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 member nations, 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 our values. FAO has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and FAO, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and discrimination
• All selected candidates, therefore, will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• 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

Organizational Setting

Within the framework of the FAO Emergency Centre for Transboundary Plant Pests (ECTPP), the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD) is one of the six NSP teams. NSPMD works within the framework of the Food Chain Crisis (FCC) and the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) and provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management and control of locusts and transboundary plant pests and diseases.

Reporting Lines

The consultants/subscribers will work under the overall technical supervision of the Senior Officer, Team Leader, of the
“Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases” (NSPMD), in collaboration with the Resilience Team.

Technical Focus

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: locust aerial and ground control operations; locust survey, monitoring and reporting; locust early warning, monitoring and forecasting systems; contingency planning; locust control campaign planning, monitoring and implementation; spraying techniques; logistical support of the survey and spraying aircrafts.

The consultants/subscribers will be part of a team of technical specialists that manages 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 assignment can be located either in the team at FAO-HQs, Rome, Italy, or in any locust-affected country, during locust
recession periods or crises (emergency response).

Tasks and responsibilities

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: locust aerial and ground control operations; locust survey, monitoring and reporting; locust early warning, monitoring and forecasting systems; contingency planning; locust control campaign planning, monitoring and implementation; spraying techniques; logistical support of the survey and spraying aircrafts.

The consultants/subscribers will be part of a team of technical specialists that manages 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 assignment can be located either in the team at FAO-HQs, Rome, Italy, or in any locust-affected country, during locust recession periods or crises (emergency response).

Experts will support the work of the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases (NSPMD) in one or more of the actions:
• Support the preparation and the implementation of the locust preventive and emergency control 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);
• Support/coordinate the aerial and ground survey and control operations;
• Prepare/review of the technical specifications of the material and equipment for the survey and control operations of
locusts;
• Provide operational and logistical support to the survey and spraying aircrafts;
• Ensure the compliance of the aircrafts, ULV sprayers with set specifications;
• Ensure the proper use of the spraying equipment and its calibration;
• Provide support and trainings on the maintenance of the locust spraying techniques;
• Monitor or assesses locust control operations;
• Assist in monitoring, reporting and forecast of the locust situation;
• Contingency planning development and implementation;
• Evaluate locust campaigns.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree 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 one year 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 (level C) of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge (level B) of another FAO Languages
(Arabic, Chinese, Russian)

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 is an asset

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