Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.
In 2018, Kazakhstan ratified an agreement made between the Government of Kazakhstan and FAO. An essential component of this Agreement is the FAO-Kazakhstan Partnership Program (FKPP). This program is dedicated to addressing strategic challenges in the agricultural development of Kazakhstan.
The Senior Plant Breeding and Seed Production Expert will be based in a home office setup but may be required to undertake field missions. His/her primary role will be to contribute to the launching and implementation of FKPP.
Reporting Lines
The Senior Plant Breeding and Seed Production Expert will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Leader and the functional and day-to-day guidance of the Investment Support Officer/Officer-in-Charge (OiC) of the FAO Kazakhstan office. He/she may also coordinate and facilitate work of other project consultants and guide relevant national stakeholders in the area of plant breeding and seed production system in Kazakhstan.
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Technical Focusย
Strengthening the partnership between the FAO Kazakhstan office and the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, the expert will be instrumental in refining, endorsing, and implementing the Complex Plan for Crops Breeding and Seed Production of Kazakhstan for 2024-2028, as well as delivering authoritative advice to the management of the Ministry of Agriculture and its subsidiary organizations on improvement of the plant breeding and seed production system in the country. The expert's pivotal role also extends to crafting analytical materials, preparing strategic decision-making tools for the FKPP Steering Committee, and fostering partnerships with national stakeholders and international agricultural research organisations. In routine matters, the expert will operate autonomously, while frequently collaborating with various organizational colleagues to provide technical support.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Senior Plant Breeding and Seed Production Expert will perform the following tasks:ย
โข ย ย Take a leading role in finalizing and peer reviewing, the Complex Plan for Crops Breeding and Production of Kazakhstan for 2024-2028, including the support in the development of state investment projects (GIPs) as part of the Complex Plan's rollout, which is being prepared currently by the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.
โข ย ย Prepare the FKPP project proposal on crops breeding and seed production in line with the national budget planning requirements and coordinate with other high-level contributors on the project proposal.
โข ย ย Deliver analytical materials, explanatory notes, and other essential documents on the plant breeding and seed production for the Government of Kazakhstan's consideration and take a lead in approving process of FKPP project proposals/ideas in the area of assignment.
โข ย ย Deliver ad-hoc data, information, papers, and presentations to facilitate strategic decision-making for the FKPP Steering Committee.
โข ย ย Facilitate strengthening partnerships and identifying synergistic opportunities with international agricultural research organizations such as the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT), the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), etc., pinpointing avenues of collaboration pertinent to the assignment.
โข ย ย Lead in instigating discussions with national stakeholders on the topics detailed above and present the organization at different meetings, round tables related to the area of assignment.
โข ย ย Expect to undertake trips/field missions beyond the home office, both within Kazakhstan and internationally, as deemed necessary.
โข ย ย Undertake any other related assignments as necessitated by the progression of tasks and the dynamic nature of the project.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
โข ย ย Bachelorโs degree or above in Agriculture or related subjects
โข ย ย At least eight (8) years of professional experience relevant to the position
โข ย ย Working knowledge of English and Russian.
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 High degree of initiative and willingness to provide support to the international and national staff involved in the projects
โข ย ย Logical thinking and sound judgmentย
โข ย ย Attention to details and sense of urgency
โข ย ย Excellent communication skills and ability to explain procedures clearly (in speaking and writing)
โข ย ย Good level of knowledge of Agricultural Policy, Rural Development and Family Farming
โข ย ย Experience in working with multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams with demonstrated strategic thinking skills
โข ย ย Ability to act at national and local levelsย
โข ย ย Strong planning, organization and time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks
โข ย ย Proficiency of standard IT technology and equipment
โข ย ย Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UNโs values and ethical standards
โข ย ย Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Selection Criteriaย
โข ย ย Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture, rural development, and family farming.
โข ย ย Work experience within the United Nations system is considered as an asset, but not mandatory
โข ย ย PhD degree will be considered an asset.