Phytosanitary Technical Specialist

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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 International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 184 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 governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO and supports the implementation of policies and activities of the CPM and carrying out such other functions as may be assigned and one of the main functions of the Secretariat is 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. The IPPC Secretariat currently has the ability to function fully in a virtual work environment, and staff may be required to work from their homes.

Reporting Lines

The International Phytosanitary Specialist reports to one of the units in the IPPC Secretariat, including SSU, IFU or IST.

Technical Focus

The Organization frequently engages experts to work on short to medium term projects as consultants (COF.REG.) or under a Personal Services Agreement (PSAs). The functions of the consultants and PSAs are results-oriented and normally involve analyzing complex issues related to plant health.

Specifically to:

• Support the IPPC Secretariat in delivering its work programme to strengthen IPPC contracting parties’ national capacities and capability to implement the provisions of the IPPC, International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Recommendations.

• Provide technical assistance in phytosanitary matters, contribute to developing technical resources to support the implementation of the Convention, ISPMs and CPM Recommendations, conduct technical seminars or training courses and prepare relevant reports and develop well written documents that are both clear and precise.

A COF.REG./PSA is designed to provide the Organization with expertise, skills or knowledge for carrying out specific tasks or projects, which is short-term by nature. The assignment may involve full-time or part-time functions similar to those of staff members.

The duration of the assignment is up to 11 months in a 12 month period. The possibility of extension is subject to satisfactory performance and depending on the Secretariat’s resources and needs.

The objective of the Call for Expression of interest for Consultants and PSAs is to attract talents with technical experience and knowledge related to Phytosanitary issues to populate the IPPC Specialists Roster. Candidates who are registered in the Roster will be considered whenever relevant opportunities arise.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Prepare project and activity updates for donors and the IPPC Secretariat. 
• Lead the preparation and organization of global or regional phytosanitary training and meeting activities as required. 
• Lead the development of communication and project management materials based on the needs of the project. 
• Manages Phytosanitary projects.
• Facilitate implementation activities such as Phytosanitary Capacity Evaluations.
• Provide technical support and technical inputs to related key Implementation and Capacity Development activities and projects under the oversight of the Secretariat.  
• Develop well-written documents that are both clear and precise targeted to the relevant stakeholder.
• Undertake other related professional duties as required and assigned by the supervisor. 

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• 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 COF.REG.
• Seven years of relevant experience in plant protection and/or international cooperation and project management.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) for Consultants. In the case of PSA.SBS, the requirement is the working knowledge of English.

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 plant protection, international cooperation project management
• Extent and relevance of experience in writing technical and promotional documents
• Extent and relevant of experience in drafting studies and report including in-depth analysis
• Extent and relevant of experience in working with digital and virtual tools.

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