Agrobiodiversity and Nature-Based Solution Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO is recognized as the lead UN technical organization in the fight to eradicate hunger eliminate rural poverty and in the promotion of sustainable agriculture fisheries and livestock development while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people in need.

In Asia-Pacific Region with support from GEF member states and partners FAO is implementing projects promoting dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity and addressing adverse impacts on the environment due to extensive cropping systems of main crops. Several GEF projects in this region are being carried out on agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions for agrifood systems transformation including three from China GEF6 on agrobiodiversity GEF7 on transformation of food production systems and agro-ecological landscapes are being implemented and GEF8 on low carbon agrifood systems as well as one project in Indonesia GEF7 on crop diversity conservation for sustainable use.

GEF6 aims to promote dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of China origin crops i.e. local rice in Yunnan soybean in Liaoning and Heilongjiang millet and oat in Hebei. GEF7 in China aims to achieve improved practices in agricultural landscapes of three major crops (notably rice wheat and maize) in Shandong Jiangsu Jiangxi Guizhou and Heilongjiang Provinces with a focus on the major staple crops of rice wheat and maize. GEF7 in Indonesia addresses the challenges that currently limit the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources of target croups in Indonesia rice taro yam nutmeg and clove in three provinces of Central Kalimantan Central Java and North Maluku. GEF8 in China aims to transform agrifood systems across main food production areas including northeast central and southeast China with four components on supportive policies integrated landscape management sustainable value chains and knowledge management.

All four projects are expected to have a large-scale transformational impact on food systems by targeting a transformation of agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization and low-carbon crop production landscapes and by supporting integrated production systems and restoration of degraded land and value chains. This will result in reduced GHG emissions and nutrient runoff and improved biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) as the Budget Holder Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific FAO and the direct technical supervision of FAO Agriculture Officer (Plant Production).

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support to the projects with a comprehensive review of status challenges and opportunities of selected crops in the agro-ecological landscape transformation in Asia-Pacific region.

Tasks and responsibilities

Build scientific and technical capacity on key areas such as conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity sustainable intensive crop production sustainable landscape management nature-based solution in crop production and value chain and low-carbon agrifood systems through analysis consultation knowledge exchange and collaborative on-site demonstration projects in the Asia and Pacific region mostly China and Indonesia.
Work together with LTO and focal point of GEF project at FAO country office through the technical support and coordination with the project teams for the execution of activities according to the prescribed work plan.
Performs other duties as required.
Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to sustainable food production practices and responsible agri-food value chains for the staple crops of rice wheat and maize by analysing the cutting-edge technologies best practices policy landscapes such as the mapping study on newly developed or improved standards chemical fertilizer reduction pesticide reduction and soil organic matter content in the region.
Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to conservation and restoration of agroecosystems and biodiversity by analysing the cutting-edge technologies best practices policy landscapes such as the mapping study of the latest methodologies and best practices on carbon emission reduction and carbon sequestration in plant production in Asia region.
Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity for on-farm management of local varieties of target crops and sustainable production and value chain development of crop-derived commodities through market and non-market incentive in the region.
Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the activities related to knowledge management and M&E by documenting case studies/stories from piloting provinces organizing training workshops seminars and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on plant and environment agroecology and GEF related programmes in the countrys context across the Asia-Pacific region such as the organization of regional sharing workshop under FOLUR IP.
Participate in regional and national project related workshops/consultations/meetings for progress review and knowledge sharing.
Participate in supervisory inspection mission as requested.
Work as a task force in formulating GEF9 projects related to food systems integrated programme in the region especially for China and Indonesia.
Perform any other related tasks as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

Advanced university degree in agrifood systems environmental sciences or related field.
Relevant experience in working with a wide range of partners including governments and research institutions.
Minimum two years of research experience on plants and environment ideally in China and/or Indonesia.
Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Chinese.

FAO Core 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 is desirable.
Relevance and extent of research experience on plants and environment such as soil and water; designing collecting and analyzing technical information and data; preparing editing and revising technical/scientific documents and publication; organizing international meetings and workshops.
Relevance and extent of experience in working with governments research institutions and multidisciplinary teams.

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

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 These qualifications should 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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• 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 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

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