Organizational Setting
The Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP) promotes the sustainable intensification of crop production. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at enhancing productivity; natural resources conservation; rural livelihoods and resilience.
The post is Leader of the Pest and Pesticide Management Team (AGPMC), one of six teams in the Division. The team provides advice and guidance in areas of pest management in the context of sustainable crop production, and pesticide management in the context of the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management. The Team Leader is a member of the Divisional Management Team.
Reporting Lines
The Senior Agricultural Officer reports to the Director, AGP
Technical Focus
Pest and pesticide management in the context of sustainable crop production and the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management.
Key Results
Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Departmental / Division Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with FAO’s Strategic Objectives.
Key Functions
· Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.
· Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies.
· Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks.
· Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services.
· Provides technical and policy advisory services to Member Countries and technical support to Decentralized Offices in the development and implementation of their programmes of work.
· Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.
· Represents the Organization at international/inter-governmental meetings and conferences, advocates strategic partnerships, best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national partners.
· Leads or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
Specific Functions
· Serves as Secretary to the FAO Expert Panel on Pesticide Management and the FAO component of the Joint Meeting on Pesticide Management (JMPM) and supervises the secretariat of the FAO part of the WHO/FAO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) and WHO/FAO Joint Meeting on Pesticide Specifications (JMPS)
· Represents FAO in international fora related to chemicals management including, inter alia, the Inter-Organization Programme for the Sound Management of Chemicals (IOMC), Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), the Working Group on Pesticides of the OECD,
· Leads the development and implementation of a field programme to support countries in the effective implementation of FAO’s normative guidance on pest and pesticide management
· Leads the development and deployment of technical and policy guidance, tools and methodologies reflecting best practices for pest and pesticide lifecycle management in the context of sustainable food and agriculture
· Leads, contribute to and/or provide technical support in the implementation of FAO's strategic framework, especially the division's work relating to sustainable agriculture and food systems, in the context of the emerging realities of climate change.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
· Advanced University degree in plant protection, Entomology, Chemistry, and Environment Sciences with a specialization in Agriculture and Environment
· Ten years of relevant experience working internationally on matters related to pest and/or pesticide management at senior level.
· Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian
Competencies
· Results Focus
· Leading, Engaging and Empowering
· Communication
· Partnering and Advocating
· Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
· Strategic Thinking
Technical/Functional Skills
· Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
· Demonstrated experience in design and implementation of pest and/or pesticide management strategies, programmes and projects
· Extent of knowledge and experience in international chemicals management
· Extent of knowledge and experience of pesticide regulation and use in developing countries
· Extent of knowledge and experience in crop and agricultural development with a particular focus on sustainable intensification and ecologically based approaches
· Extent of experience on the provision of technical and policy advice to countries on pest and pesticide related matters
· Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are considered a strong asset
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
· All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills.
· Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
· Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills.
· Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognised in the IAU/UNESCO list.
· Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice and the endorsed candidates will be considered for the Employment Roster for a period of 2 years.
· Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments.
REMUNERATION
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
HOW TO APPLY:
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete your online profile. Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile.
Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: iRecruitment@fao.org
