Crop Production and Protection Specialist (Horticulture)

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture.
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) was established in 1996 and is based in Barbados. It is headed by a Sub-
Regional Representative/Coordinator and is staffed by a Multidisciplinary Team that supports 13 member countries including Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, The Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago. Moreover, FAO Representations are present in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname, Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas.

SLC provide technical support to programs and projects for the Caribbean countries in crop production and protection developing project proposals with a value chain approach in the context of small-scale farmers in rural, peri-urban and urban areas. FAO promotes sustainable and adapted systems to improve livelihoods for people in the Caribbean region through developing training materials and/or publications for practitioners and policy makers on sustainable crop production systems focused on horticulture crops; developing and support farmer field schools guidelines for horticultural crops; assisting and supporting emergency programs and disaster risk reduction and management in countries in crisis due to extreme climate events with implications on food security; promoting adapted technologies and practices to improve productivity, income and employment generation; adoption of sustainable cropping systems including protected agriculture, greenhouses, net-houses and soilless culture; and supporting innovations as well as the integrated crop management as the best approach to increase climate change resilience, productivity and increase the efficiency in the use of natural resources (including climate smart practices) taking in consideration the soil management, water management, plant nutrition, pest and diseases management and crop cultural practices.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO Subregional Office for the Caribbean (FAO-SLC), the direct supervision of the Horticulture Crop Specialist (Production and Protection) reports to the Plant Production and Protection Officer who is based in the FAO sub-regional office in Barbados.

Technical Focus

Provide technical support to the timely and efficient implementation projects activities in accordance with FAO rules and procedures focussing in horticulture crop production and protection across the Caribbean to increase capacities to sustainable manage crops and cropping systems with adapted, affordable and efficient practices and innovative technologies to achieve income generation, better nutrition and food security in the region.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical support for projects and initiatives across the region related to plant production and protection with focus on one or more of the following areas: Plant genetic management, soil management, water/irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management, plant nutrition, cultural practices, protected cultivation, soilless systems, digital agriculture, mechanization, post-harvest management and extension services;
• Carry out assessments on current horticultural cropping systems and provide recommendations on adapted and innovative practices and technologies to improve productivity;
• Develop and review technical materials related to different areas of horticultural crop production and protection and deliver training to increase capacities of agronomy and extension staff of SLC countries;
• Assist Lead Technical Officer in project implementation through establishing demonstration of selected, adapted and innovative practices and technologies to increase horticultural crop productivity in collaboration with national project coordinators;
• Develop and review technical specifications of adapted plant genetic materials, agricultural inputs and equipment required for the implementation of projects in line with existing rules and regulations, transparency, accountability, fairness and best value for money;
• Provide technical knowledge supporting the development and implementation of digital solutions in agriculture to increase efficiency and precision;
• Any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• A university degree in agriculture, agronomy, crop production, crop protection or related field
• At least five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Plant genetic management, soil management, water/irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management, plant nutrition, cultural practices, protected cultivation, soilless systems, digital agriculture, mechanization, post-harvest management and extension services
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish for Consultants; Working knowledge of English for PSA Subscribers.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• General knowledge and skills in the use of standard office software, such as MS Office (Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and take leadership when appropriate
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work is an asset
• Fluency in both written and spoken English (analytical and writing skills)
• Knowledge and familiarity with the agriculture sector in the English-speaking Caribbean is an asset
• Ability to produce high quality technical documents

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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