Organizational Setting
FAO's work in Iraq is focused on three medium-term priority areas for technical support: strengthening smallholder production and productivity to improve food security and nutrition; enabling farmers to apply improved production techniques including Integrated Crop and Pest Management through Farmerโs Field Schools; enhancing family farming capacity for commercialization and value chain approach, strengthening sustainable management of natural resources; increasing resilience of rural livelihoods to climatic shock and climate change, through the development and application of an integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan.
In the context of the activities implemented with Farmerโs Field Schools (FFS), the FAO experience in Iraq started in 2019. The project positive impact led the FFS approach to be recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) as the preferred capacity building methodology for family farmers. FAO is currently the agency of reference in agriculture and rural development and FFS recognized by public institutions, development partners and civil society organizations.
The FFS approach has been scaled up under the ongoing programme defining FFS in the context of specific location and commodities, incorporating vegetable, horticultural, field crops and livestock related issues (in green house, agri-food processing, pastures management, animal health, water managements etc., through the value chain approach) as a key resilience-enabling factor for communities
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAOR of Iraq, in coordination with the Deputy Representative and the Lead Technical Officers in the Regional Office of the Near East Cairo and working closely with FAO-Iraq team inside the country, the international expert will be responsible for establishing, running and monitoring the Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) -FFS programmes in targeted governorates in Iraqย
Technical Focus
ICPM,FFS, capacity building, coordination and management.ย
Tasks and responsibilities
โข ย ย Develop a comprehensive Integrated Crop and Pest Management-FFS programme;ย
โข ย ย Lead the design and implementation of FAOโs ICPM-FFS approach in Iraq โ by training and employing qualified extension workers as Facilitators.
โข ย ย Provide technical expertise to the capacity building and practically deliver technical and field training process (incl. FFS) of family farmers on areas related with agronomic practices, commercialization, value chain, resilience, natural resources management, Integrated Crop and Pest Management among others.
โข ย ย Oversee the work of ย junior FFS experts in preparing the FFS training curricula and conducting the crops Integrated Crop and Pest Management -FFS Training of Facilitators (TOF).
โข ย ย Lead the implementation of the project component on the targeted crops/value chain;ย
โข ย ย Coordinate with national and international partners, including government counterparts;ย
โข ย ย Develop and oversee implementation of the capacity development program through context specific meetings, trainings, technical support and mentoring.
โข ย ย Ensure that latest and best international practices and approaches are reflected in the design and planning, and implementation of the FFS component of different targeted crops/value chains.
โข ย ย Prepare FFS reports and briefings to donors.ย
โข ย ย Prepare the periodic projects procurement plan of FFS and demo plots inputs including specifications. Perform other related duties and activities upon instructions.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Advanced university degree in Economics, Agriculture, Natural Resources Management and or related field.
โข ย ย 10 years of relevant experience.
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
FAO Core Competencies
โข ย ย Results Focus
โข ย ย Teamwork
โข ย ย Communication
โข ย ย Building Effective Relationships
โข ย ย Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skillsย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation
โข ย ย Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in supporting, advising and guiding the implementation of complex multi-stakeholder projects
โข ย ย Extent of experience in formulation, implementation and monitoring of projects
โข ย ย Ability to develop plans for the implementation and coordination of project operations in developing countries, in partnership with UN agencies and other concerned stakeholders and/or partners
โข ย ย Familiarity with UN administrative, operational and financial procedures is an asset.