National Soil Laboratory Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (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.

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 

The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.
 
Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

FAO is implementing the project ‘Soil mapping for resilient agrifood systems in Central America and sub-Saharan Africa (SoilFER) project in Ghana’ – GCP/GLO/1127/USA. The project aligns with FAO’s Programme Priority Areas BP1: innovation for sustainable agriculture production; BP5 ‘Digital agriculture and BE 1: Climate change mitigation and adapted agrifood system, and contribute to SDGs 2.1, 2.4 and 5B.

The position is in the FAO Country Office of Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The National Soil Laboratory Specialist will report to the FAO Representative in Ghana, as well as to the project management team in HQ, which is hosted in the NSL.

Technical Focus

The National Soil Laboratory Specialist will contribute to the implementation of the SoilFER project – Supporting the Country Office in the analysis of soil samples to assess their chemical, physical, and biological properties, including nutrient content, pH, and organic matter, to inform agricultural practices, environmental assessments, current and future projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Oversee the processing of soil samples for wet and dry chemistry analysis in Ghana.
•    Collaborate with project partners and laboratories to ensure accurate and timely soil analysis results.
•    Support quality assurance and quality control measures for soil analysis processes, including the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
•    Support the organization of capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings, to enhance national capacities in soil analysis and data management.
•    Support the implementation of laboratory equipment procurement activities of the project.
•    Track progress and assess the quality of soil analysis and harmonization activities.
•    Facilitate the establishment of national soil laboratory network in Ghana. 
•    Provide input to project monitoring and reporting frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of soil analysis and harmonization efforts.
•    Communicate project outcomes and lessons learned related to soil analysis and harmonization to relevant audiences.
•    Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, particularly national soil laboratories.
•    Perform any other duties as assigned by FAOR.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements 
   
•    Advanced University Degree in Agricultural Science, Soil Science, Crop Science, Agricultural Economics or any related field.
•    At least five (5) years working experience in soil analysis [i.e. wet and dry chemistry] in public or private soil laboratories.
•    Working knowledge (Level C) of English. 
•    National of the Republic of Ghana.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Experience in managing soil laboratory operations 
•    Experience in soil sample analyses or statistical analyses in an agricultural laboratory
•    Experience in developing advisory/recommendations to sample analysis 
•    Experience in developing learning materials and/or standard operating procedures for soil labs
•    Experience in capacity building and training
•    Adequate evidence of technical understanding of soil sampling procedures 
•    Experience in soil laboratory operations and soil analysis.
•    Good writing, presentation and communication skills

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION