Organizational Setting
The FAO Representation in Bangladesh is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning, and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the country. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in Bangladesh and, in collaboration with Regional Office for Asia and Pacific and the departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to the country priorities. The representation also supports the regional office in the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the country, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The office also develops and maintains relations with Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies, the resource partners and other development institution at the country level.
The objectives of these initiatives include:
• Conducting policy, institutional, and investment gap analyses to inform an effective action plan for agriculture sector transformation.
• Identifying and establishing effective pathways for prioritizing and coordinating resources and partnerships.
• Enhancing collaboration with the private sector.
• Improving the scale and efficacy of investments in agrifood system research and innovation.
• Increasing initiatives to safeguard environmental health, particularly in light of climate vulnerability.
The Junior Digital Agriculture Assistant will provide overall support to all project and programme teams encompassing digital agricultural systems and innovations. With a focus on identifying and introducing potential digital agriculture and IoT (internet of things) solutions across and beyond FAO Bangladesh’s portfolio, this position is crucial to ensure that modern agricultural breakthroughs and technical innovations translate into improved productivity, reduced gaps and losses, enhanced market competitiveness, and export readiness, ensuring the safe and sustainable transition of Bangladesh throughout its upcoming LDC graduation. By bridging technical innovations with farmer capacity building and value chain infrastructure, the Junior Digital Agriculture Assistant will drive FAO Bangladesh’s interventions through practical, field-tested solutions and informed technical guidance.
Reporting Lines
The Junior Digital Agriculture Assistant is a SC 1 position. Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Bangladesh, the Deputy FAO Representative, and direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), and in close consultation with project and programme staff, the incumbent will work in close collaboration with the National Programme Specialist, the CO’s relevant project teams, relevant government institutions, and other stakeholders.
Technical Focus
The Junior Digital Agriculture Assistant will support the application of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies in agriculture, with emphasis on IoT-enabled systems, smart farming solutions, digital advisory tools, and data-informed decision-making across FAO Bangladesh programmes.
The role focuses on applied digital agriculture innovations that enhance productivity, climate resilience, value-chain efficiency, and farmer capacity,
Tasks and responsibilities
• Support associated project and programme teams in piloting innovations, technologies, and digital integration.
• Support the implementation of digital agriculture projects, ensuring the timely delivery of outputs and achievement of objectives.
• Support to analyze the methodological frameworks, algorithms, and tools for evaluating digital agriculture readiness, digitalization initiatives, and for providing technical recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to the preparation of project proposals, concept notes, and funding requests to mobilize resources for digitalization efforts.
• Identify potential and relevant start-ups in and beyond the country, digital tools and systems for potential integration, facilitation of knowledge exchange, and scaling across projects and programmes.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange by documenting best practices, success stories, digital solutions, and lessons learned from digital agriculture interventions and initiatives.
• Support in designing and delivering capacity-development workshops, training sessions, and technical guidance materials.
• Maintain liaison and assist in fostering partnerships with the private sector, research institutions, and international organizations to promote and leverage resources for the digital transformation of agriculture.
• Support project teams in the evaluation and procurement of digital agricultural solutions as envisaged in the respective project documents.
• Support capacity-building activities, including farmer field schools, field days, and dialogues with exporters.
• Support to prepare technical reports, progress updates, and knowledge products for the FAO Representation.
• Undertake any additional tasks assigned by the FAO Representative and/or the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme).
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Applied Physics, Computer Science, Electrical and Electronic Engineering (EEE), or a closely related field.
• At least 1 (one) year of relevant experience in IoT and digital agriculture.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English.
• National of Bangladesh.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong knowledge of digital technologies, tools, and platforms relevant to agriculture, rural development, and food systems.
• Ability to work with farmers and rural communities to identify their needs and challenges and design solutions and training programmes to meet those needs.
• Ability to coordinate technical digital agriculture projects.
• Ability to design and supervise small-scale agro-infrastructure projects with environmental and social safeguards.
• Excellent coordination, facilitation, and communication skills across diverse stakeholders.
• Proven ability to prepare high-quality technical documents, training materials, and reports.
• Ability to translate policy requirements into practical engineering solutions at the field level.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION