Job Position Technical Adviser (Plant Protection) at FAO March 2022
Organizational Setting
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.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) supports governments and regional bodies to address their needs and priorities in achieving food security, reducing hunger and malnutrition. This includes developing capacities of National Plant Protection Organizations in fulfilling their legal mandates ensuring suppression and eradication of plant pests and preserving international trade. FAO is currently implementing a project titled “Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety and seeks to recruit a Technical Adviser who will provide overall management and technical advice to the project.
The position is located at the FAO Representation in office in Dodoma. The incumbent will provide the overall delivery of the project results/outputs, day-to-day management, organization and coordination of all project activities at all levels in close consultation with the FAO Representative and relevant Ministries.
Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Plant Protection) reports to the FAO Representative under the technical supervision of the FAO Lead Technical Officer of the project, and technical divisions at headquarters.
Technical Focus
Management and coordination of the project Strengthening Plant Health Services in Tanzania for Enhanced Food Safety. This will mainly involve policy support to enhance food and nutrition security in the region with emphasis on addressing plant and animal health issues for better market access and the establishment of and agricultural information management system.
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Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
Key Functions
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
• Coordinates technical cooperation activities and project-related activities and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, subregional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.
Specific Functions
• Supervises and supports the delivery of project components aimed at strengthening of plant pests and disease management, including surveillance and early warning capacities for the priority plant pests and diseases.
• Provides overall leadership, management oversight and direction on all aspects of implementation of the project activities.
• Leads the assessment of laboratory capacities, both technical and operational, taking into consideration the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• Supports the Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides Authority (TPHPA) in designing effective border post minilabs.
• Provides a clear-cut needs analysis citing necessary equipment (including required technical specifications), installation and maintenance capacity as well as a proposal for strategic rehabilitation.
• Leads the review of sampling and certification procedures.
• Supports the procurement committee at the FAO country office in drafting the technical aspects of tender documents.
• Coordinates the procurement of project services, equipment and materials at regional and national levels.
• Oversees and supervises the rehabilitation process and re-equipping of the national laboratories.
• Provides guidance on relevant plant health technical aspects addressed by surveillance and traceability systems.
• Evaluates and approves project training programs.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Acts as Secretary of the Steering Committee and Technical Working Group on behalf of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).
• Researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Reviews and updates work plans, budgets, communications and visibility plans in close coordination with the rest of the PIU and the partners in the project, prior to their submission to the Steering Committee.
• Coordinates activities related to budget, funding, project preparation and submission, progress reports, financial statements, etc. and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Liaises with the EU Delegation on the overall implementation of the project.
• Monitors potential risks that could constrain project implementation and takes timely mitigating action.
• Performs any other related duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, crop science, agronomy or related fields.
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation–related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Team Work
• 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.
• Experience in Agriculture Information System and Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary measures implementation at the country level.
• Relevance and extent of experience in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food safety and plant health, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
• Good report writing skills.
• Ability to provide team leadership and motivation in project management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
• Extent of knowledge of planning and budgetary processes and associated tools, monitoring and/or evaluation of development projects as well as on issues related to regional economic integration.
• Experience with International and Regional Institutions and implementing development projects.
• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes.
HOW TO APPLY: CLICK TO APPLY ONLINE VIA OFFICIAL WEBSITE
