Soil Specialists; profiles

Organizational Setting

The Land and Water Division works to enhance agricultural productivity and advance the sustainable use of land, soil and water resources. It supports Member countries in improving governance, development, management and restoration of these resources, promoting equitable access and technical assistance in irrigation, drainage, soil and water conservation, drought mitigation, water rights and natural resource management.

To provide FAO’s Land and Water Division (NSL) with qualified candidates for several specialist profiles to support the implementation of relevant projects in seven beneficiary countries (Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mozambique, Tunisia and Zambia). The roles involve home‑based contracts with required field travel where relevant.

The incumbent reports to the Land and Water Officer.

Support the development and effective implementation of FAO’s soil‑related portfolio by providing expertise in project formulation, implementation and capacity building for Member countries.

• Support implementation of activities related to the Global Soil Laboratory Network’s initiative on soil spectroscopy (GLOSOLAN‑Spec).
• Provide technical support for the development of calibration models based on existing soil spectral (Vis‑NIR‑MIR) libraries for estimating soil properties.
• Support capacity‑development programmes in soil spectroscopy and proximal sensing, including training sessions and development of training material.

• Oversee processing of soil samples for wet and dry chemistry analysis.
• Collaborate with partners and laboratories to ensure accurate and timely soil analysis results.
• Develop and implement quality assurance and quality control measures, including SOPs.
• Participate in capacity‑building activities such as workshops and trainings.
• Support implementation of laboratory equipment procurement and national soil laboratory improvement.
• Track progress, assess quality of soil analysis and harmonisation activities, and contribute to monitoring and reporting.

• Identify locally adapted soil management practices, including fertilizer efficiency and formula fertilisation.
• Promote adoption of practices at national and local levels.
• Collaborate on integrated soil fertility management strategies and field trials to test practices.
• Contribute to development of national decision‑support systems and farmer applications.
• Support national capacities for fertilizer analysis and policy development.
• Track progress, contribute to monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and communicate outcomes and lessons learned.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders and facilitate collaboration among partners.

• Consultants:
  Master’s level degree in soil science, agriculture, environmental sciences or related field with soil‑science specialization from an institution recognised on the IAU/UNESCO list; a bachelor’s degree and 2 years of relevant experience may be considered equivalent.
• PSA:
  University degree in soil science, agriculture, environmental sciences or related field with soil‑science or specific technical specialization.
• Working knowledge (Level
  
  C) of a FAO language required.
• Relevant experience: 1–4 years for category C; 5–9 years for category B; ≥10 years for category A, in sustainable soil management, soil fertility, laboratory analyses, soil information and data.

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

• Experience working with Member countries on normative and technical soil work.
• Ability to deliver results within deadlines.
• Field experience in more than one location desirable.
• Understanding of FAO policies and familiarity with UN policy agendas.
• Experience with soil laboratory functioning, soil sample analysis, statistical analysis, sustainable soil management and agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and natural resource management in developing countries.
• Experienc…