural practices and ensure food security for all, FAO operates in over 130 countries, employing thousands of professionals who work collaboratively with governments and other stakeholders to implement agricultural policies and programs. The organization focuses on enhancing agricultural productivity, improving rural livelihoods, and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources. FAO Ethiopia specifically collaborates with the Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant institutions to address food security challenges and promote sustainable agricultural practices.

Job Overview:
The Crop Production and Irrigation Team Leader will play a crucial role in the FAO Ethiopia country office, providing technical advice and leadership in the development and implementation of the Country Programme Framework (CPF) related to crop production and irrigation. This position requires a deep understanding of the agricultural landscape in Ethiopia, including the challenges faced in crop production and irrigation management. The incumbent will be responsible for identifying bottlenecks in these areas and proposing innovative solutions to enhance agricultural productivity. The role also involves coordinating with various stakeholders, including government entities and private sector partners, to ensure that interventions are aligned with national food security targets and sustainable agricultural practices. The Team Leader will also document success stories and lessons learned to share best practices within the agricultural community.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including: providing overall leadership and guidance to crop production, irrigation management, and agricultural extension interventions; coordinating the identification and documentation of challenges in crop production and irrigation management; overseeing the formulation of innovative project proposals; providing technical support to government and private sector entities; coordinating FAO's technical support for data collection and performance monitoring; supporting policy reviews to improve the operating environment for farmers; leading gender mainstreaming efforts in project formulation; identifying relevant research and development topics; participating in the preparation and review of work plans; and performing any other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must be nationals of Ethiopia and possess an advanced university degree in Agriculture or related fields. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in crop production program management is required. Candidates should also have a working knowledge of English and Amharic, the duty station language. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate core competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in Agriculture or a related field is required for this position. This educational background should provide a strong foundation in agricultural sciences, crop production techniques, and irrigation management.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in managing crop production programs. This experience should include working in various locations or areas of work, demonstrating a breadth of knowledge and expertise in crop production and irrigation management. Familiarity with Ethiopia's agrifood systems transformation program is also beneficial.

Languages:
A working knowledge of English is mandatory, along with a working knowledge of Amharic, which is essential for effective communication in the duty station. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not required.

Additional Notes:
FAO does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Candidates must have their higher educational qualifications recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to medical fitness certification, accreditation, residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. This position is likely to be full-time, and candidates should be prepared to engage in a collaborative work environment with various stakeholders.