National Agronomist at Food and Agriculture Organization Of the United Nations

Organizational Setting

• The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO representative, is to assistant 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 to ensure zero hunger in the country.
• FAO provides support in three priority areas: sustainable increase in production and productivity, agriculture-based economic growth, and increased resilience of livelihoods to threats and crisis.
• The current portfolio of projects in Nigeria includes activities related to agriculture (crop), livestock, Fisheries, Natural Resource management and Food Security Information Management and Analysis.
• The incumbent will contribute to the country’s programme and portfolio as foreseen in the project he/she will coordinate and be assigned.

Reporting Lines:

• The national agronomist will report to the FAO Representative (FAOR) under the direct supervision of the Head of Office of the FAO Northeast office and in close collaboration with the emergency and resilience programme specialist

Technical Focus:

• Contribute to FAO Nigeria efforts in designing and implementation of emergency agricultural and resilience sensitive programme.   

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide support and guidance in the analysis of critical challenges and threats to sustainable crop production and horticulture intensification for food and nutrition security in Nigeria
• Assess the gaps and identify the needs for urgent intervention in crop production and horticulture;
• Provide technical guidance/recommendations of approaches/strategies for agriculture crop production and horticulture interventions in order to improve livelihoods, diversify diets and strengthen resilience to external shocks;
• Identify realistic, practical and acceptable homestead gardening technologies that could address the challenges of beneficiates with limited access to land/water (mainly for IDPs inside and outside camps) for vegetable production to improve food security and nutritional status;
• Support implementation of the entire emergency and resilience programme in the Northeast and other areas when required.
• Contribute to the identification of beneficiaries in the targeted LGAs within IDPs, host communities and returnees in the North-Eastern region for capacity building;
• Contribute to the procurement process of crop production and horticulture inputs i.e. preparation of the technical specifications of inputs i.e. seeds, hand tools, greenhouse and small drip irrigation facilities,  agrochemicals, along with detail distribution plans to the identified beneficiaries in the targeted area;
• Propose implementation, management and monitoring plans for the crop production and horticulture interventions in the area of responsibility.
• Develop various modules (e.g. homestead gardening, composting, seeds and seedling propagation, pest and weed control, conservation agriculture and water harvesting techniques, water management,  post-harvest on-farm processing and storage) for capacity strengthening of farmers in crop production;
• Provide support to extension/NGO staff in distribution of inputs and training farmers on improved crop husbandry and horticultural practices using recognized participatory and group-based extension techniques.
• Maintain and engage in networks of collaboration amongst the stakeholders to gather information, promote awareness of technical issues and support capacity building programmes.
• Be innovative and contribute to improvement of the crop and horticulture components of the programme
• Participate in interagency coordination and working groups related to crop production and horticulture
• Support partners in the implementation of Farmer Field Schools ensuring that all processes are followed including the conduct of farmer field days
• Contribute in the development of Letters of Agreement for implementation of project activities in the area of responsibility and monitor implementation including timely reporting
• Contribute to interim and terminal projects reporting by providing field data and lessons gathered from the fields during project implementation.
• Prepare field missions in support of project implementation.
• Effectively participate and make technical input to the agricultural working group of the Food Security Sector
• Prepare case studies, guidelines, periodic briefs and reports, publications and presentations in support of programme delivery
• Contribute to strengthening collaboration with various government and non-government stakeholders
• Other tasks as required by the supervisor.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following
Minimum Requirements:

• Postgraduate Degree in Agronomy/Crop Science
• At least 10 years of progressive experience working in humanitarian context in the field of agriculture and with deep understanding of horticulture and agricultural production, programming, and extension concepts is also desirable
• Working knowledge of English
• National of Nigeria.

FAO Core 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
• Extent and relevance of experience in working in humanitarian context in the field of agriculture and with deep understanding emergency agriculture concepts and programming
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with communities and diverse stakeholders in conflict affected areas.
• Familiarity and proven experience in project management and development
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent computer skills, communication, writing and presentation skills.
• Readiness to carry out visits to project sites and duty travel as required.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work in emergency situations with tight deadlines.
• Excellent team-building and cross-cultural skills.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of the on-going emerging policy issues in the areas of Agriculture, Food Security, Rural Development, Poverty Eradication, and social protection
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and experience in working with a wide range of individuals at high levels in government, private sector, and civil society.
• Experience of working with the government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, private sector/ civil society in the field of economic and social development in Nigeria.
• A sound knowledge/experience in working with communities and diverse stakeholders in conflict affected areas.
• Good and proven experience in project management and development is an advantage.