Policy and Programme experts (Biodiversity)

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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

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.
The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.
The post is located in the Pest and Pesticides Management Team (NSPCD) of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), one of the six teams in the division. The Team provides technical advice and guidance in areas of integrated pest management in the context of sustainable crop production intensification and diversification, and pesticide management in the context of the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management.

The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the European Commission - FAO programme on Capacity-Building Related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Countries – Phase 3 (“ACP-MEAs 3”). The project operates in the ACP regions and focuses on building the capacity of regional and national institutions to better implement relevant MEAs, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on chemical management. The project is being implemented by a technical and operational team partially located at FAO headquarters, mainly in NSPCD and the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Unit (OCBB), and partially decentralized to the three ACP regions, with expertise in areas relevant to sustainable agriculture, biodiversity for food and agriculture, and ecological pest management.

Reporting Lines

The consultant will report to the relevant NSPCD and OCBB technical officers, under the overall guidance of the NSPCD Team Leader.

Technical Focus

Mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors through supporting synergistic implementation of MEAs relevant to biodiversity and chemicals in ACP countries.

The technical focus will be on supporting policy processes, implementation, knowledge development and dissemination activities related to the integration of ecosystem-based practices and measures for the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

The consultant should be able to cover the areas of work below:
• Policy and strategy development in the field of biodiversity and agriculture;
• Integration of practices for sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in agrifood systems;
• Capacity building on adoption of ecosystem based practices and approaches with possible focus on commodity value chains (cocoa, coffee, forest products);
• Sustainable pesticide management and promotion of bio-alternative pest management options.
• Coordination and management of activities assigned.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide inputs for policy and technical assistance to governments, such as cost-benefit analysis, policy assessments, policy drafting for biodiversity strategies and action plans, strategies for the sustainable management of genetic resources for food and agriculture, recommendations for management of biopesticides and highly hazardous pesticides, and formulation of national and/or regional strategies;
• Provide technical assistance and capacity building for the integration of ecosystem-based measures in agriculture production, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity for food and agriculture, as well as for value chain improvement;
• Develop policy options papers;
• Design and deliver training programmes for farmers, extension officers, and other agriculture sector stakeholders;
• Facilitate the organization of workshops/webinars, as appropriate, preparing agenda, lists of attendees, proposed speakers and key messages;
• Ensure proper implementation, monitoring and reporting of activities under his/her responsibility.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, biodiversity, environmental sciences.
• At least seven years of relevant experience in supporting policy processes, programme implementation and capacity-building activities related to biodiversity and pesticide management; and in the organisation of international, inter-governmental and/or technical meetings on related themes.
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other FAO languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish for Consultants. For PSA.SBS working knowledge of English will be sufficient.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of work experience in biodiversity in the context of food and agriculture;
• Extent and relevance of experience working with regional, national and local institutions, with cross-sectoral experience considered an asset;
• Demonstrated experience in policy-oriented technical assistance, policy implementation and capacity building on biodiversity conservation and management in the context of food and agriculture;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, from government officials to farmers;
• Demonstrated ability to formulate, draft and finalize clear technical and policy documents, guidelines and manuals;
• Work experience in ACP countries.

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