Project Officer (Farmer Field School)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• 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 persons 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 staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

Organizational Setting

FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level.

The Country Offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

Specifically, FAO Country Offices:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO's mandate.

(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services.

(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation.

(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and

(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.'

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The position is located in the FAO Representation in Damascus, Syria.

Reporting Lines

The Project Officer will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Syria and the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor, the incumbent will work closely with the programme and technical FAO staff. The Project Officer will also work closely with the team of the Building Local Resilience in Syra (BLRS) project to support the effective establishment of Farmer Field School (FFS) for crops and livestock under the BLRS project as well as all projects at FAO-SY which have an FFS component

Technical Focus

The main task of the Project Officer (Farmer Field School) is to support the development, expansion and coordination of FAO Syria's FFS programme ensuring robust FFS curriculum, training and supervision of all FFS activities under the 'Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS) project and other projects. The Project Officer will also lead and review the technical work of the FFS implementers. Furthermore, the incumbent will contribute to sustainable agriculture and food security by focusing on livestock production, plant production and protection, and all value chain activities, contributing to develop integrated pest and disease management strategies, climate-smart agriculture concepts, and practices aimed at enhancing yield.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical-related issues on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports.

• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and documents as well as technical input for reports and web pages.

• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and projects and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.

• Oversees the updating of databases and web pages.

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other Divisions/Offices/Centres and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.

• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

• Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

· Provides support for the FFS components of multidisciplinary teams, leading and/or participating in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or providing specialized FFS expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard-setting bodies.

· Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of FFS programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

· Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards on FFS, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.

· Prepares progress report as requested and end of assignment report.

· Supports international cooperation and advocate on the best practices on FFS, collaboration with the Global FFS Platform, increasing policy dialogue and providing technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

· Identifies areas of improvement for better production and productivity to increase the competitiveness of small producers and small-scale agrifood enterprises engaged in the farmer field schools.

· Supports FFS trainings and workshops to transfer knowledge to the local institutions and beneficiaries at different levels, reviewing and/or preparing training manuals according to FAO standards, including leading and organizing training of Trainers (TOT) and Facilitators (TOF).

· Contributes to the establishment of Farmer Field School (FFS) activities for prioritized crops and livestock (cows, sheep and fish) considering Good and Climate Smart Agriculture practices.

· Ensures that women are encouraged to meaningfully participate and benefit in FFS by supporting, in close coordination with the FAO Gender team, gender trainings and gender integration activities within the FFS methodology.

· Contributes to the implementation of strategies for continuous monitoring and evaluation within the FFS framework, allowing for real-time feedback and adjustments to improve training and outcomes.

· Supports learning and provide technical guidance to targeted smallholder farmers on production, processing, and marketing of fodder, silage as well as other relevant animal husbandry good practices.

· Undertakes FFS field assessment in the targeted locations and support all FFS value chains activities in FAO Syria.

· Responds to the request of the FAO Representative as needed, covering other functions of the Office.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in political sciences, business administration, agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries) or related field.

• Five years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, fishery, forestry, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Teamwork

• Communication

• Building effective relationships

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.

• Experience running TOFs, curriculum development, facilitating FFS first hand.

• Relevance and extent of experience in in technical cooperation's related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.

• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.

• An advanced university degree in plant protection and production is desirable.

• Relevance and extent of experience in agricultural extension, FFS activities, and/or providing technical support and advice on institutional capacity building processes is considered an asset.

• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of Arabic is an asset.

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Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION

• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds

• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
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CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct

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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills;
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
• Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered;
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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