FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

  • 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
  • FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

Organizational Setting

The main aim of FAO Country Office, headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO Kyrgyzstan assists the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic to develop policies, programmes and projects to address the root causes of hunger and malnutrition, to develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors and to use environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner. FAO participates in the development and implementation of field projects in the sectors of food security, agriculture and rural development. This requires the integration within the broader framework of sustainable food and agriculture that aims at increasing production and productivity, addressing climate change, and managing natural resources; and enhance rural livelihoods.

In this context, the FAO is implementing in collaboration with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the GEF- funded project “Implementation of the National Biosafety Mechanism in the Kyrgyz Republic in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety” (GCP/KYR/023/GFF). Project activities are aligned to the immediate needs, particularly those associated with the post-COVID socio-economic rehabilitation framework, as well as longer term development challenges associated with Agenda 2030 and beyond. This assignment will contribute to project objective, such as provision of technical guidance and assistance for the implementation of the regulatory framework on biosafety at the national level, including the establishment of administrative systems and institutional arrangements, such as laboratories for LMO detection and human resource capacities in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist on Living Modified Organisms (LMO), Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Monitoring will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic. He/she will work in close coordination with the Project Lead Technical Officer (LTO), in cooperation with the International Expert on risk assessment, risk management, detection and identification, the National Technical Chief Advisor and the national counterparts and with other project international and national consultants. An incumbent will undertake the following duties:

Technical Focus

Drafting and finalisation of a National Policy Document on Biosafety for the Kyrgyz Republic

Tasks and responsibilities

The LMO Risk Assessment, Risk Management and Monitoring National Specialist will provide high-level support to:

  • Assist National Technical Chief Advisor with the establishment of consultation activities with the relevant ministries and agencies in the country;
  • Identify and develop procedures and mechanisms, with clear workflows and responsibilities, for activities to develop national capacity for the operationalization of biosafety measures in compliance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, related to risk assessment, risk management and monitoring;
  • Contribute to the development of one technical guideline/manual on risk assessment, risk management and monitoring, including emergency response plan;
  • Participate in developing and conducting two training courses on risk assessment, risk management and monitoring for about 40 government officials each time;
  • Participate in organizing and conducting two follow up workshops after the training courses;
  • Identify and contribute to the development of institutional arrangements for establishment of new curricula and a potential host training center in biosafety;
  • Other related activities on LMO risk assessment, risk management and monitoring.
  • Perform any other duties when required;
  • Support the development of the mid-term and final evaluation reports.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

  • University degree in agriculture, environmental law, biosafety, biotechnology, agronomy, biodiversity conservation, and other related fields;
  • At least 5 years of demonstrated experience in LMO risk assessment and risk management;
  • Working knowledge (level C) of English and Russian languages, Kyrgyz is an asset;
  • National or Resident of the Kyrgyz Republic

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/ Functional Skills

  • Proven communication skills, with governmental authorities, national and international experts and local communities;
  • Proven leadership skills, demonstrated ability to promote new approaches and new practices;
  • Systematic and efficient approach to work assignments, good judgment and analytical ability;
  • Knowledge on UN system is an asset;
  • Experience in programme/project matters with international organizations would be desirable.

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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