FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 1375-TCI
Deadline For Application:  17 February 2005
Position Title AGRONOMIST
Duty Station Rome, Italy
Grade Level P-5
Duration Fixed-Term: Three Years
CCOG Code: 1.E.0.2
Organizational Unit Latin American and the Caribbean Service Investment Centre DivisionTechnical Cooperation Department

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall guidance of the Director, Investment Centre Division, and the general supervision of the Service Chief, TCIL, to participate in the work of the Investment Centre in the field of agriculture as applied principally to sector and subsector work and to the formulation and analysis of agricultural investment projects and programmes. Specifically to:

  • lead and participate in multidisciplinary teams to assist governments of developing countries and countries in transition in the identification and preparation of investment projects in the fields of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and natural resources;
  • lead and participate in multidisciplinary teams for project supervision and for the preparation of project completion reports, and participate in pre-appraisal and appraisal missions led by international financing institutions;
  • review agricultural and natural resources sector plans, programmes and projects for rural development for their investment implications and their technical and environmental feasibility;
  • analyse the constraints and potential of the agricultural situation in developing countries and countries in transition with emphasis on agricultural institutions and services, and including agricultural research, rural extension, information services and plant and animal health;
  • analyse farming systems and identify and formulate development alternatives through the preparation of farm development models for financial and economic analysis; critically assess factors which affect the rate at which farmers might adopt proposed technology improvements;
  • prepare clear and concise reports following requirements of the World Bank and other international financing institutions;
  • participate in reviews of reports and in FAO activities concerned with agricultural studies and in the formulation of technical assistance projects, particularly for their investment linkages;
  • assist the Service Chief, TCIL, on field mission organization; advise on the selection of consultants for short- and medium-term assignments and prepare terms of reference and supervise their work;
  • perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced university degree in agriculture or in a closely related field.
  • Ten years of relevant experience in planning and implementing agricultural development programmes including elaboration of feasibility studies and relevant field work in developing countries and/or countries in transition.
  • Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Relevance of experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams for agricultural projects formulation and in addressing issues related to restructuring of agricultural institutions and agricultural services;
  • Experience in dealing with senior staff of government and exposure to work with multilateral financing institutions;
  • Experience in land use planning, watershed management, sustainable use of tropical soils and in using software for computerized farm modelling techniques;
  • Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing;
  • Initiative, high sense of responsibility and ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of others;
  • Extent of knowledge of FAO languages; knowledge of Portuguese is considered an asset.

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

REMUNERATION

Level P-5 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 104052 US$ 122623 (without dependants) and from US$ 112004 to US$ 133066 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 1375-TCI
Selim Mohor, Chief, TCIL, Investment Centre
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 54657
E-mail: TCI-Registry@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

  FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

  Post Number: C/0023329