IT Specialist

Full Job Description

Organizational Setting

Upon request from the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, represented by the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka; the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will provide technical assistance for the improvement of livelihood of farmers of selected districts (Anuradhapura, Hambanthota, Vavuniya and Kurunegala) through increasing productivity of paddy while diversifying a sizable quantity of paddy lands with legumes and other field crops (OFC) using Climate Smart Good Agriculture Practices (CSGAP) with increased cropping intensity, efficient water and fertilizer management systems which leads to increase overall land productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the system. 

The above will be accomplished through the 4-year Project OSRO/SRL/205/USA “Rice Rethink; Enhancing Paddy Farmer Resilience and Return through Crop Diversification”.  

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative, direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the guidance of the Project Management Specialist and in close coordination with the Administrative Section of the FAO Representation and consultants in the project. Additionally, he/she will work in close collaboration with other Government counterparts, the Lead Technical Officer (LTO), and Lead Technical Unit in FAO HQ.

Technical Focus

Training farmers on the use of learning management platforms and mobile applications for timely cultivation of paddy and other field crops using advanced technologies and for value addition and marketing of the agricultural products. 

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Review the existing learning management platforms and mobile applications of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) and advice the project management on the feasibility of using the existing platform to enable introduction of new training material to be developed for the CSGAP, IPNM and IPM training in all local language options.
• Test the usability aspects of the applications and upgrade or update existing learning management platforms and mobile applications of the DOA and other relevant institutions, aiming to improve user experience of farmers. 
•    Work closely with the IT service provider to provide technical inputs for delivering/updating and making necessary adjustments for the design of the Web and Mobile applications linked with E-Agriculture platforms.
•    Review and provide technical advice for the documents related to selected E-Agriculture platforms to engage with farmers.
•    Provide support for the DOA staff for the upgrading and maintenance of the selected e-platforms.
•    In collaboration with the national experts on crop diversification, CSGAP, IPNM, IPM, water management and training expert, develop and deliver the web-based training program on CSGAP, IPNM and IPM.
• Act as the focal point for upgrading of selected E-Agriculture platforms.
•    Develop and implement an e-marketing strategy to improve market linkages with farmer producer groups using existing IT-enabled platforms available with the government.
•    Training farmers and officers on different means and digital platforms they can easily use for marketing purposes, thereby improve their digital literacy.
•    Provide technical input towards development of the curriculum and required material to train farmers to use existing FAO real time dynamic and centralized agricultural input and production database to support farmers with information on weather, input and production information for informed decision making.
•    Provide technical input for the above training to district based technical officers on the use of databases in 4 workshops (one per district).

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•    Advanced University Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Software Engineering or a related field or a University degree with 7 years of related experience.
•    A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in delivering digital and information technology solutions and services, learning platforms development for computer and mobile devices. 
• Working knowledge of English and Sinhala/Tamil.
•    National of Sri Lanka

 
FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Ability to understanding and incorporation interoperability concepts.
•   Experience in developing e-platforms for sharing learning modules.
•    Experience in developing learning management systems.
•    Experience in reviewing SRS document. 
•   Experience in working in the context of multi stakeholder project.
•    Experience in training of trainers (TOTs) in the agriculture sector. 
•    Familiarity with the preparation of training material on learning management platform.
•   Familiarity with graphic design tools 
•    Experience in digital marketing strategies and platforms.
•    Experience in working with farmers or similar group of stakeholders.

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
• 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.

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).

• 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
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• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
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