CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST – VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2301862

International Specialist on Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation

Job Posting: 23/Jun/2023

Closure Date: 07/Jul/2023, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : FRNAM

Job Type: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition : Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Grade Level : N/A

Primary Location: Home-Based

Duration : 33 days when actually employed (WAE) over 5 months

Post Number : N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

•  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 person 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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is implementing Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) titled “Technical support on Phytosanitary capacity evaluation and establishment of plant health clinics for enhanced agricultural production and productivity in Namibia”. This project was developed as a result of increasing invasion of new species of plant pests and diseases, which are believed to be linked climate change and increased trade activities. Climate change, an ongoing phenomenon is expected to further accelerate the introduction and spread of plant pest species, due to conducive environmental conditions created by high temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns, under which pests develop and thrive, causing damage leading to reduced agricultural production and productivity. Pests and diseases are responsible for losses of between 20% and 40% of global food production; and for trade losses in agricultural products which exceed USD220 billion every year globally. What is more alarming is that once established in a new area, plant pests are often impossible to eliminate. The situation is worsened by climate change, to which the impact on plant health is incontrovertible and affects plant pests’ epidemiology, distribution. The passage of trade agreements has increased the flow of fruits, vegetables, and propagative plant materials across our borders thereby increasing Namibia’s susceptibility to plant pests and diseases. The consumption of and demand for fresh fruit and vegetables and propagative plant materials continues to grow and the agriculture sector need to strengthen its efforts to integrate plant health and management programs.

Namibia as a member of FAO is a signatory member to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), however the country is still lagging behind on full implementation of Phyto sanitation. The capacity of the Unit of Plant Health within the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) needs to be strengthened to effectively function as the National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO) for Namibia and fulfil its obligations under the Convention, as well as for the realization of increased agricultural production and productivity. The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 184 contracting parties, which aims to protect the world’s cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) and supports the implementation of policies and activities of the CPM and carrying out such other functions as may be assigned and one of the main functions of the Secretariat is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC’s mandates.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist on Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation will report to and be under the overall guidance of the FAO Representative with day-to-day supervision by the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme) and technical guidance from the PCE facilitator from IPPC.

Technical Focus

The Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation (PCE) is a fully comprehensive National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO)-led and IPPC Secretariat supported process of multiple phases, with a wide range of benefits, to help countries evaluate their phytosanitary capacities. In order to empower the NPPOs to lead this process, the IPPC Secretariat has trained a network of PCE facilitator experts available to provide technical support on PCE implementation.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Specialist on Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation will perform the following tasks:

•  In collaboration with the IPPC facilitator coordinate, plan, supervise and implement the phytosanitary component of the project,
•  Establish and maintain contact with the government counterparts and relevant stakeholders involved in phytosanitary systems in Namibia,
•  Manage the collection and storage of confidential phytosanitary data through the PCE tool,
•  Guide the assessment/ situation analysis of the status of the national phytosanitary control measures using the PCE instrument and by reviewing of draft report of PCE conducted in 2016 and reporting on the progress on implementation of recommendations for addressing the gaps identified,
•  Conduct a five-day hybrid meeting/workshop considering consensus with relevant stakeholders to fill in the online selected PCE Modules,
•  Based on the results of the PCE, conduct a detailed capacity development needs assessment and document this,
•  Provide technical backstopping to review the national phytosanitary legal frameworks/ strategies, liaising with the governments, FAO Namibia office, other FAO technical units, FAO Legal Services, outlining the process,
•  Guide the development of draft phytosanitary capacity development strategic action plan with recommendations and logical framework from the results of the PCE, elaborating on the way forward for strengthening the national phytosanitary control measures in Namibia,
•  Provide technical backstopping during workshops including the validation workshop for the phytosanitary capacity development strategy,
•  Develop training manuals for PCE and conduct trainings on technical concepts, PCE Tool including its application and cross-cutting matters,
•  Contribute to communication and visibility activities such as preparation of material for media tools for awareness raising and visibility of FAO’s support on PCE project,
•  Perform any other tasks that maybe required for effective implementation of the project components.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•  University degree in agriculture/agronomy or related biological science with emphasis on soil management, soil health or ecology or a related field,
•  Five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: phytosanitary capacity development, food control systems assessments and phytosanitary capacity evaluations,
•  Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO language (Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic, Russian) for COF. For PSA, working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•  Broad knowledge and experience in phytosanitary measures
•  Ability to analyse information as the basis for the evaluation of national phytosanitary systems and provide advice for governments for the improvement of these systems as well to provide technical input for the revision of phytosanitary legal frameworks,
•  Extent and relevance of experience in working with regional plant protection organizations and relevant international organizations, Demonstrated capacity for IPPC Phytosanitary Capacity Experience with IPPC Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluation facilitation.
•  Broad and relevant knowledge and experience in phytosanitary measures,
•  Ability to analyse information as the basis for the evaluation of national phytosanitary systems and capability to advice government on system improvement measures, including providing technical inputs for the revision of phytosanitary legal frameworks,
•  Broad knowledge and experience in working with regional plant protection organizations and relevant international organizations.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

•  FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
•  Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
•  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/
•  For more information, visit the FAO employment website
•  Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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
•  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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