Locust Information Specialist

Organizational Setting

FAO Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region (CRC) promotes the transition to sustainable crop production systems. A key role of the Commission is strengthening cooperation and coordination among the member states. This strategy supports early detection of gregarious locust populations and rapid intervention to eliminate dangerous infestations before they damage crops. Consequently, the Commission contributes to food security, hunger relief, and poverty alleviation throughout the Near East, Horn of Africa region.
The position is located within CRC Secretariat office in Cairo, Egypt. CRC provides advice, technical support, and guidance to member countries on the sustainable management and control of and the Desert Locusts. The incumbent will use the latest satellite imageries to monitor the weather, ecological conditions, and Desert locust situation on a daily basis and analyze the information received from national Desert Locust control centers of CRC member countries.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct technical guidance and supervision of the Executive Secretary of the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region.

Technical Focus

CRC monitors regional desert locust early warning systems to prevent devastating desert locust plagues. It assists member countries in providing field information. The service provides advice about weather, ecology, and locust situations to affected countries so they can plan and implement effective survey and control measures.

Tasks and responsibilities

The Locust Information Specialist will be part of CRC team that assist the member countries to monitor the Desert Locust situation in the region and provide them the necessary support to implement a preventive control strategy. He will also assist in improving the survey and early warning capacity of the member countries by training locust information officers, plant protection officers, and providing references and materials for surveys and communication.
The incumbent will be working directly under supervision of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, to support the operation of the Desert Locust monitoring, early warning and forecasting systems, more specifically:
• Contribute to enhance the locust early warning, monitoring, forecasting and reporting systems;
• Assist in analyzing locust, ecological, rainfall, meteorological, and remote sensing data using a custom geographic information system;
• Assist in facilitating coherent management of all Desert Locust reports received from countries;
• Assist in timely preparation of accurate locust situation assessments, summaries, and forecasts, national locust control units to improve data collection and reporting;
• Carry out training programs and undertake field missions to join national locust teams for familiarization of Desert Locust habitats;
• Support CRC field projects, including Desert Locust emergencies;
• Collect, manipulate, and refine geographic data from a variety of sources, create and update GIS datasets, develop, and implement GIS-based analyses, and prepare, complete, and accurate representations of spatial data.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of geospatial data for desktop and mobile applications; process data and graphics requests. Ensure data is accurate and complies with standards.
• Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture/agronomy, agriculture-related GIS, pest monitoring and early warning systems; or any related field to the above listed tasks;
• A minimum of three years relevant experience in GIS, spatial analysis, plant pest modelling and prediction systems, pest reporting and management systems;
• Working knowledge (level C) of Arabic and English is required;
• National of Egypt.

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 biology and ecology and monitoring systems ;
• Extent and relevance of experience in Geographical Information Systems, remote sensing, data analysis, pest modelling and forecasting;
• Familiarity with FAO’s Desert Locust Information Systems and previous working experience with FAO or other Locust management organizations are an asset.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION