National Agriculture Specialist

Organizational Setting

The FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP), based in Apia, Samoa, coordinates FAO's work across 13 member countries and one Associate Member in the Pacific sub-region. SAP is responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing programmes to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities, and is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.
The Sustainable Transformation of Domestic Agrifood Systems (STODAS) project is a EUR 10 million initiative funded by the European Union Delegation (EUD) to the Pacific (EU reference: FED/2022/436-777; FAO project symbol: GCP/SAP/011/EC), implemented across Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands. A No-Cost Extension (NCE) has been approved extending the project from 1 August 2026 to 31 January 2028, bringing the total project duration to 54 months. The project works toward the following three outputs:

•     Output 1: Strengthened policy and institutional environment in support of national agrifood systems transformation agenda
•     Output 2: Strengthened sustainable and community-based production systems
•     Output 3: Strengthened capacities for sustainable agrifood systems

The project is directly implemented by FAO, in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry (MOAWSI), Samoa Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF), and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL). In Fiji, the Business Assistance in Fiji (BAF) is also a key partner institution. The majority of project interventions are implemented through Letters of Agreement (LOAs) and service contracts with government ministries, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and research institutions, aimed at a sustainable, resilient transformation of agricultural production and consumption led by local actors and stakeholders. The project will fill National Agriculture Specialist position in Suva (Fiji) with a focus on the production-related activities under Output 2. This Vacancy Announcement relates to the position based in Suva, Fiji.

Reporting Lines

The National Agriculture Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Pacific Islands and the direct supervision of the Programme Manager. Day-to-day operational guidance will be provided by the STODAS International Programme Specialist based at FAOSAP in Apia.
The National Agriculture Specialist must work closely with the National Project Coordinator (NPC) and National Administration and Logistics Support Assistant for Fiji and equally with the STODAS Focal Point in the Fiji Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry (MOAWSI). The National Agriculture Specialist will receive necessary technical guidance from the project's International Agriculture Specialist(s) and the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) and Co-LTO to ensure productive liaison between FAO and the agriculture ministry on technical aspects of the agriculture and livestock production interventions under Output 2.

Technical Focus

The National Agriculture Specialist provides subject matter expertise at the national level to assist in the technically effective and timely implementation of the STODAS project in Fiji, focusing on Output 2 production-related activities: Activity 2.1 (Enhance domestic crop production, productivity and value addition) and Activity 2.2 (Promote enhanced domestic livestock production). The role is responsible for technical liaison between FAO, the Government of Fiji and Service Providers; identification of community-based production systems; capacity assessment of potential implementing partners; and monitoring of the delivery and distribution of FAO-procured agricultural and livestock inputs.

Tasks and responsibilities

Planning and Assessment

●    Prepare assignment workplan with methodology for prioritization, information requirements, sequencing and timeline; submit to FAO within two weeks.
●    Consult STODAS Focal Point and MOAWSI to identify community production systems aligned with project objectives, assessing crop, fruit, vegetable, poultry and livestock systems including needs, gaps, challenges, opportunities and market linkages.
●    Maintain knowledge of FAO procurement (MS 502) and Letter of Agreement (MS 507) requirements and support their application for Output 2 activities.

Service Provider Identification and Capacity Assessment

●    Facilitate engagement between FAO and qualified Service Providers; support their registration as competitive bidders.
●    Obtain information and documentation from Service Providers and government ministries for LOA and service contract development, extension and closure.
●    Support technical review of agricultural and livestock input specifications to ensure alignment with beneficiary needs.
●    Assist International Procurement Specialist with technical clearances, procurement submissions and audit-ready file maintenance.

Monitoring of Procured Goods and Service Provider Performance

●    Monitor Service Provider implementation and FAO-procured goods distribution per Fiji workplan and agreements; recommend improvements to NPC, M&E Specialist and International Specialists.
●    Maintain accurate records of Service Provider performance, monitoring findings and corrective actions for all Output 2 LOAs and contracts.

Capacity Building and Training Delivery

●    Build Service Provider capacity on beneficiary selection, reporting requirements, verification means and contractual obligations.
●    Deliver training workshops and consultations collaborating with NPC, MOAWSI and CSO partners.
●    Develop Terms of Reference for workshops, events and meetings with STODAS Focal Point.
●    Support STODAS events and National Taskforce meetings; prepare completion notes with gender-disaggregated participant lists within five working days.
●    Coordinate with International Agriculture Specialists to incorporate updated crop and livestock guidance into training materials.

Crop Production Support (Activity 2.1)

●    Support capacity strengthening in crop productivity, soil health, organic manure use and improved farming practices through Service Providers, extension services and farmer field schools.
●    Promote crop diversification, integrated farming systems and climate-resilient practices including conservation agriculture, protected cultivation, hydroponics and improved irrigation.
●    Follow through with MOAWSI on strengthening seed and nursery systems and establishing crop production sites and demonstration plots as learning platforms.
●    Promote sustainable pest management and ecological alternatives to hazardous pesticides.
●    Support LOA development with MOAWSI and CSOs on agribusiness incubation, commercialization and integrated production models; improve post-harvest handling and value addition for banana, cocoa, vegetables and fruits to reduce losses and enhance economic returns.
●    Support market infrastructure development and linkages to domestic and high-value markets including tourism.
●    Promote school, community and household gardens with nutrition education.

Livestock Production Support (Activity 2.2)

●    Follow through on establishment of livestock feed systems, commercial feed production units and demonstration sites.
●    Support improved poultry and livestock production through enhanced breeds and scalable production models across poultry, pigs, cattle, small ruminants and apiculture.
●    Support livestock enterprise development, particularly poultry and piggery value chains for import substitution.
●    Promote sustainable livestock waste management including biogas systems and integrated farming.
●    Promote appropriate livestock housing, fencing and production facility solutions with biosecurity strengthening.
●    Build farmer capacity through training on livestock production, health management and value addition.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

●    Maintain effective communication with NPC, STODAS Focal Point, Service Providers and FAO SAP teams.
●    Ensure technical outputs, training materials and documentation comply with FAO standards and EU Communication and Visibility requirements.
●    Support communications consultant in collecting photographs and preparing knowledge products from Output 2 activities.
●    Respond promptly to technical requests per FAO procedures.

Other Duties

●    Submit monthly progress reports highlighting achievements, challenges and Service Providers needing support.
●    Support M&E Specialist in data collection and annual progress reports.
●    Undertake additional technical or coordination duties assigned by PS or NPC.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     University degree in agriculture, agronomy, animal science, agricultural economics, rural development or a closely related field. An advanced university degree is an asset.
•     At least three years of relevant experience in agricultural or livestock development, agricultural extension, or the implementation of agriculture and rural development projects.
•     Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English.
•     National of Fiji.

FAO Core Competencies

•     Results Focus
•     Teamwork
•     Communication
•     Building Effective Relationships
•     Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Demonstrated technical knowledge of crop and/or livestock production systems in Fiji or comparable Pacific Island contexts, including climate-resilient and climate-smart agricultural practices.
•     Experience working with government ministries, in particular the Ministry of Agriculture, Waterways and Sugar Industry (MOAWSI), CSOs, farmer organisations and research institutions in Fiji is a strong asset.
•     Familiarity with donor-funded project implementation modalities, including Letters of Agreement, service contracts and procurement processes; experience with FAO or other UN agencies is an asset.
•     Experience in monitoring and evaluation of field-level activities, including verification of the delivery and distribution of agricultural inputs.
•     Demonstrated capacity to design and deliver training, workshops and extension support to farmers, Service Providers and government counterparts.
•     Excellent written and verbal communication skills; working knowledge of Fijian (iTaukei) and Fiji Hindi is a strong asset.
•     Ability to travel regularly to field sites across different districts and Islands.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION