The FAO Representation in Bangladesh is inviting applications from qualified and highly experienced candidates to the following vacant position in Barisal district to be filled as soon as possible under the project UTF/BGD/040/BGD “Recovery of the Agriculture Sector and Improvement Programme in Cyclone Sidr-Affected Areas”. The incumbents will be recruited as National Project Personnel:
Issued on: 27 March 2012
Dead line for Application: 19 April 2012
Position Title:
National Agronomist
Duration:
12-months
Location:
Barisal (Field Office)
Post Number:
n/a
Organization Unit:
FAO UTF/BGD/040/BGD
Background:
One of the objectives of in the crops sub-component of Component A of the Emergency 2007 Cyclone Recovery and Restoration Project (ECRRP) is to introduce improved technologies to improve land use during different agronomic season (dry season during which many areas are not suitable for growing crops due to high salinity levels and scarcity of water to irrigate) and to introduce improved crops and technologies for increasing total production to improve the resilience of communities and poor households in cyclone prone areas. Emphasis should be on the introduction of cropping technologies suitable for the saline environment of Southern Bangladesh.
Tasks:
The Agronomist will be responsible for the following tasks:
- Liaise with the 13 Upazila Agriculture Offices (UAOs) and follow-up on the proper identification of beneficiaries and ensuring that beneficiaries lists for the concerned Upazilas and for the different types of project inputs are submitted and made available to the project (hard copies) in due time; and ensure that the project inputs are being allocated and distributed to appropriate areas and received by the selected beneficiaries.
- Help & implement modern agronomic practices as per advice of Cell team leader.
- Support and supervise the monitoring the crops baseline survey and need assessments activities of the project;
- Review on a sample basis the experiences of agricultural diversification programmes which were considered and implemented in coastal areas of Bangladesh, and review the causes for success or failures as to why high yielding crops/varieties have not diffused effectively in the cyclone affected areas of southern Bangladesh in light of the prevailing agro ecology, farmer’s insights, market dynamics and consumer’s thinking;
- Determine the causes for these technologies not having gained popular acceptance in coastal districts. An understanding of the causes of non-adoption may enable to select more appropriate crops and production methods with potential acceptance in the project area.
- Identify global good practices that may potentially be applied in the saline and socio-cultural environment of the project areas in Southern Bangladesh;
- Recommend the most appropriate improved crops for landless, marginal and small farmers affected by Cyclone Sidr considering their existing and potential cropping patterns;
- Evaluate, on a quantitative sample basis, whether farmers have the knowledge and utilize the appropriate balanced amounts of fertilizer;
- Survey and monitor the beneficiaries of crop inputs, along with the performance of technologies delivered by the project (i.e. collecting average sample yield data of the project provided crops from each Upazila under different soil type/growing conditions).
- Submit regular monthly reports on activities carried out and on data collected;
Reporting:
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh (FAO-R), the technical oversight of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and the Agronomist - Cell Team leader of the ECRRP Project.
Qualifications:
A higher university degree in agriculture with specialization in agronomy/cropping systems and/or farming systems.. The Agronomist shall be very familiar with the small-scale farming systems found in Bangladesh and shall possess an extensive experience in the field of improved and appropriate technologies and crop diversification.
Experience: A minimum of 15 years of developing and promoting appropriate crop diversification, and working knowledge in helping farmers adopting new technologies within the context of agricultural and rural development. Working experience in the Sothern belt will be an added qualification.
Scope of Work:
Review past development interventions (success and failures) and review strategies for the improvement and diversification of agricultural production by groups of landless, marginal and small farmers, taking into account the cropping calendars, agro-ecological conditions and market opportunities in cyclone Sidr-affected areas of Southern Bangladesh.
Language:
Working knowledge (level C) of the FAO official language used for communication within the country (English) and working knowledge of the local language(s) is required.
IT Skills:
Excellent operational knowledge of the functionality of standard office software such as MS Windows and MS Office.
Work Management Skills:
Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, analytical ability, accuracy and consistency. Exercise diligence and care in dealing with records and information. Ability to carry out and manage a high number of diverse simultaneous assignments and able to cope with an increased volume of work during peak periods.
Interpersonal Communications and Teamwork Skills:
The incumbent must possess a cooperative spirit, flexibility and openness to work in an international environment within a team of staff with mixed skills and different national and cultural backgrounds. S/he must be willing to share information, tasks and ideas to ensure efficient teamwork and achievement of shared goals. S/he must be able to establish good working relations and liaise with supervisor(s), staff members, and counterparts from within and outside the Organization. The incumbent must be able to give productive advise and guidance to internal and external officers; thereby tact and courtesy are essential personal attributes. A high level of trustworthiness is required.
Duty Station: Barisal
Duration: One year
Application Guidelines:
Interested candidates will find the Personal History Form (PHF) required for the application to the link . Completed PHF must reach the FAO Representation to the address below in a sealed envelope no later than 19 April 2012
FAO Representation in Bangladesh
House#37, Road# 8
Dhanmondi, Dhaka- 1205
Application not submitted through the filled PHF will be discarded. Please do not submit any certificates/documents with your application.
Candidates not possessing the essential qualifications should not apply as their application will not be considered. The name of the position must be clearly indicated in the envelope.
Any persuasion will disqualify the candidate; only short listed candidates will be invited for the interview