Director, Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP)

Under the policy guidance and the general supervision of the Assistant Director-General, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, the Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division oversees and facilitates the design and evolution of strategies on sustainable agriculture production, policies, science based methodologies in crop production and protection-sector analysis, coordination of FAO field projects and programmes in crop production and protection. S/he is also responsible for managing and promoting exchange of sector-relevant knowledge. The Director will\:

• Provide leadership and vision for the development and implementation of the Organization’s sustainable crop production and protection intensification strategies using integrated and participatory approaches, including, inter-alia, improving resource use efficiency, maintaining healthy soil ecosystems, the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, reducing crop losses from transboundary and endemic plant pests and diseases, as well as managing hazardous pesticides;
• Exercise overall management responsibility for the Division’s biennial programme of work, facilitate quality control, progress monitoring and reporting on FAO’s implementation of sustainable crop production intensification strategies in line with results-based management principles;
• Effectively contribute to supporting FAO’s corporate resource mobilization strategy;
• Lead and/or support inter-agency and inter-institutional collaboration on analysis and development of FAO’s crop sector strategy, as well as effective coordination of the contributions of relevant units across FAO Headquarters and Decentralized Offices;
• Provide guidance and support to FAO Members, UN and specialized agencies, and other global, regional and national bodies on liaison, coordination and exchange of information regarding the crop sector;
• Represent the Organization at high-level meetings and other events relevant to the Division’s field of competence;
• Support the management of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department and cross-sectoral collaboration and integration as a member of FAO management and the Departmental Management Team.

Additional information on the Programme can be found at the AGP Division’s Web site\: http\://www.fao.org/agriculture/plant-production-and-protection/en/

General Requirements

• Advanced university degree in crop production, crop protection or agronomy. Additional qualifications in broader agricultural sciences and international agriculture and/or Ph.D. in crop sciences would be an asset.
• Demonstrated professional competency and mastery of crop production and protection related subject matters dealt with by the division (publications, programme management) .
• Proven leadership of high order in relevant activities, programmes, institutions at the public or private sector level.
• Experience with multilateral negotiations and advice to governments.
• Experience with programme/project fund acquisition.
• Working knowledge of English and a limited knowledge of one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international UN setting.