District Field Technician Full-Time

Organizational Setting

The post is based in Mozambique, specifically in the districts of Mecanhelas, Cuamba and Marrupa in Niassa province, where the Emergency agricultural livelihoods support to vulnerable displaced households, host communities and smallholder farmers in Niassa province (OSRO/MOZ/147/JPN) project is being implemented with the aim of mitigating the impact of conflict and climate shocks on the livelihoods of vulnerable communities, while laying the foundation to sustainably build resilient livelihoods against future shocks and stressors.

In Niassa province, where the major threats is related to climate hazards, such as the El Niño-induced drought, and then by heavy rains, with severe impact on agriculture production in its southern districts, the project envisages a mixed intervention aimed at contributing to livelihoods restoration (crop production, horticulture, small livestock), and capacity building, while strengthening the local market linkages towards enhanced food production and self-reliance while improving the adaptation, resilience and integration into sustainable value chains.

At the field level, FAO will provide technical assistance to Implementation Partners, including District Services for Economic Activities (SDAE), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and Producer Organizations promoting improved inputs and climate-smart agricultural practices (conservation agriculture, agroforestry, sustainable soil management, among others), and building the capacities of beneficiaries households and communities using Participatory Extension Methodologies, including Farmer Field Schools (FFS) approaches.

Reporting Lines

The District Field Technician will report directly to the National Project Coordinator, in close collaboration with the Project Experts, under overall supervision of the Emergency and Resilience Programme Manager.

Technical Focus

Participatory Extension Approaches, climate smart agriculture (CSA), sustainable soil management, seed multiplication, livestock production, market linkages, food security and nutrition.

Tasks and Responsibilities

• Support the National Project Coordinator in daily management, implementation and monitoring of the project activities at district level.
• Participate in the identification of the target areas and beneficiaries based on FAO vulnerability criteria developed by the project.
• Responsible for the coordination of the project activities in each targeted district.
• Coordinate the implementation of the activities with other experts providing technical support to the project.
• Contribute to the organization of the training activities targeting district technicians and community members on livestock and crop farming practices.
• Identify promising farmers households, associations and groups to act as partners in the project by promoting best practices.
• Supervise farmers and farmers groups/association engaged in local seed multiplication in the district.
• Conduct Field Days at district level to promote knowledge exchange on Good and Smart Agriculture Practices leading towards sustainable soil management.
• Assess training needs for beneficiaries’ households and groups and prepare a refreshment program (IPM, SSM, post-harvest management, value addition and processing/preservation, etc.).
• Coordinate with district extension supervisors in promotion of participatory extension activities (such as the FFS groups, or association network) on value chains and agrobusiness development.
• Monitor the activities of service providers contracted by the project to ensure that activities are completed within the specified timeframe and quality.
• Follow-up the implementation of the LOAs at district level.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing with stakeholders to ensure all staff members are aware of current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Collect data on project implementation and progress report, including the development of success stories and lessons learned.
• Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture or livestock.
• At least three years of technical and practical experience in two of the following areas: rural extension/FFS, seed production, horticulture, storage and post-harvest, livestock production and market linkages.
• Working knowledge of English and Portuguese.
• National of Mozambique.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of work with participatory extension methodologies.
• Prior experience in a supervisory position with problem solving and decision-making skills.
• Extensive professional experience working with development projects and project management particularly.
• Relevant experience in the implementation of FFS programs.
• Extent and relevance of experience in implementation of climate change adaptation and/or mitigation projects.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with government officials, development partners and other district level stakeholders.
• Good ability to develop working relationships, coordinate and solve problems.
• Proven experience in working with teams in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments.
• Previous experience with gender equality.

Selection Criteria

• Background experience on technical areas related to seed multiplication, value chain approaches, agroforestry, and market-oriented production in emergency or development projects implemented by NGOs or UN agencies.
• Experience in participating in survey using Kobo Collect and/or assessments for participatory identification of needs and priorities in the context or rural development or re-construction.
• Computer skills (MS Office and Internet Explorer).
• Have a 125cc motorbike driving license and experience in driving in difficult terrain (mandatory).
• Knowledge and skills to communicate with different categories of audiences.

Additional Information

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• 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.

How to Apply

• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp.