National Professional Officer

Job Description National Professional Officer (Aromatic Plants Expert) Type of Requisition : NPO (National Professional Officer)

Primary Location: Saudi Arabia-Riyadh

Organizational Setting
The Programme Management Unit (PMU) of the FAO Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025) 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 MoEWA's Capacity to Implement the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme" is the first project that has been approved within the framework of FAO-Saudi Technical Cooperation Programme (2019-2025). 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 implementation of nine project components:

1. Development of coffee Arabica production, processing and marketing;
2. Development of beekeeping and honey production;
3. Development of rose production and trade;
4. Development of sub-tropical fruits production, processing and marketing;
5. Strengthening capacity of small-scale fishermen and fish farmers;
6. Strengthening capacity of small-scale livestock herders;
7. Development of rain-fed cereals production;
8. Enhancing value addition from smallholdings and rural activities;
9. 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

1. 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.
2. Promotes the image of FAO through advocacy of the Organization'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, etc.) in the country.
3. 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 monitor and communicate changes in national policies affecting the agricultural sector.
4. 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).
5. 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.
6. Briefs, trains and supervises lower grade level programme staff regarding all aspects of the job. Ensures adherence to procedures and work requirements and accuracy and diligence of the work provided.
7. Performs other duties as required.

Specific Functions

1. Coordinates with the National Project Coordinator, 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 inform the CTA of problems and obstacles that need attention and specific assistance.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Contributes to the development of a catalogue of major rose/jasmine diseases, pests and weed 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 pests and disease control services.
5. Assists in establishing and operating rose/jasmine nurseries and tissue culture laboratories to produce and distribute healthy seedling rose/jasmine.
6. Co-leads 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.
7. Supports the exposure of aromatic plants growers/producer/processers to regional or global experiences through targeted visits for experience.
8. 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.
9. Co-leads 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.
10. 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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

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 experience in project management.