Locust Management Specialists (various topics)

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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner so as to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The position is located within the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD), one of the six teams in the Division. NSPMD provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management and control of transboundary plant pests and diseases and locusts.

The assignment may be located either in the Team at FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy, or in any locust-affected country, during locust recession periods or crises (emergency response).

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will report to the Senior Officer and Team Leader in NSPMD.

Technical Focus

Management of transboundary plant pests and diseases through a combination of surveillance, early detection, forecasting, early warning, contingency planning, rapid
response and promotion of environmentally sound management and control techniques.

The purpose of this call is to populate a roster and to identify expertise in one or more of the following areas of locust management\:
i. Locust control operations;
ii. Locust survey, monitoring and reporting;
iii Locust early warning, monitoring and forecasting systems;
iv. Contingency planning, and control campaign planning and management;
v. Implementation of Environment, Health and Safety Standards and monitoring of impact of control operations;

Tasks and responsibilities

The incumbents will support the work of the NSPMD Team in one or more of the below aspects\:

• Support the preparation and the implementation of the locust preventive and contingency plans;
• Provide training to national staff involved in locust control campaign;
• Assess overall locust management (institutional, technical, human resources and equipment, operational) and formulate
recommendations to improve it;
• Support or enhance the locust early warning, monitoring, forecasting and reporting systems;
• Coordinate locust control campaigns;
• Coordinate daily organization of locust survey and control operations - or assists in their coordination;
• Ensure the logistics of locust campaigns (in particular, develops and implements a monitoring system for human and
equipment resources);
• Prepare/review of the technical specifications of the material and equipment for the survey and control operations of
locusts;
• Asses the compliance of locust management equipment with set specifications;
• Support in the implementation of the Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) and monitoring and assessment of the impact of locust treatments on the environment and non-target organisms;
• Provide needed training on methods of assessing environmental incidents and collecting and preparing samples from treated areas for residue analysis;
• Provide needed support and guidance on pesticide use/management issues in relation to the Desert Locusts control.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in in agriculture/agronomy, entomology or plant protection with emphasis on migratory plant pests; pest monitoring and early warning systems; or any related field to the various above listed tasks;
• A minimum of two years of relevant experience (for category C) or five years (for category B) in one or more of the above
listed locust management areas, including in developing countries;
• Working knowledge of Arabic, English or French (C Level).

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
• Extent and relevance of experience in locust bio-ecology, management and control
• Extent and relevance of experience in implementing locust projects
• Familiarity with Geographical Information Systems
• Previous working experience with FAO or other Locust control organizations or commissions may be considered an asset

Selection Criteria

• Limited knowledge of one of the other three Chinese, Russian, Spanish (B Level) is considered an asset.

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
• 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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