Job Description

2601900

Climate Smart Agriculture (Crops) Specialist

Job Posting

: 08/Sep/2026

Closure Date

: 22/Sep/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: FRZIM - FAO Representation in Zimbabwe

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition: NPP (National Project Personnel)

Grade Level: N/A

Primary Location

: Zimbabwe-Harare

Duration: 6 months

Post Number: N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceFAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and cultureQualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to applyEveryone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's valuesFAO, 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 checksAll applications will be treated with the strictest confidentialityFAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. Organizational Setting

The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative (FAOR), is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes, and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. For the period 2022-2026, the FAO Office in Zimbabwe is supporting Government efforts through the Country Programme Framework (CPF) which is based on three pillars: (i) Promotion of inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems to address food security and nutrition. (ii) Building resilience to climate change, agricultural threats, and crisis; (iii) Sustainable management of natural resources and environmental protection.The Zimbabwe Country office is partnering with UNDP and the Government of Zimbabwe to implement the Zimbabwe Resilience Building Fund (ZRBF II) program, with funding support from the European Union and the Government of Ireland. The goal of the program is to build resilience in vulnerable rural communities, ensure sustainable natural resources management for climate action, improve food and nutrition security, and lower the impact of natural disasters in at-risk communities in Zimbabwe. The program reaches 450 000 people in the Mid Zambezi area (Binga, Kariba, Hurungwe, and Mbire) and the Southeast Lowveld (Chiredzi, Mwenezi, and Beitbridge) over a period of four years extending to December 2028. FAO is responsible for technical support to ZRBF II’s Outcome 2: Improved natural resources management, utilization, and environmental protection to promote sustainable food systems within functioning ecosystems for sustainable resilience to multiple shocks. In collaboration with other programs working on Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) ZRBF II through the Farmer Field School approach will promote sustainable soil and water conservation practices and technologies including watershed development and management at macro and micro-catchment levels. The program will increase the proportion of farmers applying agroecology principles including mechanized minimum tillage, crop diversification, use of organic fertilizers, in-field water management techniques and integrated pest management, and rangeland management. In line with the FAO and World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Techniques (WOCAT), the program will continue protecting soil and the environment through soil conservation techniques, reforestation to promote carbon sinks, drainage of soil water, maintenance, and improvement of soil fertility to reduce soil erosion, compaction, and salinity. Climate resilient crops across the 7 districts will be promoted, with focus on identification and promotion of drought resistant varieties, access to improved seed varieties that are adapted to the local conditions, and promotion of cash crops that are not palatable to wildlife. The Farmer Field School (FFS) approach is the main extension delivery mechanism. Reporting Lines

The Climate Smart Agriculture (Crops) Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Zimbabwe, and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative-Programmes, in close collaboration with the, National Project Coordinator with further reporting and guidance from the relevant FAO Lead Technical Officer of the project, Regional Office for Africa and technical divisions at HQ. Technical Focus

Provide enhanced technical support to consortium partners and government staff at field level to ensure effective implementation of the Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology. The incumbent will provide timely agronomic advice and, in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, generate evidence on productivity improvements resulting from proper FFS implementation and climate-smart practices across supported value chains. Tasks and Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and support in the identification of needs, design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of FAO Zimbabwe crops programmes of different units and sections within the organization
• Collect and analyse data to determine and demonstrate the impact of the farmer field school on productivity changes compared to other extension methods.
• Expand and strengthen Climate proof and Smart Agriculture through up scaling of conservation agriculture and other GAP related technologies including post- harvesting management.
• Develop training and extension material and provide hands on training and backstopping extension especially for increased market -oriented productivity in VBUs, dryland fields and irrigation schemes.
• Through the Farmer Field Schools back stopping, facilitate and implement on farm and on station crops demonstrations and trials.
• Develop crops related pamphlets, fliers and other training and extension materials.
• Carry out and coordinate crops training and extension programmes for Consortia partners and government extension staff
• Work closely with the Department of MAMWRD, implementing partners, donors, private sector, agricultural colleges, universities, CGIAR centres and other stakeholders involved in Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) and agriculture systems in general.
• Participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Contribute to the production of all required Project Progress reports in line with donor requirements and guidelines maintaining quality.
• Perform any other related duties as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Climate Smart Agriculture, Soil Science, Agricultural Extension, Environment and Natural Resources Management or related field
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in agriculture, project coordination and/or management.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English
• National of Zimbabwe FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement Technical Skills
• Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture (agronomy, climate smart agriculture, extension) and project coordination/management.
• Knowledge of FAO and experience with FAO tools and procedures for project implementation, monitoring and reporting is an asset.
• Ability to technically supervise, manage and support field activities of the project.
• Experience working across humanitarian, development and normative contexts.
• Good analytical and writing skills
• Good communication and advocacy skills
• Knowledge of local languages spoken in Zimbabwe will be considered as an asset
• Previous working experience with UN or international organizations in similar positions will be an added advantage

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONFAO 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 acceptedPlease 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. FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions. 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• 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/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• 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/cspFAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT