Agricultural Officer (Locust Monitoring and Forecasting)

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) contributes to FAOs work by supporting countries to transition to sustainable crop production systems which produce more with less through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources.

The NSPMD team one of the six teams in the Division contributes to the divisions overarching goal with a programme of work through which it provides advice technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management of locusts and transboundary plant pests and diseases. The Team operates FAOs Desert Locust Information Service that uses the latest geo-spatial technologies in a geographic information system (GIS) to monitor the weather environmental conditions and locust infestations daily and analyses a combination of field data from national survey and control teams remote sensing imagery and models to provide forecasts and early warning for effective planning and implementation of required measures.

The post is located in the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD) at FAO headquarters in Rome Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer (Locust Monitoring and Forecasting) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader NSPMD.

Technical Focus

Management of FAOs global Desert Locust early warning and forecasting system enabled by GIS to collect and analyze sundry meteorological and locust infestation data to provide forecasts and relevant advice to vulnerable countries.

Key Results
Research technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical social economic environmental institutional and technology related information data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects products and services.

• Produces a variety of technical information data statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.

• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools systems processes and databases.

• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.

• Collaborates in provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development 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 knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.

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

Specific Functions

• Manages the Desert Locust Information Service including by assessments and forecasts of Desert Locust breeding and migration and the preparation of locust situation assessment reports bulletins and warnings.

• Conducts research to improve the locust early warning monitoring forecasting and reporting systems including through the use of appropriate models and remote sensing technologies.

• Designs plans organizes and evaluates training courses on new and existing methods of surveys reporting forecasting and control for Desert Locusts.

• Provides advice to countries and partners on Desert Locust control programmes and their requirements including for processing and sharing information among Desert Locust Control Units in neighboring and other countries.

• Cooperates with the Desert Locust Regional Commissions Secretariats and national locust control units including to improve data collection and reporting and to provide technical support as required.

• Provides relevant advice including on the logistics and funding for the design establishment operation and evaluation of Desert Locust surveys and monitoring systems in the field.

• Provides guidance and training to the Desert Locust information officers of the regional Desert Locust Commissions and the national Desert Locust Control Units.

• Backstops field operations by national Desert Locust Control Units which may include monitoring and early

• warning and rapid response systems.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Masters degree or equivalent) in agriculture-related GIS pest monitoring and early warning systems or related disciplines.

• Five years of relevant experience in plant pest modelling and prediction systems such as locust monitoring and information management in an international work setting.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official 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 is desirable.

• Extent and relevance of experience in locust biology ecology and locust information management and monitoring systems.

• Extent and relevance of experience in advanced digital tools and systems geographical information systems remote sensing data analysis pest modelling and forecasting

• Ability to cooperate with the officials of national governments intergovernmental organizations and other partner institutions and networks

• Excellent written and oral communications skills and ability to analyse technical data and write clear concise reports.

• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams 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

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
Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAOs 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 create a one-time registration with FAOs client support team for further assistance: IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based ondate and time settings ofyour 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 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.