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 Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies for addressing food, agriculture and rural development priorities in the subregion. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions including regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) in Santiago, Chile. SLC is located in Barbados and is responsible for 13 countries of the Subregion. SLC houses the FAO Multi Country Office for Barbados and six OECS (Organization of the Eastern Caribbean States) countries (Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines).

The position is located in the Subregional Office for the Caribbean (SLC) in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the Sub-regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, and is part of one or more regional technical teams.

Technical Focus

Agriculture production and crop protection are more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers. This focus entails complementary work inter alia on digital agriculture and technological innovation; nature-based solutions, crop diversity, and ecosystem approaches; reduction in waste and in input use; pesticide use and international standards; extension and technical advisory services.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications, and services.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.

• 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.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

Specific Functions

• Promotes agriculture production and crop protection that is more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers.

• Promotes agriculture digitalization and technological innovation for sustainable crop production, crop diversification, and climate smart agriculture to improve people's nutrition, livelihoods and incomes in both rural and urban areas.

• Promotes an ecosystem approach to crop production to develop agroecological knowledge and practices which enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services, and contribute to climate change adaptation, mitigation and resilience.

• Improves timeliness and productivity of agricultural operations, and enables a shift from subsistence to more competitive, market-oriented farming through appropriate mechanization systems, improved technologies and seed-delivery systems and strengthened extension services.

• Promotes precision agriculture to improve productivity and efficiency of production, particularly optimizing water efficiency, soil regeneration, nutrient and input use, and reducing waste at all stages of the production process.

• Improves pesticide management and reduces reliance on pesticides by applying an integrated pest management approach.

• Supports monitoring of transboundary plant pests and diseases and supports countries to mitigate their impact by setting up surveillance, early warning and effective pest control systems.

• Facilitates the participation of countries in regional and international bodies and treaties dealing with plant genetic resources and developing international quality standards and technical guidelines to reduce the risks of pesticide use, leading to consumer and environmental protection.

• Promotes good agricultural practices that incorporate global agronomic, environmental and decent work standards to facilitate access to and competitiveness in international markets.
  

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture crop production, crop protection, plantsciences or related field.

• Seven years of relevant experience in technical and policy advice to promote agricultural production and crop protection that is more efficient, competitive, sustainable, climate resilient and socially inclusive, especially for small and medium-scale farmers.

• 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 professional experience in one or more of the following fields related to sustainableagricultural production\: plant production and protection, digital agriculture and technological innovation, precisionagriculture suited to small-scale farmers, water use efficiency, pesticide management and regulations, climatesmart agriculture.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the Caribbean.

• Extent and relevance of experience in project/programme formulation and implementation of projects,programmes and studies.

• Extent and relevance of experience in providing policy advice at local, national, and regional levels in plantproduction.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge in the implementation of international instruments, including the InternationalPlant Protection Convention and the Rotterdam Convention.

• Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings, conferences and workshops.

• Ability to mobilize resources and to build and nurture effective relations with both public and private partners.

• Capacity to lead and motivate multiple teams to achieve results and respond to competing demands within shorttime frames and under complex and changing circumstances.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of Spanish is an asset.

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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/. 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
• 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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