International Phytosanitary Consultant

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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality

People with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization

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The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with over 183 contracting parties, which aims to protect the world's cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is a Convention approved by the FAO Conference in adherence with Article XIV of the Constitution of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO and is responsible to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC's mandates.

Reporting Lines

The International Phytosanitary Consultant reports to the Implementation and Facilitation Unit Team Deputy Leader.

A Development Agenda identified in the IPPC Strategic Framework (2020-2030) is entitled “Strengthening Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems”[1] and a paper on this topic was prepared for CPM-15 planned for April 2020 to further discuss its implementation. Because of the global pandemic, CPM-15has is postponed until further notice, but the CPM Bureau agreed that activities on this topic should proceed and that a virtual focus group should provide guidance.

1. This activity is new and useful expertise on alert and response systems is available in other sectors (animal health, food, safety, human health, natural disasters). A baseline study is needed on existing alert and response systems from different global, regional or national institutions or organizations. This study would analyze the functioning and efficacy of these systems to learn lessons and gather best practices in order to plan and develop an effective, efficient and up to date system for the IPPC Community.

Under the general supervision of the IPPC Secretariat, the consultant will perform the following tasks\:

• Set a methodology of work for gathering existing alert and response systems at global, regional and national levels, analysing their components, assessing their weaknesses and strengths and learning lessons in order to make recommendations for the IPPC Secretariat to set the best cost-effective, efficient and sustainable systems.

• Review, analyse and assess the existing alert and response systems at global, regional and national levels. Any relevant field should be considered, including plant protection, environmental protection, animal health, food safety, human health, climatic disasters, etc.

• Produce a straightforward and well-written report targeted to CPM decision makers, listing and describing the main components of relevant alert and response systems at global, regional and national levels, presenting the analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the various systems and providing concrete recommendations on how to plan and develop the best Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems for the IPPC Community.

• This report will be pear reviewed by relevant experts in the field.

• Advanced university degree in Agriculture or Environmental Science with a specialization in Crop Science, Agronomy, Plant Science, Disease and pest control or a related field (for Consultants) / University degree in the above quoted fields (only for PSA)

• Five years of relevant experience in plant protection

• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

• 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 plant protection

• Extent and relevant of experience in drafting studies and report including in-depth analysis

• Familiarity with alert and response systems, in particular related to plant protection

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

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