DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Research and Extension Unit provides advisory and technical services to FAO members to support an integrated approach to agricultural research, extension, education of rural people and communication for development. The efficiency of extension systems in sustainable agriculture and rural development for food security is a major concern of FAO's NR Department. Priorities of its work in agricultural extension include assessing alternative extension systems, policies, strategies, and approaches. Under the general supervision of the Chief, Research and Extension Unit, NRRR the incumbent will:

• advise the National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) in policy formulation and in the development of effective and efficient extension service provision, including systems comprised of public, private and civil society extension service providers;
• make recommendations for in the stregthening, revitalization and reform of extension systems in order to support the development, adaptation and dissemination of appropriate information, knowledge and technologies in support of food security and sustainable agricultural development;
• promote extension system reforms and strengthening that pay special attention to demand-led, decentralized and participatory advisory services, that meet the diverse needs of farmers and other rural people and especially women and marginal groups;
• make recommendations for establishment of sustainable funding mechanisms for national agricultural/rural extension systems;
• advise on the design elements to strengthen and reform extension systems, including governance structures, management, capacity building, methods and impact assessment;
• promote the innovative use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to develop and sustain effective functional linkages among national extension stakeholders with particular emphasis on farmer-extension-research linkages as well as links to such stakeholders as universities, NGOs and market actors, among others;
• advise in the identification, formulation and implementation of national, regional and international projects to strengthen capacities in agricultural/rural extension;
• liaise with donors, technical assistance organizations, national, regional and international extension organizations and networks on initiatives and activities to improve extension systems and advisory services;
• organize conferences, seminars, workshops and other events on agricultural extension;
• perform other related duties as required

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$ 126 349 US$ 148 882 (without dependants) and from US$ 136 005 to US$ 161 574 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 1997-NRR
Director, Research and Extension Division (NRR)
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 55731
E-mail: NRRR-VA@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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