National Professional Officer Aromatic Plants Expert

Organizational Setting The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme facilitates, coordinates and manages all technical and advisory services to be provided by FAO to the Saudi Ministry of Environment Water and Agriculture (MoEWA). The project UTF / SAU / 051 / SAU Strengthening MoEWAs Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO's Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme. The project will provide technical and advisory assistance to the MoEWA in implementing its flagship sustainable rural agricultural development programme that has recently been approved within the context of the National Transformation Programme of the Saudi Vision 2030. The project expected results will be achieved through the implementation of nine project components:

• Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing
• Development of beekeeping and honey production
• Development of rose production and trade
• Development of subtropical fruits production, processing and marketing
• Strengthening capacity of small scale fishermen and fish farmers
• Strengthening capacity of small scale livestock herders
• Development of rainfed cereals production
• Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities
• Strengthening MoEWA's capacity in sustainable management of rangelands, forests and natural resources to support rural livelihoods

The post is located in the Programme Management Unit of the FAO Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme in Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines The National Professional Officer (Aromatic Plants Expert) reports to the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He / she works in close cooperation and consultation with the Technical Adviser of the Component Development of rose production and trade.

Technical Focus Programme development and management coordination and operational support based on the knowledge of the local conditions, culture, language and institutions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Key Results Effective and efficient management and coordination of the technical and operational support of the programme and project.

Key Functions Advises and liaises with government authorities, local, national and international institutions in the areas of FAO's activities and other UN agencies. Represents FAO at inter agency meetings. Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organisation's mandate, programmes, national priorities and activities including the coordination of development and maintenance of communication tools such as website, press releases and publications; provides FAO's information, knowledge and resources to government, NGOs, the private sector and other local entities on food, nutrition and agriculture situations; and supports the implementation of FAO's regulatory frameworks (Codex Alimentarius, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries, Safe Use of Pesticides, the country). Coordinates and manages the maintenance of country data on food crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries including information on external aid in FAO's corporate systems and monitors and communicates changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector. Produces technical, economic and policy studies as required and participates in the development of country level development frameworks such as the Country Programming Framework (CPF) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). Identifies, formulates and prepares programme and project proposals, monitors and reviews the status of the programme/project implementation to ensure that all operational activities are carried out in line with the work plan and the project document; identifies inconsistencies and delays and submits proposals to the FAO Representative on how to improve results and increase efficiency. Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job. Ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and the accuracy and diligence of the work provided. Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

• Coordinates with the National Project Coordinator and national stakeholders to ensure close working relations with MoEWA branches and other local authorities to ensure timely conducting of country activities including contractual arrangements and informs the CTA of problems and obstacles that need attention and specific assistance.
• Assists the comprehensive aromatic plants / roses sector review and diagnostic studies of rose and jasmine production, processing and trade to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector.
• Contributes to the identification, pilot testing and promotion of sustainable and efficient best agronomic practices among rose / jasmine small growers, including the cultivation of improved, climatically well adapted, pest resistant and high yield rose / jasmine cultivars / varieties.
• Contributes to the development of a catalogue of major rose / jasmine diseases and pests in the target regions and the development and implementation of an integrated pest management (IPM) Programme for the control of rose / jasmine pests and diseases to ensure access of rose / jasmine growers to pest and disease control services.
• Assists in establishing and operating rose / jasmine nurseries and tissue culture laboratories to produce and distribute healthy seedling rose / jasmine.
• Coleads the preparation of quarterly and semi annual project component progress reports, terminal report and identifies lessons learned, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving performance.
• Supports the exposure of aromatic plants growers / producers / processors to regional or global experiences through targeted visits for experience.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written project component outputs e.g. background papers, sector reviews, technical reports, sections of reports and studies, manuals, guidelines and checklists as well as knowledge products.
• Coleads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the south and north for aromatic plants (rose and jasmine) production and trade.
• Provides support in the design and organization of social, qualitative and quantitative studies including but not limited to gender mainstreaming, productive family issues, entrepreneurship, internal migration and with respect to rural people and youth participation and opinion considerations.

Minimum Requirements National of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Advanced university degree in plant production / breeding, agronomy or any other related field.

Five years of relevant experience in development of aromatic plants and trade and / or project management in the field of sustainable rural agricultural development.

Working knowledge (proficient level C) of Arabic and limited knowledge (intermediate level B) of English.

Competencies Results Focus

Teamwork

Communication

Building Effective Relationships

Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical / Functional Skills Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.

Extent and relevance of experience in development of aromatic production.

Demonstrated understanding of the purpose and functions of the technical programme, operational guidelines and project / programme management procedures preferably those adopted by the United Nations or FAO.

Extent and relevance of experience in the field of policy analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development.

Extent and relevance of experience in the collection of country data on, in any fields of food, crops, livestock, forestry and fisheries.

Extent and relevance of experience in the identification, formulation and preparation of programme and project proposals as well as programme / project implementation, monitoring and review.

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.

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

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