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.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and malnutrition. The main 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 help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The project “Smart Farming for Sustainable Livelihoods”, being implemented in Honduras and Zambia funded by the Government of Korea. Building on the success of the Smart Farming approach in Vietnam and Uzbekistan, FAO aims to extend this experience to Zambia in collaboration with FAO’s Zambia office and key national and regional partners. The project will introduce and promote sustainable, smart farming systems, focusing on post-harvest management and marketing of vegetables grown in both protected and open-field systems. The initiative aims to enhance farmers' incomes by improving productivity, reducing production costs, and ensuring the quality of products in terms of nutrition and food safety. It will also promote efficient post-harvest practices to reduce food losses and increase market access. Additionally, the project will strengthen national capacity to develop and adapt technological innovations in smart agriculture for vegetable value chains.
FAO is also implementing the project Transforming city region food systems by reducing food loss and waste in local food production and supply systems (GCP/GLO/1198/GER) project in Medellin (Colombia) and in Lusaka (Zambia) funded by the Government of Germany (BMEL). Through the project, FAO seeks to reduce FLW (food loss and waste) by implementing actions for prevention, reduction, recovery, reuse, and recycling in priority vegetable commodities with high nutritional value. The project aims are to demonstrate how sustainable practices in short-cycle vegetable production can enhance small-scale farmers' ability to reduce FLW, optimize practices and technologies, and improve market access, while creating job opportunities.
Reporting Lines
The National Agronomist will work in the FAO Representation in Zambia under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative (FAOR) and direct supervision of the Assistant FAOR Programmes. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Sub-regional and Regional Support Teams.
Technical Focus
To provide specialized technical support in implementing smart technologies for agricultural production in protected and open-field systems within priority areas in Zambia.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Ongoing Technical Assistance: Provide continuous technical assistance to farmers in implementing smart agricultural practices and technologies.
• Technical Support: Assist in developing technical specifications and assessing technical bids for vegetable production systems, covering crop types, irrigation systems, mechanization, and agricultural tools.
• Farmer Training: Develop and execute training plans in collaboration with DACOs and the Extension Services to improve farmers’ technical skills, providing tailored agronomic solutions to agricultural challenges.
• Demonstration Farm Supervision: Ensure the effective operation of demonstration farms as learning centers for farmers.
• Post-Harvest Optimization and Market Access: Implement improved harvest and post-harvest practices to enhance to reduce losses, product quality and access to markets.
• Data collection and monitoring: implement data collection to monitor food loss and waste reduction in production and supply systems
Specific tasks
• Contribute to the Initial Diagnostic Study, socio-economic evaluation of target farmers, analysis of post-harvest management enterprises to set selection criteria. Contribute to completing a baseline study on food loss and waste.
• Coordinate with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Lusaka City Council, identify and select beneficiary farmers and other value chain actors in selected priority areas.
• Develop a monitoring framework and collect data to monitor food loss and waste reduction with target beneficiaries
• Monitor the performance of implemented technologies, evaluating their impact on productivity and crop quality.
• Identify best practices along the value chain, including primary production, post-harvest management, market access, cohesion, and association-building.
• Develop and conduct surveys with project beneficiaries to establish a local baseline, as well as socio-economic aspects by region and crop type.
• Conduct regular technical visits to beneficiary farms to supervise the implementation of new technologies and crop management, harvest and post-harvest practices.
• Develop educational materials in collaboration with MoA, focused on sustainable vegetable and/or fruit production practices, adapted to local conditions.
• Coordinate with MoA, DACOs, and the Extension Services to ensure proper implementation of agricultural activities in selected areas.
• Support the setup and operation of demonstration farms in project areas, using these as educational tools.
• Promote the adoption of identified best practices on a local scale.
• Collaborate with other project team members to develop and apply integrated soil fertility management strategies.
• Support the development of protocols and practical guides for setting up protected systems for vegetable production in priority areas.
• Participate in and develop training activities, such as workshops and courses, to enhance producers' skills in production, post-harvest management, and marketing.
• Communicate project results and lessons learned to national counterparts.
• Facilitate collaboration and information exchange with local partners, including extension services, farmer organizations, and educational institutions.
• Support farmers to minimize food waste at the farm level, such as proper sorting, storage, and transportation practices, and utilizing surplus or imperfect produce.
• Liaise with government officials, UN Agencies, humanitarian and development partners and beneficiaries on country programme implementation and delivery at the appropriate level to ensure coordination and identify partnership opportunities.
• Perform other duties, as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Candidates should meet the following:
• Advanced University Degree (preferably MSc Degree) in Agronomy, Sustainable Food Systems, Agriculture Economics or closely related fields to the FAO mandate.
• At least five (5) years of relevant experience in agricultural development, research and/or extension services, and/or support involving agronomy and agribusiness activities
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Zambia
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional skills
• Strong knowledge of agronomy, crop production, soil science, and horticulture.
• Knowledge of data analysis and interpretation, including statistical software and data visualization tools.
• Familiarity with GIS and remote sensing technologies, including spatial analysis and mapping.
• Knowledge in irrigation systems, mechanization, and agricultural tools.
• Understanding of climate-smart agriculture principles and practices, including climate risk management and climate-resilient crop and animal varieties.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and other basic software applications.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse Strong organizational and planning skills and commitment to discretion and confidentiality
• Familiarity with UN human resource administrative procedures and systems
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing) Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/ For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/ Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.