Job Description Sugarcane Production Specialist
Primary Location
: Egypt-Cairo
Organizational Setting
The main aim of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO’s) Representation in Egypt, which is headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist the Government of Egypt to develop policies, programmes and projects to improve food security and nutrition, promote sustainable agricultural development, reduce rural poverty, develop inclusive agri-food systems and strengthen livelihood resilience – in line with the Organization’s Strategic Objectives and United Nations’ global and Government of Egypt’s national Sustainable Development Goals.
FAO is currently implementing a project titled “Support for the establishment of model guide fields in sugarcane growing areas in Upper Egypt.”. The main aim of the project is to Contribute to improving agricultural productivity of Sugarcane and managing natural resources (specifically water, land & fertilizers) through enhancing the technical capacity of Sugarcane smallholder producers in Egypt.
The position is located in Aswan.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of FAOR-EGY and Assistant FAOR for programmes, the direct supervision of the project Manager, the technical supervision of the lead technical Officer RNE, and in close collaboration with the FAO country office and project personnel, as well as Government counterparts and all stakeholders.
Technical Focus
The sugarcane production specialist will be responsible for providing the technical support to the sugarcane FFSs in the two regions of Edfu and Kom Ombo, as well as deliver a number of practical technical training sessions for the facilitators and extensionists from the agricultural directorate.
Tasks and responsibilities
The sugarcane production specialist will perform the following duties:
• Review best-cultivation practices to enhance yield and reduce post-harvest loss for both monoculture and mixed farming systems of sugarcane in Aswan governorate;
• Draft a training plan for the Farmer Field Schools focusing on sugarcane;
• Develop draft CSA curricula, for FFS facilitators and design CSA and Natural Resource Management (NRM) inputs needed for the FFSs-extension plots to be reviewed and cleared by LTO.
• Support Field coordinators and FFSs-facilitators providing participants of FFSs with group-based packages of sugarcane CSA and NRM equipment, tools, seedlings, chemicals, etc.
• Support the FFS facilitators to monitor and evaluate the farmers’ performance.
• Provide Backstop and monitor the FFSs facilitators to improve their performance.
• Guide the technical experts in the implementation of the activities to be implemented under the LOAs with the potential service providers
• When assistance is required, visit the sugarcane FFSs in each of the two locations, offer technical help, and stand by the facilitators of the FFSs.
• Monitor and contribute to the establishment and running of the sugarcane-FFSs and monitor and report the progress of the FFSs and demonstrations plots activities;
• Organize and support training sessions for farmers and extension officers on modern and sustainable sugarcane cultivation methods.
• Provide technical support in response to the priority needs of the farmer field schools supported under the project;
• Draft technical specifications for the procurement of agricultural inputs, tools and equipment and plan the quantities to be procured under the project and to be used for the training and for the sugarcane FFSs
• Deliver in a comprehensive technical report covering all sugarcane-related activities.
• Provide any other relevant technical assistance needed;
• Maintain the communication with the project staff for any advice could be raised;
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements • A bachelor's degree in plant production, agronomy, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of agricultural development of sugarcane, preferably in a field-based role.
• Working knowledge in the English and Arabic languages
• National of Egypt or resident in the country with a valid work permit.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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 or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at 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:
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