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IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
- FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
- Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply
- Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
- FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
- All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
- All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
Organizational Setting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
The position is located in the FAO Representation in Lusaka, Zambia.
FAO in collaboration with the research department of the Ministry of Agriculture [ZARI] and the University of Zambia is implementing a 4-year project, titled, “Soil mapping for resilient agrifood systems in Central America and sub-Saharan Africa” (SoilFER). The project is funded by the government of the United States of America, and has 5 beneficiary countries [ie. Zambia, Kenya, Ghana, Honduras and Guatemala]. Therefore, the successful candidate will ensure high-quality soil analysis and harmonization, adhering to international standards and best practices, over the 4-year period, on an annually renewed and performance-based contract.
Reporting Lines
Under the overall supervision of the FAO Country Representative, and the guidance of the Assistant FAOR – Programmes, in coordination with the project LTO and project Lead Technical Unit (NSL), the Soil Laboratories Specialist will ensure high-quality soil analysis and harmonization, adhering to international standards and best practices, and working closely with other consultants to ensure that results are integrated into the project’s relevant databases, on the Soil mapping for resilient agrifood systems in Central America and sub-Saharan Africa (SoilFER) project in Zambia. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the AFAOR-P, the National Project Coordinator and the SoilFER Overall Project Manager at FAO-HQ.
Tasks and Responsibilities
Specifically, the Soil Laboratories Specialist will undertake the following tasks on the assigned project;
• Oversee the processing of soil samples for wet and dry chemistry analysis in Zambia.
• Collaborate with project partners and laboratories to ensure accurate and timely soil analysis results.
• Support quality assurance and quality control measures for soil analysis processes, including the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Participate in capacity-building activities, such as workshops and trainings, to enhance national capacities in soil analysis and data management.
• Support the implementation of laboratory equipment procurement activities of the project.
• Track progress and assess the quality of soil analysis and harmonization activities.
• Facilitate the establishment of national soil laboratory network in Zambia.
• Provide input to project monitoring and reporting frameworks to ensure the effective implementation of soil analysis and harmonization efforts.
• Communicate project outcomes and lessons learned related to soil analysis and harmonization to relevant audiences.
• Establish and maintain relationships with project stakeholders, particularly national soil laboratories.
• Perform any other duties as assigned in the Representation
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• University Degree in Agricultural/Soil Science, Crop Science, or any related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in soil analysis [ie. wet and/or dry chemistry].
• Working knowledge of English and the official language of the country
• A Zambian national
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in managing or overseeing soil laboratory operations
• Experienced in soil sample analysis
• Experience in developing learning materials and/or standard operating procedures for soil labs
• Experience in training of soil lab personnel.
Selection Criteria
• Prior experience working with FAO or any UN agency will be considered an advantage
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing)
- Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted
- Please note that 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 http\://www.whed.net/
- For additional employment opportunities visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.
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
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp
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