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 Country Offices, which are headed by an FAO representative and working to implement the corporate Strategic Framework at country level, offer policy advice and technical assistance to countries to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural sector in a sustainable manner to ensure zero hunger in the country.
The FAO Representation in Bangladesh (FAOBD) is providing technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh to facilitate the implementation of the Agriculture Sector Transformation Programme (ATP), under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). This initiative is funded by the Gates Foundation (GF) and is anticipated to be executed over a period of 38 months. The project aims to encourage investment in the crop sector and enhance the innovative technologies in line with agricultural transformation towards sustainable agro-economic growth in Bangladesh. The specific objectives, are to:
• Conduct policy, institutional, and investment gap analyses to inform an effective action plan for agriculture sector transformation.
• Identify and establish effective pathways for prioritizing and coordinating resources and partnerships.
• Enhance collaboration with the private sector.
• Improve the scale and efficacy of investments in agrifood system research and innovation.
• Increase initiatives to safeguard environmental health, particularly considering climate vulnerability.
The National Agronomy Specialist will play a pivotal role in implementing the project activities in collaboration with relevant team members and units of FAO Bangladesh.
Reporting Lines
The National Agronomy Specialist is a SC-9 position (National Technical Expert). Under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, and direct supervision of the Technical Advisor in close collaboration with the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and National Project Coordinator (NPC), the National Agronomy Specialist will work closely with the Project team, FAOBD colleagues, focal persons of relevant government institutions, and other internal and external stakeholders for the implementation of the project activities aimed at developing the regional Priority Investment Plans to facilitate Agri-Transformation on six geographical regions and facilitating the implementation of a package of innovative technologies to propel agricultural transformation as foreseen in the project document.
Technical Focus
The technical focus of the assignment includes support to identify the availability of crop production technologies in each of the hotspots, other agricultural operations, developing checklist/tools for information generation to produce agro-ecological profiles/reports for 06 hotspots and assist in producing regional investment plans and implementation support to the GoB’s Program on Agricultural and Rural Transformation for Nutrition, Entrepreneurship, and Resilience (PARTNER) in collaboration with relevant government agencies and other stakeholders.
Tasks and responsibilities
• Provide technical and operational support for the implementation and monitoring of projects and activities related to crop production and protection.
• Draft technical reports on project deliverables, concept notes, and project proposal documents.
• Support the preparation of work plans and budget estimates for projects activities.
• Review consultant reports to ensure compliance with terms of reference and specifications prior to submission for LTO approval.
• Capitalize on existing and emerging information to develop knowledge products and tools that ensure the sustainability of acquired knowledge.
• Support the organization of training workshops and meetings with relevant partners.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be assigned.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agronomy or a relevant subject. A PhD in Agronomy is preferred.
• At least nine (9) years of relevant experience in agricultural development and/or project implementation.
• Working knowledge of English (level C)
• National of Bangladesh
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Project Implementation
Technical/Functional Skills
• Excellent understanding of current national agriculture / crop production challenges and related agricultural policies and practices.
• Extend and relevance of work experience in agronomy / crop sector development, investment in agrifood system or public policy formulation in Bangladesh
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills with demonstrated experience in research and writing on topics related to investment in agrifood systems, innovative technologies and agriculture transformation.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical advisory support to or working with government institutions, multistakeholder platforms and multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in facilitating agencies and multistakeholder dialogues and consensus building on key national priority
• Capacity to work as an efficient team member to harness the project’s development objectives
• Skilled in designing and/or delivering workshops/seminars or other capacity development initiatives.
• Strong communication skills, including expressing research/technology results using imperial tables and graphical presentations
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Highly developed interpersonal, negotiation and teamwork skills, and a networking aptitude.
• Knowledge of sustainable agricultural technologies/practices, agriculture policy landscape of Bangladesh including agricultural markets, trade policies, and international development issues
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.