National Expert on Rubber Production and Plant Protection

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The Smallholder Rubber Revitalization Project (SRRP) focuses on improving productivity, sustainability, and resilience in the smallholder rubber sector through better agronomic practices and integrated plant protection strategies. Declining productivity, poor replanting quality, and emerging leaf (such as Circular Leaf Spot Disease – CLSD) and root diseases (such as white root and brown root diseases) threaten the sustainability of smallholder cultivation. To address these issues, SRRP seeks the services of a National Expert on Rubber Production and Plant Protection to provide technical support, field supervision, and capacity building aimed at improving plantation health and productivity.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the Project Director, Smallholder Rubber Revitalization Project (SRRP) / FAO, the expert will report to Director/Actg. Director, RRISL / FAO Officials.

Technical Focus

Provide expert technical support on rubber cultivation, fertility management, disease and pest management, and productivity enhancement in smallholder rubber systems. The expert will help implement integrated disease management programs, develop updated field manuals, and support national training and awareness activities for smallholders and extension staff.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Assess current smallholder production and plant protection practices in target diseases. 
•    Support ongoing Integrated Disease Management (IDM) activities for major diseases (CLSD and root diseases).
•    Assist with current Plant Nutrient Management activities.
•    Conduct training sessions and workshops for Technical staff, Rubber Extension Officers of RRISL and Rubber Development Officers, 
•    Assist technical staff, RRISL Rubber Extension Officers, and Rubber Development Officers with pest, disease, and nutrient management matters.
•    Monitor field progress, prepare reports, and provide feedback to the Project Management Unit (PMU). (Project team)

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    University degree in Biological Sciences/ Agriculture (PhD/MSc)
•    Minimum 5 years of experience in rubber agronomy, pest/disease management
•    Working knowledge in English and Sinhala.
•    National of Sri Lanka or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Selection Criteria

•    Demonstrated experience in field-level implementation and smallholder trials.
•    Familiarity with rubber diseases such as CLSD and knowledge of integrated control strategies.
 

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

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.

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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