National Agriculture Specialist

The National Agriculture Specialist will support the implementation of a Technical Cooperation Programme project in the Federated States of Micronesia to strengthen climate-resilient and nutrition-sensitive school garden systems. The role involves coordinating project activities, capacity development, stakeholder engagement, and monitoring and reporting to improve food security and nutrition outcomes among school-aged children.

Responsibilities

• Ensure project activities are implemented on time and in accordance with the approved workplan and FAO standards.
• Organize and facilitate inception meetings with national and local stakeholders.
• Establish coordination mechanisms for effective project implementation.
• Lead baseline survey development, administration and analysis.
• Oversee the identification and confirmation of pilot school(s).
• Coordinate site preparation, garden design, nursery establishment and compost production.
• Manage procurement of project inputs in line with FAO procedures.
• Supervise crop establishment, field management and harvesting activities.
• Coordinate provision of produce and logistical support for cooking demonstrations, culinary activities and nutrition education activities led by the National Food Safety and Nutrition Expert.
• Develop training materials and deliver capacity-building sessions on nursery management, compost production, agronomy and crop management, post-harvest handling.
• Coordinate three cropping cycles across five selected crops.
• Contribute to impact surveys and support behaviour change monitoring activities led by the National Food Safety and Nutrition Expert, particularly those relating to adoption of school gardening and local food production practices.
• Document success stories, lessons learned and good practices.
• Ensure timely delivery of project reports to FAO (monthly progress reports, a comprehensive final project report, and FAO terminal report).
• Respond to ad-hoc questions and perform other duties as required.

Requirements

• University Degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agriculture, Agronomy, Environmental Science, Rural Development, Natural Resource Management, Community Development or related field from a recognized institution.
• Minimum three years of relevant experience in agriculture, agricultural extension, crop production, school gardens, community-based agriculture, agricultural project implementation or related fields.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English.
• National of Federated States of Micronesia.
• Demonstrated experience in agriculture production, climate-resilient agriculture, agriculture extension, nutrition-sensitive agriculture or related field.
• Experience in school garden systems, community-based agriculture, agriculture extension, youth agriculture programmes or related agricultural initiatives.
• Experience in training delivery and capacity development.
• Experience in project coordination and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated monitoring and reporting experience.
• Knowledge of small island developing states (SIDS) contexts, particularly in the Pacific region.
• Experience working in the Federated States of Micronesia or Micronesia region is an asset.
• Strong writing and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), including familiarity with national and state-level institutions, community structures, and local agricultural contexts.

Skills

• Agricultural Extension
• Crop Production Systems
• Community-Based Agriculture
• Agricultural Project Implementation
• Climate-Resilient Agriculture
• Nutrition-Sensitive Agriculture
• School Garden Systems
• Youth Agriculture Programmes
• Training Delivery
• Capacity Development
• Project Coordination
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Knowledge of Small Island Developing States
• Agricultural Production
• Report Writing
• Food Security
• Nutrition Outcomes

Languages

English