Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection)

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.

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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 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.

FAO’s 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

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations.

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC). 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 FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

The Regional Office 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 Organization's Programme of Work and Budget.

The Regional Office leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization's programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.
The Regional Office leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region.
The Regional Office 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 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 Organization's 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 Production and Protection) reports to the Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection), P-4.

Technical Focus
Technical expertise on agrifood system transformation from a plant production and protection management perspective by developing integrated crop, soil and pest management concepts, strategies, practices and guidelines, with a focus on sustainable and green production and yield enhancement to improve the agricultural sector's resilience.

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 units 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, 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

• Provides technical support to Members on sustainable crop production and protection in support of the implementation of FAO's programme in building climate resilient agrifood systems within existing frameworks.
• Provides advice and guidance on sustainable crop production and protection, seed systems, including seed in emergency, climate smart agriculture, protected cultivation, green technologies and innovation.
• 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.
• Supports the identification and formulation of programmes and projects in the field of sustainable crop production and protection management and climate resilient agriculture.
• Provides technical support to Members in accessing, managing and monitoring their portfolio related to the main agriculture resilient funds.
• Engages in policy dialogues to advocate for comprehensive agricultural sustainability, including crop production and plant health strategies.
• Conceptualizes and prepares training and information materials and implements capacity development programmes related to crop production and protection in the framework of FAO Program Priority Areas.
• Enhances plant production and productivity through the adoption of improved farming techniques, technologies, and practices and promotes climate-smart agriculture.
• Assists Members to strengthen their institutional and human capacities in the sustainable management of plant pests and diseases.
• Provides technical support and training on the implementation of relevant international agreements and conventions linked to pest and pesticide management, including the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
• Provides technical support and guidance to farmers, extension workers and promotes Farmer Field Schools approach.
  Strengthens REU crop production, protection information, database and related tools to provide related climate services to Members and FAO Country Offices.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with relevant institutions, including UN agencies, academia and private sector.
• Promotes international and regional cooperation, advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in crop production and protection, seed system 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 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.
• Ability to cooperate with officials in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in collaborative networks and joint programmes, academia and private sector.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development and management of technical projects in relation to crop production and protection, seed system management, including seeds in emergency and climate smart agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience the analysis and formulation of projects and strategies for sustainability improvement in agriculture sector.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in sustainable crop production, ecosystem management, plant protection with particular emphasis on drafting and implementing resilient agriculture projects.

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

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• 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

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