Extension Specialist in Conservation Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 members - 194 countries and the European Union, FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide. FAO Ukraine is seeking to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises that affect agriculture, food and nutrition, focusing on four major areas: - rural economic development - transition to sustainable agriculture and food production practices - adaptation to climate change - humanitarian assistance.

FAO Ukraine is the country office of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, a specialized agency dedicated to achieving food security, reducing rural poverty, and promoting sustainable management of natural resources. FAO Ukraine works in close partnership with the government, civil society organizations, private sector, and other UN agencies to address the diverse challenges and opportunities in the agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and environmental sectors. By providing technical assistance, policy advice, and capacity development support, FAO Ukraine plays a vital role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices, strengthening the resilience of rural communities, and enhancing food security and nutrition across the country.

The ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine has caused significant disruptions to agriculture. The degradation of soil quality and loss of productivity are some of the major challenges faced by farmers in the region. Conservation Agriculture (CA), with its principles of crop rotation, minimal soil disturbance, and permanent soil cover, offers a viable solution to restore soil health and improve agricultural resilience. FAO is committed to supporting these farmers by providing technical assistance to implement CA practices and enhancing productivity in these war-affected regions.

This role is home-based but may require field missions to and throughout Ukraine. The selected candidate should be prepared to obtain relevant medical clearance requirements to fulfil official travel requests.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of DRO/Ukraine Head of Office and the Head of Programme, the direct supervision of International Programme Coordinator, and in close coordination with the rest of the Mine Action and Land Rehabilitation Programme Team. The Extension Specialist in Conservation Agriculture will be responsible for providing technical assistance to grain farmers affected by the land warfare in east Ukraine.

Technical Focus

Conservation agriculture (CA) in grain and sunflower production is critical for restoring soil health and resilience in war-affected areas. The Specialist will focus on promoting CA principles—crop rotation, minimal soil disturbance, and permanent soil cover—by providing tailored training on three hands-on demonstration plots and showcasing successful productivity stories. This approach aims to support farmers by providing tailored training on three hands-on demonstration plots and showcasing successful productivity stories. The incumbent will support activities in the design and implementation of demonstration plots; training farmers in-situ; delivering online technical assistance; and monitoring and evaluation.

Tasks And Responsibilities

Specifically, the incumbent will carry out the following tasks:

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements