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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

FAO is recognized as the lead UN technical organization in the fight to eradicate hunger, eliminate rural poverty, and in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livestock development while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people in need.

In Asia-Pacific Region, with support from GEF, member states and partners, FAO is implementing projects promoting dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity and addressing adverse impacts on the environment due to extensive cropping systems of main crops. Several GEF projects in this region are being carried out on agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions for agrifood systems transformation, including three from China, GEF6 on agrobiodiversity, GEF7 on transformation of food production systems and agro-ecological landscapes are being implemented, and GEF8 on low carbon agrifood systems, as well as one project in Indonesia, GEF7 on crop diversity conservation for sustainable use.

GEF6 aims to promote dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of China origin crops, i.e., local rice in Yunnan, soybean in Liaoning and Heilongjiang, millet and oat in Hebei. GEF7 in China aims to achieve improved practices in agricultural landscapes of three major crops (notably rice, wheat, and maize) in Shandong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and Heilongjiang Provinces, with a focus on the major staple crops of rice, wheat, and maize. GEF7 in Indonesia addresses the challenges that currently limit the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources of target croups in Indonesia – rice, taro, yam, nutmeg and clove in three provinces of Central Kalimantan, Central Java and North Maluku. GEF8 in China aims to transform agrifood systems across main food production areas including northeast, central and southeast China with four components on supportive policies, integrated landscape management, sustainable value chains, and knowledge management.

All four projects are expected to have a large-scale transformational impact on food systems, by targeting a transformation of agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization and low-carbon crop production landscapes, and by supporting integrated production systems and restoration of degraded land, and value chains. This will result in reduced GHG emissions and nutrient runoff, and improved biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) as the Budget Holder, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific FAO, and the direct technical supervision of FAO Agriculture Officer (Plant Production).

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support to the projects with a comprehensive review of status, challenges, and opportunities of selected crops in the agro-ecological landscape transformation in Asia-Pacific region.


Tasks and responsibilities

• Build scientific and technical capacity on key areas, such as, conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity, sustainable intensive crop production, sustainable landscape management, nature-based solution in crop production and value chain, and low-carbon agrifood systems, through analysis, consultation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative on-site demonstration projects in the Asia and Pacific region, mostly China and Indonesia.
• Work together with LTO and focal point of GEF project at FAO country office through the technical support and coordination with the project teams for the execution of activities according to the prescribed work plan.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to sustainable food production practices and responsible agri-food value chains for the staple crops of rice, wheat and maize, by analysing the cutting-edge technologies, best practices, policy landscapes, such as the mapping study on newly developed or improved standards, chemical fertilizer reduction, pesticide reduction, and soil organic matter content in the region.
• Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to conservation and restoration of agroecosystems and biodiversity, by analysing the cutting-edge technologies, best practices, policy landscapes, such as the mapping study of the latest methodologies and best practices on carbon emission reduction and carbon sequestration in plant production in Asia region.
• Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity for on-farm management of local varieties of target crops and sustainable production and value chain development of crop-derived commodities through market and non-market incentive in the region.
• Asist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the activities related to knowledge management and M&E, by documenting case studies/stories from piloting provinces, organizing training workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on plant and environment, agroecology, and GEF related programmes, in the country's context across the Asia-Pacific region, such as the organization of regional sharing workshop under FOLUR IP.
• Participate in regional and national project related workshops/consultations/meetings for progress review and knowledge sharing.
• Participate in supervisory inspection mission as requested.
• Work as a task force in formulating GEF9 projects related to food systems integrated programme in the region, especially for China and Indonesia.
• Perform any other related tasks as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING


Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agrifood systems, environmental sciences or related field.
• Relevant experience in working with a wide range of partners, including governments and research institutions.
• Minimum two years of research experience on plants and environment, ideally in China and/or Indonesia.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Chinese.

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, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Relevance and extent of research experience on plants and environment, such as soil and water; designing, collecting, and analyzing technical information and data; preparing, editing, and revising technical/scientific documents, and publication; organizing international meetings and workshops.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with governments, research institutions, and multidisciplinary teams.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
  • Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
  • 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/
  • For more information, visit the FAO employment website
  • Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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

• 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

FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.