2302690

Agricultural Officer (Locust Management)

Job Posting: 05/Sep/2023

Closure Date: 26/Sep/2023, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : Plant Production and Protection Division, NSP

Job Type: Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Grade Level : P-4

Primary Location: Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 0527360

CCOG Code : 1H01

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

•  FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
•  Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
•  Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
•  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.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The post of Agricultural Officer (Locust Management) is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD), one of the six teams in the Division. NSPMD provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management and control of transboundary plant pests and diseases and locusts. The team is comprised of technical specialists managing transboundary plant pests and diseases, in close collaboration with countries, by monitoring, early warning, forecasting, rapid response, communication and capacity development and by promoting sustainable and environmentally sound management and control techniques.

Reporting Lines The Agricultural Officer (Locust Management) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader, in the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD) of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP).

Technical Focus Support countries in the development and implementation of strategies and programmes for the sustainable management of locusts.

Key Results Technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

•  Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
•  Develops technical, analysis, assessment, monitoring and/or reporting frameworks and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.
•  Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative cross-sectoral approaches, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
•  Responds to Member Nations’ requests for technical and/or policy assistance; provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices; provides technical backstopping to field projects.
•  Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to, and ensures the quality/effectiveness of, capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
•  Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, supports increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
•  Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions

•  Provides technical support and guidance to the ongoing locust management programme in Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA), and other locust related projects in different regions.
•  Supports the development and the implementation of locust preventive control plans, contingency plans and locust emergency responses.
•  Supports the assessment of the national locust management capacities and preparedness and formulates recommendations for improvement.
•  Contributes to the development and promotion of innovative technologies for locust sustainable management, and locust monitoring, forecasting and prediction systems.
•  Provides technical support to Member Nations and stakeholders to strengthen their capacities in the surveillance and monitoring of locusts, and in developing appropriate management strategies.
•  Liaises/cooperates with research and development institutions, private sector organizations, Desert locust commissions, NGOs and universities, linking the needs of countries for the environmentally sound management and control of locusts, with on-going research activities and outputs.
•  Supports the development and review of technical specifications for locust-related equipment and material.
•  Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•  Advanced university degree in agriculture/agronomy, entomology, with focus on locust management.
•  Seven years of relevant experience in locust monitoring and management.
•  Working knowledge of English (proficient – level C) and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). Competencies
•  Results Focus
•  Teamwork
•  Communication
•  Building Effective Relationships
•  Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

•  Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in locust bio-ecology, management and control.
•  Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in locust forecasting and prediction.
•  Extent and relevance of experience in developing and delivering programmes of work or projects on the environmentally sound management and control of transboundary insect pests.
•  Demonstrated experience in analysing information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments.
•  Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of Russian or French will be considered a strong asset.
•  Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

•  Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
•  FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries allowances/salary.htm Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:

•  Dependency allowances
•  Rental subsidy
•  Education grant for children
•  Home leave travel
•  30 working days of annual leave per year
•  Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
•  International health insurance; optional life insurance
•  Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

•  elements of family-friendly policies
•  flexible working arrangements
•  standards of conduct.

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/
•  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 contact: Careers@fao.org

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