Technical Adviser (Water and Agriculture)

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

Basra, Iraq 🇮🇶

Job Posting: 09/Jan/2023
Closure Date: 31/Jan/2023, 5:59:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FAO Representation in Iraq (FNIRQ)
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional Project
Grade Level: P-4
Primary Location: Iraq-Basra
Duration: Fixed-term: one year with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2009346
CCOG Code: 1A11
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
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.

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 productionbetter nutritionbetter environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an 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.

In its effort to support the Government of Iraq with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation, FAO has been working towards climate-resilient and low-emission agrifood systems while taking into consideration all agricultural sectors, related value chains and ecosystems in a holistic way and recognizing the importance of a balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

Within this context, FAO is implementing projects in Iraq to enhance the climate resilience of farming communities in the South of Iraq by increasing and stabilizing water availability at the farm gate; optimizing agriculture and water productivity; and reducing the adaptation deficit of farming communities via specific and tailored trainings and capacity development processes aimed at transferring more resilient practices and technologies into local production systems. 

The position is located in the FAO Field Office in Basra, Iraq.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Water and Agriculture) reports to the FAO Representative in Iraq and will be working closely with the Iraq management team, under technical guidance of the respective Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and close collaboration with all FAO staff in Iraq, as well as with concerned stakeholders, and will liaise with relevant technical and programme staff at the FAO Regional Office and headquarters.

Technical Focus
The incumbent will lead the technical support to the implementation of the project Enhance climate resilience of vulnerable agriculture households in Southern Iraq through the promotion of climate smart water management and good agriculture practices in selected value chains, including the coordination with relevant technical officers of FAO in headquarters and the Regional Office for  the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

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 programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
•    Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-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, sub regional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions
Plans, leads and coordinates the agriculture and water activities under the project Enhance climate resilience of vulnerable agriculture households in Southern Iraq through the promotion of climate smart water management and good agriculture practices in selected value chains. This includes:
      providing technical guidance over the development of project implementation plan/action plan, ensuring buy-in from all relevant stakeholders;
      providing  technical guidance and coordination of technical multi-disciplinary teams of national and international experts for the implementation of this plan (Climate Resilience Agriculture, Farmer Field School, water efficiency, Climate Wise Women, value chain development);
      developing  and delivering  training materials and technical reports required for the implementation of the Programme, particularly on climate adaptive and water efficiency farming practices through Farmer Field schools and Climate Wise Women programmes; 
      provision of technical guidance over the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of project activities (through quarterly project progress reports, mission report, financial reports and other documentation) and propose adjustments to project activities as necessary;
      liaising with the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and other FAO technical officers in headquarters and RNE to obtain technical inputs and technical clearances on technical reports and presentations;
      supporting and builds capacity for the rest of the FAO project team to ensure timely technical support and capacity building provided to relevant stakeholders and project partners during the implementation of the Project’s work plan. This includes training, coaching and mentoring;
      coordinating policy advocacy through the development of action plans regulating water supply for irrigation, but also through policy notes, meetings, and submission of content to the right coordination mechanisms for the sectors of environment, agriculture and water that FAO is co-leading;
      responding to requests from the donor, and liaise with the national counterparts: Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Environment and provides technical advice and support;
      promoting linkages, dialogues and technical cooperation with all relevant stakeholders in Southern Iraq, including Government institutions, donors, private-sector companies and Civil Society organizations, and participates in technical platforms and coordination fora, meetings and conferences for the benefit of the Programme’s targeted population.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
•    Advanced university degree in agricultural economics, development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), or related field
•    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 FAO official 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.
•    Relevance and extent of 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.
•    Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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 SERVICEA competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: 

http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

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 protectionFAO 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 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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/

• 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 contact: Careers@fao.org

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

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