Associate Professional Officer (Sustainable Bioeconomy)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

• 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 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
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 Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) promotes integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture. OCB assists Members in their responses towards the challenge of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as the development of adaptive capacities of agriculture, fisheries and forestry for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and other natural resources. It provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment. The Division also serves as a focal point to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Green Climate Fund (GCF), for a multidisciplinary and global approach to bioenergy as well as undertaking work and providing support and guidance on Disaster and Risk Reduction issues.

The Sustainable Bioeconomy Group of the Environment work stream supports systemic changes towards efficient, circular, sustainable and resilient agrifood systems and coordinates implementation of the FAO Priority Programme Area (PPA) on Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture in the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031.

The post is located in FAO headquarters, Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines
The Associate Professional Officer (Sustainable Bioeconomy) reports to the Senior Natural Resources Officer and works in close cooperation with relevant Officer(s) in the FAO Regional/Country Office and/or FAO relevant Units.

Technical Focus
Provide technical, policy and programme support promoting sustainable bioeconomy in food and agriculture through technological (biotechnology, bioengineering, product design for outcome, and bio-based processing), organizational (policies and institutional behaviour) and social innovations (societal awareness, data systems, and human capital), that promote responsible consumption and production based on healthier diets and efficient use and reuse of biological resources and improve livelihoods. Support countries in the formulation and implementation of integrated evidence-based bioeconomy policies and practices for sustainable and circular agrifood systems that are inclusive of rural communities, indigenous groups, youth and women.

Key Results
Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions
• Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services;
• Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents;
• Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems;
• Updates databases and web pages;
• Participates in multi-disciplinary project/work teams;
• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc.;
• Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions
• Contributes to the development of new FAO data, methods, tools and services for sustainable and circular bioeconomy used for practices, policies, programmes and investment projects in agrifood sectors;
• Provides technical support for the design and the implementation of FAO’s projects and programmes aimed at scaling up sustainable and circular bioeconomy at a global, regional and national level;
• Contributes to the establishment of FAO’s sustainable bioeconomy knowledge platform;
• Supports coordination of FAO’s PPA on Bioeconomy for Sustainable Food and Agriculture;
• Contributes to the development of relevant knowledge products;
• Supports establishing partnerships with relevant international organizations, both inter-governmental, non-governmental, and the private sector.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, biotechnology, natural resources management, engineering, environmental economics, agriculture, innovation, plant sciences or a related field;
• Three years of relevant experience in analysing scientific and related policy questions, conducting research and writing reports, and project/programme management in the field of sustainable bioeconomy, innovation and biotechnologies;
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Note: This post is opened in the context of the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) scheme sponsored by the Government of the Netherlands and is addressed exclusively to PEOPLE WITH DUTCH NATIONALITY.

For criteria see the website of Nedworc Foundation: (maximum of four years relevant working experience).
Junior Professional Officer Programme - Nedworc Foundation

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;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in technical and policy matters related to sustainable bioeconomy, biotechnologies and innovation and sustainable natural resources management in food and agriculture;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific and policy documents and in organizing meetings and workshops;
• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analysing and summarizing technical information and data;
• Familiarity with data analysis and web-publishing software.