Agricultuture $ Environmental

 

Vacancy Announcement No: FAO/32/2015
 

Issued on: 09 October 2015

Deadline for Application: 22 October 2015

Position Title: Innovation and Learning Assistant

Grade Level: SC3

Contract type: Service Contract    
 

Duty Station: Nairobi 

Organizational Unit: FAO-Somalia
 

Duration: 3 months     
 

Eligible Candidates: Kenyan nationals only

Anticipated start date: Immediately    

General description of tasks and objectives to be achieved:Under the overall supervision of the Officer in Charge for Somalia and the Agriculture Sector Coordinator and under the general supervision of the relevant technical divisions in FAO and the direct supervision of the Innovation and Learning Officer, the selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks:

1. Assist in the coordination support to field activities related to implementation of agricultural projects in the area of innovation and learning innovation activities and pilot trials on livelihoods, as per needs;
2. Assist in technical supervision and maintenance of field plots/activities related to testing/evaluation of new technologies;
3. Assist in the provision of techical recommendations and guidance for the development of innovation/pilot trials protocols.
4. Support the design of data collection forms /processes/tools specifically related to the innovation and learning activities of the agriculture sector.
5. Data entry and analysis from field activities and innovation/pilot trials and elaboration of activities’ reports.
6. Contribute to the identification of innovation gaps to conduct sustainable crop production intensification and good agronomic practices in Somalia;
7. Contribute to the learning process of the sector: identification of information/communication gaps and production of communication and learning materials for the sector.
8. Collaborate in developing of extension and training materials specifically adapted for farmers and technical staff related to new technologies, capturing lessons learned from field activities;
9. Assist in the extension and capacity building to local/national stakeholders on the ground, related to innovation, testing of new technologies and learning porcess;
10. Assist in the drafting of LoAs, clearing financial and technical reports of service providers when relevant;
11. Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

Education 

• Completion of Secondary Education. Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Education and Extension will be an advantage.

Work Experience:

• Minimum of two years of relevant work experience supporting Agriculture projects in an International organization.

Technical Competencies

• Knowledge of the agricultural systems in the Horn of Africa region;
• Certificate in Innovation and Transformation (Facilitating agricultural innovations) will be desirable
• Experience in supporting extension and communication materials related to innovation in agriculture.
• Experience supporting extension and agricultural-related training to farmers and local stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience on conducting research and producing publications on peer reviewed journals;
• Experience in the Project Management Cycle (PMC)

Languages:

• Working knowledge (level C) of the FAO official language used for communication within the country and working knowledge of the local language is required.

IT Skills:

• Ability to effectively use standard office software, such as MS Office (Windows, Word, Outlook, Excel, Exchange) etc. 
• Ability to use accounting software and other information systems and databases to insert data, make enquiries, retrieve/define ad hoc reports and analyses and edit results in appropriate format.

Office Management Skills:

• Systematic, well-structured and efficient approach to work assignments. 
• Analytical ability, accuracy and consistency. 
• Exercise diligence and care in dealing with records and expenditures.

Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork Skills:

• The incumbent must possess a cooperative spirit, flexibility and openness to work in an international environment. 
• Tact and courtesy.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural background.  

How to Apply: 

Interested applicants are required to submit

(1) a covering letter, 

(2) detailed Curriculum Vitae and

(3) Personal Profile form (PPF) from FAO iRecruitment. 

To create the PPF, please follow the instructions available at:http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ 

In order for your application to be properly evaluated, please ensure that all sections of the on-line profile are completed.

Please send your application to HR-Somalia@fao.org quoting the Position Title and Vacancy Announcement No. “Innovation & Learning Assistant FAO 32 2015” in the subject heading.