Agricultural Officer

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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 persons 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.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

Organizational Setting

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 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 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade (NSPRD), which is one of the six teams in NSP. The Team provides technical advice and guidance to Parties of the Rotterdam Convention in support of its implementation and services the meetings of the Conference of Parties and associated subsidiary bodies. The Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention is provided jointly with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in Geneva and works in synergy with the Basel and Stockholm Convention Secretariat. The incumbent works in close cooperation with staff in Geneva, FAO headquarters and Decentralized Offices.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer reports to the Senior Technical Officer/Team Leader, NSPRD.

Technical Focus

Implementation of programmes of work for the Rotterdam Convention, in particular normative work and with a focus on the sound management of pesticides and pesticide risk reduction strategies.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
• Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
• Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
• Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Prepares background information, draft technical documents for all subsidiary body meetings of the Rotterdam Convention and assists in their preparation and conduct.
• Drafts technical documents and supports the organization of the sessions of the Conference of Parties in close cooperation with the UNEP colleagues of the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Convention Secretariat in Geneva.
• Assists in developing policy, technical requirements, methods and guidelines for the operation of the Rotterdam Convention.
• Develops training and awareness raising materials and participates in the conduct of training courses.
• Analyses technical and policy issues on current developments in agricultural pesticides, in particular with regard to the sound management of pesticides.
• Develops and maintains contacts and cooperation with a range of stakeholders including governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations to ensure the Secretariat’s involvement in international developments related to the sound management of pesticides, chemicals and waste.
• Assists FAO Members in the implementation of the Rotterdam Convention.
• Performs other related duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture or related natural sciences with emphasis on one of the following: plant pathology, pesticide risk assessment, environmental studies and environmental management.
• Five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: pesticide management, including information exchange via databases and work experience with international organizations.
• Working knowledge (full proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

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, is desirable.
• Experience with multilateral environmental agreements, instruments and mechanisms relevant to pesticides and chemicals management at international level.
• Extent and relevance of organizing meetings of governing and subsidiary bodies.
• Experience in designing projects, programmes, technical documents and reports related to pesticide management.
• Knowledge and experience in preparation of training materials and in organizing and delivering technical meetings and workshops.
• Experience in knowledge management and information dissemination, including databases.
• Knowledge and application of monitoring and tracking tools to assess impact.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise technical documents and reports in English is highly desirable.
• Knowledge and experience in application of new digital tools in programmes and communication.