Field Support Agronomist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through 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 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 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: 
•     advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate.
•     provide technical assistance and deliver core services. 
•     assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation. 
•     position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•     ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The position is located in the FAO Country Office in Kenya.

The grade of the position is SC7.

Reporting Lines

The Field Support Agronomist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Kenya and the Assistant FAO Representative Programmes, the general supervision of the Sustainable Agrifood Systems Programme manager and direct supervision of the National Project Lead of the Building Opportunities for Refugees and Host Communities Self-Reliance Project (UNJP/KEN/120/EC).

Technical Focus

The Field Support Agronomist will provide day-to-day technical support to Partners, County Government, and Farmers (Both Refugee and Host) on Crop Production, climate smart agriculture, and Irrigation Water Management in Kalobeyei Refugee Settlement and Turkana West Sub-County.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide technical support to farmers and partners on the management of shade-net and open-field crop production to ensure optimal costs and levels of production are maintained in Kalobeyei and its environments
•     Train, mentor, and coach Community-Based Extension Service Providers (CBESPs), farm management committees, Water User Associations, and farmers in Turkana West on Agroecological Approaches and techniques, and farming methods, including Diversification, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), Agroforestry, conservation agriculture with trees, Integrated Pest Management, postharvest management, and irrigation agronomy and the management of water infrastructure.
•     Facilitate producer-agro-dealers & other agro-input/service providers and producer–buyer linkages.
•     Support the development of commercially viable business models for agro-dealers to provide inputs and services to farmers and encourage local entrepreneurs to invest in the business opportunity.
•     Support the regreening and rehabilitation of degraded land initiatives by FAO in Kakuma and Kalobeyei and their environs
•     Set and establish demonstration sites in various production areas in Kakuma, Kalobeyei, and their environments.
•     Support farm management committees and partners on technical issues related to the management of their water infrastructure, including water pans, pumping systems, distribution systems, drip irrigation systems, and in-situ water harvesting structures.
•     Support upscaling agricultural mechanization to enhance agricultural productivity and efficiency by equipping farmers with adequate mechanization training for effective, safe, and sustainable use.
•     Support implementation of the monitoring and evaluation of field activities, data collection and surveys, and subsequent regular report writing.
•     Perform other duties as may be assigned by the FAO representative or their duly appointed representative

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Crop science, Horticulture or a related field.
•     5 years of relevant experience working in irrigation agronomy, dryland agriculture, climate-smart agriculture, and crop production with proven skills in shade-net and open-field farming, agroecology, and integrated pest management.
•     Working knowledge of English and Kiswahili
•     National of Kenya

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Skills and Capacity to implement crop demonstrations and Farmer Field Schools. 
•     Experience in collaborating with and /or coordinating government, NGOs and development partners to implement impactful and resilient agriculture projects.
•     Working experience in harsh environments among diverse cultures.
•     Experience in rural development and participatory methodologies.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION