Summary
Date Posted: Tuesday, January 28 2025, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
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.

Job Posting
27/Jan/2025
Closure Date
10/Feb/2025, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit
FRZAM – FAO Representation in Zambia
Job Type
Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition
NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level
N/A
Primary Location
Zambia-Lusaka
Duration
12 months
Post Number
N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months:

Level of Education:

Job application procedure
• To apply for this job please visit jobs.fao.org.

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