DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall supervision of the Director, AGP, and under the direct supervision of the assigned senior officer, the incumbent will contribute to FAO’s Strategic Objective A on sustainable crop production intensification focusing on technical and policy support to national programmes with emphasis on optimization of plant nutrition and soil fertility management. The work will contribute directly to improving food security as well as the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through better management of plant nutrient inputs, in harmony with agro-ecological and socio-economic environments. In particular, will:

• Provide leadership in technical, economic and policy analysis and advice and programme formulation on optimization of plant nutrition and soil fertility including integrated nutrient management approach that contribute to intensified sustainable crop production;
• Facilitate dissemination of technical guidance, linked to support policy formulations, through an active partnership network involving, inter alia, in-country partnerships, regional and international bodies, private sector organizations and civil society;
• Guide programmes of capacity building to create a critical mass of linked national and international expertise to compile science-based understanding of major opportunities and challenges in plant nutrition and soil fertility management;
• Ensure provision of technical advice and policy support to FAO member countries, UN and specialized agencies, and global, regional and national partners, including intergovernmental organizations, for discussion and negotiation of agreements, standards and management practices to support plant nutrition optimization including fertilizer use;
• Guide, and supervise, the development of effective emergency and rehabilitation response policies, information tools and operating frameworks for fertilizer/plant nutrition-related emergency assistance;
• Collaborate with team members in the design, development and promotion of multi-disciplinary strategies and initiatives for enhancing linkages between plant nutrition/soil fertility management and sustainable intensification of crop production, and their greater integration within national agricultural policies;
• Guide enhancement of FAO’s knowledge and databases with respect to fertilizer use and its efficiency within major agro-ecosystems with particular attention to needs of smallholders;
• Perform other related duties as required.

* DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS EXTENDED FROM 11 SEPTEMBER TO 4 DECEMBER 2009

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

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.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

REMUNERATION

Level P-5 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 126,499 US$ 149,060 (without dependants) and from US$ 136,167 to US$ 161,767 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2219-AGP
Ms. L. Collette, Senior Officer, AGPS
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 56347
E-mail: VA-2219-AGP@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.

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