Organizational Setting
FAO's Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing food, agriculture and rural development priorities in the subregion. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the Subregion. SLC houses the FAO Multi Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines).
The position is located in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, and is part of one or more regional technical teams.
Technical Focus
Agriculture production and crop protection are more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers. This focus entails complementary work inter alia on digital agriculture and technological innovation; nature-based solutions, crop diversity, and ecosystem approaches; reduction in waste and in input use; pesticide use and international standards; extension and technical advisory services.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications, and services.
Key Functions
Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.
Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
Specific Functions
Promotes agriculture production and crop protection that is more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers.
Promotes agriculture digitalization and technological innovation for sustainable crop production, crop diversification, and climate smart agriculture to improve people's nutrition, livelihoods and incomes in both rural and urban areas.
Promotes an ecosystem approach to crop production to develop agroecological knowledge and practices which enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, and contribute to climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience.
Improves timeliness and productivity of agricultural operations, and enables a shift from subsistence to more competitive, market-oriented farming through appropriate mechanization systems, improved technologies and seed-delivery systems and strengthened extension services.
Promotes precision agriculture to improve productivity and efficiency of production, particularly optimizing water efficiency, soil regeneration, nutrient and input use, and reducing waste at all stages of the production process.
Improves pesticide management and reduces reliance on pesticides by applying an integrated pest management approach.
Supports monitoring of transboundary plant pests and diseases and supports countries to mitigate their impact by setting up surveillance, early warning and effective pest control systems.
Facilitates the participation of countries in regional and international bodies and treaties dealing with plant genetic resources and developing international quality standards and technical guidelines to reduce the risks of pesticide use, leading to consumer and environmental protection.
Promotes good agricultural practices that incorporate global agronomic, environmental and decent work standards to facilitate access to and competitiveness in international markets.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in agriculture crop production, crop protection, plantย sciences or related field.
Seven years of relevant experience in technical and policy advice to promote agricultural production and crop protection that is more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (Intermediate proficiency โ level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).ย
Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building effective relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.
Extent and relevance of professional experience in one or more of the following fields related to sustainable agricultural production: plant production and protection, digital agriculture and technological innovation, precision agriculture suited to small-scale farmers, water use efficiency, pesticide management and regulations, climate smart agriculture.