Organizational Setting

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 United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve food security and nutrition. FAO’s goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to lead active and healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Country Offices, operating under overall corporate guidance and in line with the FAO Strategic Framework, provide policy advice and technical support to countries in FAO’s mandated areas. They work through partnerships, resource mobilization and active country programmes to deliver technical assistance, strengthen national capacities and provide core services, while fully observing international standards of accountability and results-based management. The offices deliver on national programmatic priorities as articulated in their respective Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), aligned to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources.

In Papua New Guinea, FAO implements a portfolio of country-level Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) projects that provide targeted, timely and demand-driven technical assistance to support national priorities in agriculture, food security, nutrition, livelihoods and sustainable agrifood systems. The TCP portfolio supports capacity development, evidence-based policy and programme formulation, stakeholder coordination, and the delivery of practical field-level interventions. TCP implementation is carried out under the overall leadership of the FAO Head of Office in Papua New Guinea and in close coordination with programme, operations and technical teams, ensuring strong project cycle management, alignment with national strategies and FAO corporate frameworks, effective partnerships, knowledge sharing and accountable use of resources.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office for FAO PNG, direct supervision of the National Project Specialist, with technical guidance from the Head of Programme and administrative guidance from the Head of Operations Officer, in close collaboration with the relevant project personnel, and other FAO PNG team members the incumbent will work with the Department of Agriculture & Livestock  (DAL) and relevant government stakeholders, cooperatives, and farmer groups to support the implementation of activities under TCP/PNG/4006.

Technical Focus

Support the implementation of agri-food systems and crop production activities, including development of cropping plans, establishment of demonstration farms and nurseries, farmer training on horticulture and post-harvest practices, and promotion of climate-resilient agriculture to strengthen food security and livelihoods in Papua New Guinea.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Develop an individual workplan outlining expected deliverables, key activities and timelines for the assignment 
•     Prepare practical cropping plans (planting, cultivation, harvesting) to enable consistent local food production for beneficiary household to promote food security for households/communities
•     Provide guidance and recommend high-yielding, pathogen tested clean planting materials for local food production
•     Coordinate the distribution of planting materials, ensuring proper documentation of quantities and a disaggregated list of beneficiary recipients.
•     Conduct simple soil quality assessments and recommend sites suitable for food crop production when required
•     With the support of the local community, lead the efforts of establishment of demonstration farms showcasing best practices of sweet potatoes and vegetable production
•     Support the affected community to enhance dietary diversity and nutritional intake though increased vegetable production
•     Lead the establishment of a demo vegetable nursery for seedling production for planting and distribution
•     Prepare and conduct training of lead farmers on vegetable garden production form site selection, soil management, pest and disease management harvesting, post- harvesting and food preparation.
•     Support the integration of Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) for vulnerable communities during disasters/emergencies and for project beneficiaries

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Advanced university degree (Master’s degree) in Agronomy, Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agri-Food Systems, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a closely related field. A Bachelor’s degree in the above fields combined with additional two years of relevant experience may be considered 
•     Minimum of five (5) years of proven experience in agriculture, agri-food systems development, or agronomic advisory services
•     Working knowledge of English
•     National of Papua New Guinea

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 supporting agricultural development activities across different locations or with multiple stakeholders.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in designing and implementing agricultural related development programmes or projects
•     Extent and relevance of experience in supporting policy development, strategy formulation, or technical guidelines in the agriculture sector.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in collaborating with development partners, NGOs, or UN agencies is an asset.
•     Extent and relevance of experience in agri-food systems analysis and systems-based approaches.
•     Familiarity with conducting field assessments, stakeholder consultations/coordination, and technical reporting.
•     Familiarity with and knowledge of PNG’s agricultural systems, food security challenges, and rural livelihoods.
•     Excellent report writing and analytical skills.
•     Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
•     Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION