Overview
Provide technical leadership and support on sustainable plant health management, focusing on prevention, surveillance, and control of priority pests and diseases affecting agricultural production. The role emphasizes strengthening national plant protection systems and promoting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of plant protection activities.
- Conduct field assessments to identify priority pests and diseases.
- Strengthen national pest monitoring and early warning systems.
- Provide technical guidance on the safe and responsible use of pesticides.
- Develop and deliver training programmes.
- Support the development and review of national plant protection policies.
- Prepare technical reports, briefs, and inputs for project proposals.
- Coordinate with ministries, research institutions, and other stakeholders.
- Provide technical backstopping to field demonstrations and emergency responses.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of plant protection activities.
- Contribute technical inputs in the development, implementation, and evaluation of programmes/projects.
- Participate in multidisciplinary teams.
- Provide advice to develop policies and strategies.
- Lead in capacity development activities.
- Ensure technical quality assurance and quality control.
- Ensure smooth project implementation through stakeholder meetings.
- Prepare detailed work plans for the project.
- Assist in the preparation of technical specifications of inputs, supplies, and equipment.
- Consult and communicate regularly with key project stakeholders.
- Represent FAO in interagency clusters and technical working groups.
- Draft Terms of Reference (ToR) for consultants.
- Coordinates the work of Consultants/Experts.
- Contribute to the preparation of Letters of Agreements (LoAs).
- Implement a robust monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system.
- Provide technical input to various written outputs.
- Provide advice and technical expertise to knowledge management activities.
- Document best practices, success stories and lessons learned.
- Assist in preparation of periodic progress and ad hoc reports.
- Contribute to preparation of reports (monthly, interim narrative and terminal donors’ reports).
- Perform other related duties and activities as required.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 6 years of relevant professional experience in plant health management, pest and disease surveillance, IPM implementation, or related technical areas.
- Experience with a UN Agency or International NGO is desirable.
- Proven experience in partnership development, capacity building, and knowledge management.
- Understanding of agricultural production systems, value chains, and rural development dynamics.
- Familiarity with international development practices and donor procedures is an asset.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in plant protection, entomology, plant pathology, agronomy, or a related field.
