Coconut Pest and Disease Consultant

Job Summary

To enhance agricultural resilience in Tuvalu, the Coconut Pest and Disease Consultant will work remotely on a non-staff basis for 50 working days over 11 months, focusing on conducting assessments, developing management strategies, and building stakeholder capacity regarding coconut pests and diseases.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct an inception meeting to confirm assignment scope and workplan with national stakeholders
• Oversee the development of a coconut pest and disease survey protocol and coordinate training for stakeholders in pest and disease identification
• Lead the development of a National Coconut Pest and Disease Management Strategy for Tuvalu, including preparing technical guidance and awareness materials

Required qualifications

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, or a related field; a bachelor's degree requires two additional years of relevant experience
• At least five years of professional experience in coconut agronomy, pest and disease diagnosis, or integrated pest management
• Strong technical knowledge of coconut production systems and pest management
• Experience in designing and implementing pest and disease surveys and coordinating laboratory diagnostics
• Working knowledge of English at a level C proficiency