Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Job Description – DISTRICT AGRICULTURALIST/NUTRITIONIST (2201924)
Job Description
2201924
DISTRICT AGRICULTURALIST/NUTRITIONIST
Job Posting
:12/Jul/2022
Closure Date
:26/Jul/2022, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit:FRMLW
Job Type
:Non-staff opportunities
Type of Requisition:NPP (National Project Personnel)
Grade Level:N/A
Primary Location
:Malawi-Mzimba
Duration:12 Months (with possibility of extension)
Post Number:N/A
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
Organizational Setting
FAO assists governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to address hunger and malnutrition, and provides technical support for the sustainable development of their agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to respond to cries. FAO in collaboration with the Government of Malawi and with support of multiple development partners is implementing a wide range of activities to improve livelihoods of small-scale farmers as well as assisting a more inclusive and sustainable development in the country. FAO Malawi is currently supporting the Government to strengthen community-based resilience in vulnerable rural areas, facilitate a more sustainable management of natural resources and supporting nutrition-sensitive agriculture. Likewise, FAO provides and mobilizes technical assistance required by the country in areas related with agriculture production, agriculture economics and other areas relevant.
Reporting Lines
The National District Agriulturalist/Nutritionist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Malawi and Afikepo Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) and the direct supervision of the District Coordinator.
Technical Focus:
The National District Agriculturalist/Nutritionist will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the entire multi-sectoral activities at community level, providing training and support to District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC) members, Area Nutrition Coordinating Committees (ANCC), Village Nutrition Coordinating Committees (VNCCs), Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD) District Officers and relevant Extension Workers on nutrition and agriculture issues, establishing meaningful linkages with relevant stakeholders at district and community level to foster Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture activities.
Tasks and responsibilities
The incumbent will work more specifically:
Facilitate and supervise on a daily basis the establishment of Community-Based Facilitation Groups (CBFGs) and Community Outreach Group (through Care Groups – CG) at district level, supporting District Officers to identify Nutrition Care Groups and analyse the best way to group them;
Identify catchment areas per district in which children under 5 years of age and other vulnerable household members (pregnant women and adolescent girsl) are at risk of malnutrition to prioritize their targeting under Afikepo;
Support the Afikepo District Manager in the identification and follow up of the Community Based Facilitators trained and engage them in the creation and support of Community-Based Facilitation Groups (CBFGs) at Extension Planning Area (EPA) level;
Provide guidance and training on a monthly basis to Nutrition and Agriculture Extension Workers, particularly fostering exchange of knowledge and integration of activities at EPA and village level;
Monitor the provision of training at CBFGs and CG levels, facilitating the establishment of demonstrative plots, organizing Nutrition/Agriculture field days, cooking demonstrations, community-based learning activities that motivate behaviour change at household level;
Cascade training materials adapted to the district for Extension Workers or communities in close collaboration with Afikepo, FAO, and UNICEF technical teams;
Coordinate efforts with District Nutrition Coordination Committee (DNCC), ANCC, VNCC, Health, Agriculture and other relevant Government Counterparts at District Level to elaborate joint work plans and joint activities in the rural areas;
Work in collaboration with Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and other relevant partners in the district in order to foster positive synergies with Afikepo;
Facilitate data collection efforts at district and community level including behavior tracking, particularly guiding Afikepo team to gather relevant data on nutrition and agriculture, ensuring high quality standards;
Coordinate, draw linkages and synergize with Pillar 2, 3 and 4 of Afikepo and other projects with similar objectives in overlapping districts;
Facilitate linkages between the programme and value chains and market oriented platforms active in project districts in supporting smallholder farmers to produce for the market;
Provide on-the-job support to government counterparts, particularly to DNCC, District Health Office (DHO) and District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) staff;
Facilitate the exchange of information between Agriculture Extension and Nutrition Extension Government teams at district level and EPA level, and with other implementing partners as well;
Collect project implementing information as per requested by the District Coordinator and Afikepo Staff;
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition/Agriculture/Food Security/Food Science/Education with a bias towards Food and Nutrition obtained from a recognized University
Working knowledge of English andknowledge of local language would be an asset;
Experience in managing complex projects involving many partners;
FAO Core Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in development, management and monitoring of projects and programmes in agriculture, Nutrition, food security, nutrition-sensitive agriculture or rural development;
Proven experience in community mobilization;
Experience in identifying and promoting proven agricultural technologies that have potential to increase productivity, Nutrition and incomes;
Good knowledge of Government systems, NGOs and the UN will be an asset;
Excellent communication and team building skills;
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help please contact: Careers@fao.org
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website: http://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
Method Of Application
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT