Food and Agriculture Organization Vacancy for Field Technician

Closure Date: 30/Jan/2025, 4:44:00 AM
Organizational Unit: FANEP – FAO Representation in Nepal
Job Type: Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition: PSA (Personal Services Agreement)
Grade Level: N/A
Primary Location: Home-Based
Duration: 215 days spread over 11 months
Post Number: N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

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 person 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.

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.

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:

(i) advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
(ii) provide technical assistance and deliver core services;
(iii) assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation;
(iv) position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation;
(v) ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.

The project “Enhancing Agricultural Recovery and Resilience of Flood-Affected Households in Nepal” that the Field Technician will support various agricultural recovery and resilience-building interventions in flood-impacted communities. The Field Technician will coordinate closely with Agricultural Knowledge Centers (AKC), DLS and municipalities to select appropriate crops, livestock, and fish seed varieties based on the seasonal calendar and local context. Key responsibilities include assisting in the formation of farmer groups, facilitating group-level orientations on crops, livestock and fisheries activities, and overseeing the distribution of agricultural inputs such as seeds and livestock to beneficiaries. The technician will also monitor and supervise project activities, prepare monthly, biannual and annual progress reports, and provide ongoing technical support in collaboration with project staff and government experts.

In addition to supporting crop, livestock, and fisheries interventions, the Field Technician will assess the needs for small-scale irrigation scheme repairs and mobilize farmers’ groups to carry out the necessary repairs and using local resources. The technician will coordinate training sessions for municipal officials on topics such as climate-resilient agriculture, gender-responsive practices, and data management.

Reporting Lines

The Field Technician will work under the overall supervision of the FAOR and the direct operational supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Coordinator and the technical supervision of the Provincial Project Coordinator will undertake the following tasks:

Technical Focus

As a Field Technician, the candidate has to assist in the planning and execution of field operations including planting, cultivating, and harvesting by implementing crop management practices to optimize growth conditions, such as fertilization, irrigation, and pest control, livestock management through regular field inspections and data collections.

Tasks and responsibilities

•  Support in coordination with AKC, DLS and municipalities for crop, livestock, and fish seed variety selection based on seasonal calendar and local context.
• Assist for formation/ identification of farmers’ groups for the implementation of crop, livestock & fisheries promotion interventions
• Support to conduct group level orientation/meeting to sensitize on crop, livestock & fisheries related activities of the project
• Identify demonstrations sites, coordinate with team for the timely distribution of quality inputs to farmers’ groups,
• Support to prepare monthly progress reports on project related activities.
•  Support on distribution of agricultural inputs (seeds and livestock) to beneficiaries.
• Monitor post-distribution and provide technical support with project staff and government experts.
• Conduct site visits to identify small-scale irrigation schemes and assess their needs for repair/rehabilitation.
• Mobilize farmers’ groups for irrigation scheme repairs, providing necessary materials and skilled labor.
• Support riverbank rehabilitation using low-cost infrastructure and bioengineering technologies.
• Identify strategic points for shallow tube well installation and ensure follow-up support.
• Assist in project orientation meetings & trainings for federal, provincial, and municipal stakeholders.
• Assist in providing training in climate-resilient agriculture and gender-responsive practices for municipal staff.
•  Provide logistic support in the training of farmers on cereal crops, vegetable production, fisheries and he-goat/buck management whenever required.
•  Distribute leaflets on cultivation practices for crops such as wheat, lentil, and paddy to beneficiaries.
•  Support the establishment of AMIS in two municipalities, linking it with the Bipad DRR portal.
•  Provide logistic support in the training of municipal officials on data management, AMIS operationalization, and linking to the Bipad portal.
•  Prepare and submit monthly work plan and monthly progress report as per the format developed by the project.
•  Undertake other project related tasks assigned by Emergency and Resilience Coordinator and Provincial Project Coordinator.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma/Technical Diploma (equivalent to SLC/TSLC) in Agriculture relevant with JTA
• At least two years of working experience in assisting the implementation of field operations and crop management, pest and disease management, irrigation and water management, post-harvest handling and of experience in agriculture development projects activities
• Working knowledge of English and Nepali
• National of Nepal

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
•  Work experience in farmer groups formation and mobilization
• Strong knowledge of sustainable agricultural practices to enhance environmental health and long-term productivity
• Good knowledge of communication and documentation standards
• Good knowledge of the organizational structure

Selection Criteria

•  Demonstrated practical and technical experience in crop productions with major experience of biological control research, extension, and development on the day-to-day operational activities of the project or programmes.
•  Good knowledge of computer operation of the MS Office applications, Internet and office technology equipment
•  Extent of technical and practical experience on the day-to-day operational activities of the project or programmes.
•  Communication, writing and presentation skills in English and Nepali.
• Ability to work with a multidisciplinary and multicultural team.
• Prior work experience with UN agencies, development partners, banks, and government of Nepal.
•  High degree of team ethics, well-organized, result focused and dynamic personality
•  Knowledge of local language is an advantage

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

To Apply Visit: jobs.fao.org