National Professional Officer (Sub-Tropical Fruits Breeder)

FAO; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 50,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks a National Professional Officer to drive sustainable agricultural practices in subtropical fruit production. This role involves managing and coordinating projects, engaging with local and international stakeholders, and promoting effective agricultural policies. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise to enhance food security and support rural development initiatives. If you are passionate about making a significant impact in agriculture and possess the necessary qualifications, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of experience in subtropical fruits development and project management.
• Proficient in Arabic and intermediate English.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates with stakeholders for project implementation and progress monitoring.
• Leads technical studies and develops project proposals.

Skills

Subtropical fruits development

Project management

Policy analysis

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Advanced university degree in horticulture

Tools

Data analysis tools

Job description

Reporting Lines

The National Professional Officer reports directly to the FAO Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in consultation with the Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the project, and collaborates with the Chief Technical Adviser of the Sustainable Rural Agricultural Development Programme.

Technical Focus

Programme development and management, coordination, and operational support based on knowledge of local conditions, culture, language, and institutions 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. Participates in policy dialogue, advises government authorities, and liaises with local, national, and international institutions in FAO's areas of activity; represents FAO at inter-agency meetings.
2. Promotes FAO's image through advocacy, communication tools (website, press releases, publications), and supports FAO's regulatory frameworks in the country.
3. Coordinates and manages the maintenance of country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries; monitors changes in national policies affecting agriculture.
4. Leads the production of technical, economic, and policy studies; develops country-level development frameworks like CPF and UNDAF.
5. Identifies, formulates, and coordinates the preparation of programme and project proposals; monitors implementation and recommends improvements.
6. Briefs, trains, and supervises lower-grade staff; ensures adherence to procedures and accuracy of work.

Specific Functions

1. Advises and coordinates with the FAO Programme Coordinator; liaises with PMU and MoEWA to ensure cooperation and monitor project progress.
2. Works closely with 'Project Focal Points' for implementation, reporting, and coordination of meetings.
3. Leads review of subtropical fruits value chain; directs diagnostic studies for sector development.
4. Contributes to promotion of sustainable agricultural practices, crop water assessments, and development of disease/pest catalogues and IPM programs.
5. Supports technical testing of irrigation and water harvesting technologies, post-harvest interventions, nursery and tissue culture units, and distribution of high-yielding seedlings.
6. Oversees preparation and dissemination of project outputs and knowledge products.
7. Develops partnerships to share innovations and good practices in subtropical fruit production, processing, and marketing.
8. Develops post-harvest technologies, marketing strategies, and value chain analysis for the agrifood incubation program.
9. Analyzes small farmers' cooperatives, develops pilot business models, and assists in contract farming and marketing strategies.
10. Identifies training needs and promotes adoption of farm mechanization and irrigation scheduling.
11. Coordinates with national stakeholders, including MoEWA, for timely activities and problem reporting.
12. Supports social, qualitative, and quantitative studies on gender, family, entrepreneurship, migration, and youth participation.
13. Ensures timely completion of SRADP investments and infrastructure components.

Minimum Requirements

1. Saudi Arabian nationality.
2. Advanced university degree in horticulture, plant breeding, or related field.
3. At least seven years of relevant experience in subtropical fruits development, processing, marketing, or project management in Saudi Arabia.
4. Proficient in Arabic (Level C) and intermediate English (Level B).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical / Functional Skills

• Experience in multiple locations or field positions preferred.
• Experience in subtropical fruits development, processing, and marketing.
• Understanding of UN/FAO programme management procedures.
• Experience in policy analysis related to food security, agriculture, and rural development.
• Experience in collecting country data on food, crops, livestock, forestry, and fisheries.
• Experience in project proposal development, implementation, and monitoring.
• Experience in Saudi Arabia is a strong asset.

Please adhere to FAO Values: Commitment, Respect, and Integrity.