Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection)

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

• 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

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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 FAOs 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.

FAOs commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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 Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAOs response to regional priorities for food security agriculture and rural development through the identification planning and implementation of FAOs priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices (COs) and the Subregional Office for Central Asia. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and in collaboration with Divisions Offices and Centres at headquarters develops promotes and oversees FAOs strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organizations strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

The Regional Office (REU) supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organizations Programme of Work and Budget.

The Regional Office (REU) leads formulates implements monitors and reports on the Organizations programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems deficiencies and risks.

The Regional Office (REU) leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region.

The Regional Office (REU) develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs) and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms.

The Regional Office (REU) delivers an improved integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency effectiveness consistency innovation agility and responsiveness in logistical operational financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organizations programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) in Budapest Hungary.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection) reports to the Regional Programme Leader.

Technical Focus

Technical and policy advice on agrifood system transformation from the perspective of plant production and protection management with a focus on enhancing environmental and natural resource sustainability in agriculture to strengthen the agricultural sectors resilience.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical statistical analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools methodologies systems and/or databases to support the planning implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products projects publications and services.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in internal 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 analytical monitoring and 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 approaches and strategies new tools technologies technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.

• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance; provides technical advice assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and 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 Members 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 and increased policy dialogue; provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Provides technical and policy support to Regional Office strategic areas: green agriculture science and innovation biodiversity and environmental sustainability for climate-resilient sustainable agrifood systems as well as bioeconomy for food and agriculture.

• Provides technical and policy support to Members Decentralized Offices and field projects on sustainable crop production and protection seed systems climate-smart agriculture green technologies and innovation.

• Responds to country requests develops solutions and strengthens institutional and human capacities in pest and disease management in a changing climate including compliance with international agreements.

• Initiates the identification formulation and management of projects and programmes on crop production plant health and climate-resilient agriculture including access to and monitoring environmental agriculture funds.

• Enhances plant production and productivity through improved techniques technologies and practices; promotes Farmer Field Schools and capacity development for farmers and extension workers.

• Develops training materials implements capacity-building programmes and engages in policy dialogues to advocate comprehensive agricultural sustainability and plant health strategies.

• Strengthens REU crop production and protection databases climate services and related tools for Members and FAO Country Offices (COs).

• Builds and maintains partnerships with UN agencies academia and the private sector; promotes international and regional cooperation best practices and increased policy dialogue in relevant forums.

• Leads the formulation implementation monitoring and reporting of the Regional Priority Program on Natural Resources (RPP-NR) workplan as well as the other RPPs in collaboration with COs Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC) and HQ ensuring alignment with corporate requirements and facilitating PPA implementation.

• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in agriculture - crop protection plant sciences or related field

• Seven years of relevant experience in sustainable agriculture environmental and natural resources management crop protection or pesticide management in the field preferably including experience on main crops of the region

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - 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

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work particularly in field positions.

• Extent and relevance of field experience in plant production and protection and environmental sustainability in agriculture.

• Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme formulation and implementation of projects programmes and studies in the field of plant protection.

• Extent and relevance of experience in providing policy advice at local national and regional levels.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge in the implementation of international instruments related to plant production and protection.

• Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings conferences and workshops.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge and understanding of the work of international organizations and national governments.

• Ability to mobilize resources.

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 These qualificationsshould be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
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
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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.

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