FAO-Vacancy Announcements (National Agriculture Climate-Risks Early Warning Expert)

Vacancy Announcements

The FAO Representation to Timor-Leste in Dili is seeking for qualified candidates to fill in the following position for:

National Agriculture Climate-Risks Early Warning Expert

Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, and the day-to-day supervision of the Pro-Resilience Team Leader based in Dili and the National Disaster Risks Management/Climate Change Adaptation (DRM/CCA) Coordinator, with the technical support of the international DRM/CCA adviser, in liaison with all national technical unit and operation staffs, other FAO backstopping officers and other consultants, officials and government counterparts (national and municipal), the national Agriculture Climate-risks Early Warning Expert will be responsible for strengthening MAF capacity in climate-risks, particularly drought, early warning under the project activity 2.2.

The expert will undertake the following duties:

·         Establish proximity work relations with MAF ALGIS and DNSAC to build capacities and mobilise government resources (HR, logistic, financial) for building a robust climate-risks early warning system, particularly focusing on drought;

·         Lead, coordinate and guide the reinforcement of MAF/ALGIS climate risks early warning system under the project activity 2.2, in particular:

o    Work with FAO experts in Rome to refine the identification of drought monitoring, thresholds and triggers of early actions necessary to the implementation of the drought/multi-risks management plan;

o    Support the further calibration of ASIS to Timor-Leste, including the use of higher resolution imageries;

o    Train ALGIS staffs on drought early warning early action and ensure ASIS/agriculture drought monitoring analysis are conducted on a decadal basis;

o    Train MAF, NDRMD, KONSSANTIL members on the use of climate-risks/drought early warning system;

o    Include drought monitoring analysis results in the quarterly agromet and food security bulletins;

o    In collaboration with ALGIS and MAF senior management, develop an alert format and dissemination system in the event ASIS decadal shows drought events;

o    Facilitate the systematic drought analysis report from 35 years of remote sensing and climate data;

o    Quarterly Agromet bulletins published;

o    In collaboration with the National CSA/CA Institution and Community Mobilisation Coordinator, EW information disseminated to project FG.

·         Work closely with the output I project staff, in particular the Climate-Smart Agriculture institution and community mobiliser coordinator in linking EW information and identification of Early Actions with farmers’ CSA/CA and CBDRM activities;

·         Support administrative and reporting requirements under the project:

o    Participate and assist in the preparation of meetings for the project backstopping missions;

o    Assist the Team Leader in facilitating knowledge exchange among project partners as needed;

o    Assist the M&E officer to update the project dashboard monthly;

o    Support the monitoring of project activities for Output II and prepare monthly brief and yearly project progress reports;

·         Perform other related duties as required.

Start date/Duration: 01 June 2020/12 months (3-month probation period and possibility of further extension)

Duty Station: Dili, with in-country travel as required

Required competencies:

·         Minimum: Advance degree in agriculture science, agronomy, rural development (or related technical disciplines

Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements:

·           A minimum of ten years of relevant experience in the agriculture and rural development sector focusing on smallholder farming systems in Timor-Leste;

·           Familiar with the latest conservation agriculture technologies and practices, agro-forestry soil and water conservation and water harvesting technologies and practices being promoted by FAO,

·           Possess strong supervisory, communication, team building, report writing skills;

·           Demonstrated experience in working with and advising Government institutions at different administrative levels and with private sector organisations;

·           Ability to produce high quality work under pressure and meet all deadlines;

·           Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect diversity;

·           Ability to work with minimum supervision;

·           Fluency in spoken and written English;

·           A Timorese National.

         

The detailed terms of reference for the positions are available at: FAO office at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Comoro, Dili. Please submit your application with curriculum vitae and references to one of the following addresses: FAO Representation in Timor-Leste, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Avenida  Presidente Nicolao Lobato, No. 5. Comoro, Dili  OR Email to: FAO-TL@fao.org. Please DO NOT attach certificates and / or diplomas. They will be requested if needed.

The deadline for submitting applications is 15 March 2020.

Only short-listed candidates will be notified. FAO is an equal opportunities employer.

“Eligible female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.”