Project Officer (Farmer Field School)

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is dedicated to achieving food security for all and ensuring access to quality food for active, healthy lives. Operating in over 130 countries, FAO Country Offices provide policy advice and technical assistance aligned with national priorities and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. They focus on advocating for investments, delivering core services, mobilizing partnerships, and promoting sustainable agrifood systems transformation, while ensuring accountable and risk-smart operations. This position is based in the FAO Representation in Damascus, Syria.

Job Purpose

The Project Officer (Farmer Field School) will support the development, expansion, and coordination of FAO Syria's Farmer Field School (FFS) program, particularly within the 'Building Local Resilience in Syria (BLRS)' project and other relevant initiatives. This role involves ensuring a robust FFS curriculum, overseeing training, and supervising all FFS activities. The incumbent will lead and review the technical work of FFS implementers, contributing to sustainable agriculture and food security through a focus on livestock and plant production, protection, and value chain activities. Key contributions include developing integrated pest management strategies, climate-smart agriculture practices, and enhancing yields.

Responsibilities

The Project Officer will provide FFS expertise within multidisciplinary teams, contributing to project planning, implementation, and monitoring. This includes developing technical frameworks, methodologies, tools, and databases to support FFS programs. The role involves designing and conducting research, data collection, validation, and analysis to inform technical standards, innovative approaches, and policy proposals. The incumbent will prepare progress and end-of-assignment reports, support international cooperation on FFS best practices, and engage in policy dialogue. Responsibilities also include identifying areas for improved production and productivity for small producers, supporting FFS trainings and workshops, and organizing Training of Trainers (TOT) and Facilitators (TOF). The role contributes to establishing FFS activities for prioritized crops and livestock, ensuring gender integration, and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies. Technical guidance will be provided to farmers on production, processing, and marketing, and FFS field assessments will be conducted. The Project Officer will also respond to the FAO Representative's requests as needed.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of relevant experience is required in technical cooperation, policy advice, and analysis related to food and nutrition security, agriculture, rural development, fishery, forestry, and program monitoring and evaluation.

Skills

Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO language (level B) are required. Experience in multiple work locations, especially field positions, is desirable. Experience in running Training of Trainers (TOT), curriculum development, and direct FFS facilitation is beneficial. Strong experience in technical cooperation, policy advice, and analysis in food security and agriculture is valued. Experience working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams is important. An advanced degree in plant protection and production is desirable. Experience in agricultural extension, FFS activities, and institutional capacity building is an asset. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic (level B) is also an asset.

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