Organizational Setting
The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Egypt, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Egypt to develop policies, programmes and projects to improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.
FAO is currently implementing a project titled “Support for the establishment of model guide fields in sugarcane growing areas in Upper Egypt.”. The main aim of the project is to Contribute to improving agricultural productivity of Sugarcane and managing natural resources (specifically water, land & fertilizers) through enhancing the technical capacity of Sugarcane smallholder producers in Egypt.
The position is located in Aswan.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY and Assistant FAOR for programmes, the direct supervision of the project Manager, the technical supervision of the lead technical Officer RNE, and in close collaboration with the FAO country office and project personnel, as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders.
Technical Focus
The sugarcane production specialist will be responsible for providing the technical support to the sugarcane FFSs in the two regions of Edfu and Kom Ombo, as well as deliver a number of practical technical training sessions for the facilitators and extensionists from the agricultural directorate.
Tasks and responsibilities
The sugarcane production specialist will perform the following duties:
• Review best-cultivation practices to enhance yield and reduce post-harvest loss for both monoculture and mixed farming systems of sugarcane in Aswan governorate;
• Draft a training plan for the Farmer Field Schools focusing on sugarcane;
• Develop draft CSA curricula, for FFS facilitators and design CSA and Natural Resource Management (NRM) inputs needed for the FFSs-extension plots to be reviewed and cleared by LTO.
• Support Field coordinators and FFSs-facilitators providing participants of FFSs with group-based packages of sugarcane CSA and NRM equipment, tools, seedlings, chemicals, etc.
• Support the FFS facilitators to monitor and evaluate the farmers’ performance.
• Provide Backstop and monitor the FFSs facilitators to improve their performance.
• Guide the technical experts in the implementation of the activities to be implemented under the LOAs with the potential service providers
• When assistance is required, visit the sugarcane FFSs in each of the two locations, offer technical help, and stand by the facilitators of the FFSs.
• Monitor and contribute to the establishment and running of the sugarcane-FFSs and monitor and report the progress of the FFSs and demonstrations plots activities;
• Organize and support training sessions for farmers and extension officers on modern and sustainable sugarcane cultivation methods.
• Provide technical support in response to the priority needs of the farmer field schools supported under the project;
• Draft technical specifications for the procurement of agricultural inputs, tools and equipment and plan the quantities to be procured under the project and to be used for the training and for the sugarcane FFSs
• Deliver in a comprehensive technical report covering all sugarcane-related activities.
• Provide any other relevant technical assistance needed;
• Maintain the communication with the project staff for any advice could be raised;
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• A bachelor's degree in plant production, agronomy, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of agricultural development of sugarcane, preferably in a field-based role.
• Working knowledge in the English and Arabic languages
• National of Egypt or resident in the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement