Technical Project Assistant

Organizational Context

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Iraq leads programmes addressing food security, agriculture, and rural development, collaborating closely with national and local authorities. This position, based in Basra, supports the field-level implementation of agricultural activities, with a specific focus on date palm production systems and farmer support initiatives within the region.

Job Purpose

The role is designed to provide crucial support for the implementation of various agricultural activities. This includes assisting with crop management, integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, and effective post-harvest practices. A key component involves supporting farmer field schools (FFS) and ensuring the accurate management of project data. The primary focus will be on activities related to date palm cultivation and its associated value chains, contributing to the overall success of FAO's agricultural programmes in Iraq.

Responsibilities

The Technical Project Assistant will support the technical team in meetings, workshops, and conferences. Responsibilities include assisting with crop management and the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) in orchards, as well as supporting crop protection and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) activities. The role involves assisting in post-harvest treatments, processing, and marketing. Contributions to technical documents and training materials are expected. Logistical arrangements for trainings, events, and field visits, including travel for project teams and counterparts, will be handled. Maintaining office files and documentation is essential. The assistant will liaise with Farmer Field School (FFS) facilitators, support field implementation, and collect, organize, and monitor field data. Consolidating reports from FFS facilitators and Survey123, analyzing data, and preparing assessment reports are key tasks. Maintaining records of equipment distribution and warehouse inventories, supporting communication material preparation, and preparing periodic activity reports are also required.

Work Experience

A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in agricultural field projects is necessary. This experience should align with the responsibilities outlined for the role, demonstrating practical application in agricultural settings.

Skills

Essential skills include results focus, teamwork, communication, building effective relationships, and knowledge sharing. Technical skills required are experience in crop management, IPM, and GAP practices, supporting Farmer Field Schools (FFS) or similar extension activities, and data collection, analysis, and reporting using tools like Survey123. Familiarity with logistics coordination and field operations is important. Knowledge of post-harvest handling and agricultural value chains is an asset. A working knowledge of English is desirable. The candidate should be a resident of Basra Governorate or willing to be based there full-time.

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