Millet Seed Production Expert

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to achieve food security and nutrition for all. With presently 194 member states, and working in more than 130 countries worldwide, including Namibia. FAO contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The aim of the FAO Country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries, and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Country Office activities include the design and implementation of country-specific field programs, liaison with local donors' representatives, and active outreach activities related to FAO initiatives.

Background

In line with its mandate, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) continues to support the Government of Namibia through targeted technical assistance delivered in collaboration with key ministries, agencies, and local institutions. Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), locally known as Mahangu, remains the country’s most climate-resilient staple crop, uniquely adapted to Namibia’s predominantly arid and semi-arid production environments. With average annual rainfall of approximately 285 mm, recurrent high temperatures, and frequent drought events, agricultural production systems face considerable constraints. Mahangu’s deep rooting capacity, short growth cycle, and high tolerance to moisture stress make it indispensable for household food security, particularly in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs), where more than 60 percent of the population relies on it as their primary cereal.
Despite its strategic importance, Namibia’s annual production is estimated at 371,800 MT and meets only about 52 percent of domestic requirements, resulting in continued dependence on cereal imports. Climate variability and extreme weather events further compound the situation, with output declining from 44,100 MT in 2021/22 to 36,100 MT in 2022/23. Enhancing the productivity, stability, and commercial viability of mahangu production is therefore essential for reducing food insecurity and strengthening national self-sufficiency.
Although mahangu is designated as a controlled product under the Agronomic Industry Act (2008), the value chain remains predominantly subsistence oriented. Production systems are characterized by limited adoption of improved agronomic practices, inadequate post-harvest and storage technologies, low levels of processing, and weak market integration. Addressing these systemic constraints is central to unlocking the crop’s full potential for rural incomes, nutrition, and agro-industrial development.

Reporting Lines

The Millet Seed Production Expert will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, with day-to-day supervision by the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme.  
 

Technical Focus

•     Analyze gaps and opportunities for climate-resilient millet seed production.
•     Train extension and research officers as Trainers of Trainers (ToT) in seed production.
•     Millet Seed Production Manual.
•     Train seed growers on millet seeds and production thereof.
•     Presentation on Millet seed production at the Mahangu Symposium.
•     Peer learning on millet seed.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide technical support to strengthen Namibia’s mahangu seed system through capacity development and coordinated stakeholder engagement
•     Provide technical support at the inception workshop and present project objectives, clarify deliverables, and ensure alignment among seed value chain stakeholders.
•     Gather seed-related data and provide technical inputs to the national mahangu value chain assessment, in collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative for Programme, the Millet Value Chain Expert, and relevant government technical departments
•     Assess gaps and opportunities within the millet seed system, with a focus on climate-resilient seed production
•     Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for 56 extension and research officers on millet seed production
•     Oversee the development of a comprehensive Millet Seed Production Manual covering soil fertility management, seed selection, pest management, good agronomic practices, yield estimation, and seed processing, grading, and storage
•     Support capacity development of seed growers on seed production, processing, weed and plant population management, and basic financial and market skills.
•     Support knowledge exchange through presentations on millet seed production at the national Millet (Mahangu) Symposium for breeders, researchers, and extension staff
•     Support exposure visits and farmer-to-farmer learning for seed growers to learn from lead farmers applying best practices in seed production

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     Advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Agronomy, Seed Science and Technology, Plant Breeding, Crop Science, or a closely related field. 
•     At least 5 years of proven experience working in semi-arid agricultural systems and with smallholder seed growers.
•     Experience of at least 5 years in designing or implementing capacity-building programmes for extension staff and farmers. 
•     The candidate is required to provide a full account of previous experience, together with contactable references National of Namibia or resident of the country with valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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