Technical Officer (Biodiversity and Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture)

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

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 Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) promotes the integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture, and provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment.

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) keeps under review matters related to the Organization's policy, programme and activities regarding biodiversity of relevance to food and agriculture. The Secretariat of the Commission prepares and supports sessions of the Commission and follows up on its decisions. It also monitors and reports to the Commission on developments in relevant international bodies and processes (including the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD, the World Intellectual Property Organization - WIPO and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR). The Strategic Plan for the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture contains the Commission's vision, mission and goals and embraces its rolling Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW) covering the biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture and all sectoral and cross-sectoral matters the Commission deals with.

The position is located in the Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Officer (Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture) reports to the Secretary of the Commission and the Senior Liaison Officer.

Technical Focus.
Biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture management across and within agricultural sectors (plant, livestock, aquatic, forest, micro-organism and invertebrate genetic resources for food and agriculture).

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 on multidisciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments 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 Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, 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 Corporate Strategy.

Specific Functions
• Provides support to the implementation of the MYPOW and to the interdivisional MYPOW Task Force;
• Designs, plans and implements activities in support of the Commission's MYPOW, including the development of policies, guidelines, best practices and training materials;
• Monitors policy, legal and technical developments of other international fora/ instruments in the spheres of biodiversity/ genetic resources for food and agriculture, for their relevance in implementing the MYPOW;
• Prepares and organizes technical and policy meetings on biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture;
• Prepares and supports the preparation of technical and policy documents related to biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture and cross-cutting issues, and facilitates coordination among FAO units on biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture;
• Prepares briefs for communicating the Commission's activities in the field of biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture to other relevant instruments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and relevant stakeholders;
• Assists in facilitating cooperation and dialogue in the fields related to the Commission's mandate and liaises with other UN specialized agencies, Multilateral environment agreements secretariats; non-governmental organizations, international organizations, national research institutes and other relevant entities with a view to strengthen cooperation and increase synergies in areas of mutual interest;
• Participates in resource mobilization and management for the Commission's portfolio;
• Performs other duties as requested.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or natural resources management or related biological sciences.
• Five years of relevant experience in natural resources management, including in biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture management.
• Working knowledge of English (proficient – level C) and limited knowledge (intermediate – 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 experience in the preparation of technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals in the field of biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture; quality of analytical writing and oral communication skills; level of scientific data processing and analysis.
• Extent of knowledge and understanding of technical and policy matters related to biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture; including developments in other relevant international fora.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, organize and monitor consultative multi-stakeholder processes and/or inter-governmental and/or technical meetings.
• Ability to work with a wide range of experts and stakeholders at different levels from a variety of sectors and disciplines on policies, programmes and projects.
• Demonstrated track record of successfully mobilizing resources and managing projects, budgets and human resources.
• Strategic understanding of complex policy processes and demonstrated capacity to promote intersectoral approaches to achieve biodiversity friendly agrifood systems transformation and governance.
• Excellent writing skills in English.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of a second official FAO language, preferably Spanish or French, would be desirable.

_________________________________________________________________

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

• 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 http\://www.whed.net/
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT