Agriculture and Extension Specialist/Acting Head of the FAO Project Office

Organizational Setting

The position is located in Sukhumi, Georgia. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the 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.

Reporting Lines

The Agriculture and Extension Specialist/Acting Head of the FAO Project Office shall operate under the overall responsibility of the Regional Programme Leader, direct supervision of the FAO Programme Coordinator, in close coordination with other national and international colleagues of the FAO offices in Sukhumi, Zugdidi and Tbilisi

Technical Focus

  The Agriculture and Extension Specialist/Acting Head of the FAO Project Office will oversee the day to day management of the FAO Project office in Sukhumi, and provide technical support in agronomy to the day to day implementation of the agricultural component of the FAO projects implemented in Abkhazia. These projects support an increased resilience in Abkhazian communities, working in the agricultural sector (promotion of good agricultural practices, including extension to farmers in primary production and postharvest). 

Tasks and responsibilities

As head of the FAO Project Office in Sukhumi

•    Ensure the day to day management of the FAO Project Office
•    Provide guidance to local staff for the correct implementation of the FAO Programme in Abkhazia
•    Ensure the management of FAO assets (cars and equipment) and premises.
•    Act as the local Head of Agency for all the UN coordination in Abkhazia
•    Act as the Security focal point for FAO in Abkhazia
•    Lead the communication with the different stakeholders based in Sukhumi.

As Agriculture and Extension Specialist:

•    Guide the team of local agronomists and foresters for the implementation of the FAO technical work in Abkhazia.
•    Provide technical support in the creation of 10 farmer field schools (FFS) in Abkhazia dedicated to integrated farming systems and crop diversification with a strong component of integrated pest management. 
•    Provide technical guidance to the local teams in the implementation of demonstration plots for extension purposes, including GAPs, IPM
•    Lead and support technically the team of national agronomists in introducing experimental diversification of cropping systems
•    Revise weekly work plans of agronomists to be in alignment with FAO technical standards
•    Organize and participate in the activities of extension and capacity development, including the preparation of training programs, training materials, and organization of training events
•    Create annual curricula for FFS, implement demonstration plots, lead and participate actively in the trainings where extension activities are being developed
•    Support the preparations of project reports, consolidate inputs and finalize reports for submission to the donor
•    Maintain updated work plans and procurement plans, and lead the preparation of technical specifications for the procurement of agricultural inputs/equipment needed for the implementation of projects
•    Follow up on the budgets of the project, and ensure timely organization of resources (study tours, missions, external consultancies, procurement) as required for the implementation of the project.
•    Ensure enhanced preservation of local grape genetic resources and availability of their propagation materials through establishment of a grape collection vineyard (0,6 ha 3000 vines) and a rootstock mother vineyard (0,4 ha; 600 vines). 
•    Contribute to the improvement of knowledge on management of grapevines and propagation material production through establishment of a Technical Training Hub
•    Complete outlook studies on various agricultural products relevant for the Abkhazian market
•    Support youth education and outreach efforts related to topics of public health, sustainable agriculture, and natural resource conservation
•    Other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    Advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy or related topics.
•    Five years of relevant experience in agriculture
•    Working knowledge of English and Russian
•    Good writing skills in English.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Demonstrated understanding of agricultural sector
•    Excellent communication skills, proven ability to convey complex ideas through clear and effective oral presentations.
•    Good skills in community mobilization as well as inter-personal relations. 
•    Work experience in the implementation of projects in agriculture in the region will be an asset
•    Extent and relevance of experience and skills in project management at field level. 
•    Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases and electronic programmes is an asset. 
•    Quality of both oral and written communication skills.