FAO recruits 01 Agricultural Officer
Job Description: 1900883
Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection)
Closure Date: 16/May/2019, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: SNE
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional
Grade Level: P-4.
Primary Location: Tunisia-Tunis
Duration: Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension
Post Number: 2002263
CCOG Code: 1H01
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 and nationality
• People with disabilities are protected from any type of discrimination during any stage of employment, including the recruitment phase
• 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
FAO’s Sub-regional Office for North Africa (SNE office) covers Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. The SNE office provides technical support to FAO Representations in the sub-region towards the development and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes on food, agriculture and rural development. It also addresses cross border issues in close collaboration with institutions working on the same. The Sub-regional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE office) in Cairo.
The post is located in FAO’s Sub-regional Office for North Africa, Tunis, Tunisia
Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the Sub regional Coordinator, Sub-regional Office for North Africa (SNE)
Technical Focus
Provides technical and operational support for FAO programmes related to plant production, plant protection, implementation of phytosanitary standards, rural development, agriculture censuses, crop value chains, and crop related international Conventions/Agreements.
Key Results
Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications, and services
Key Functions
• Plans and leads components of multi-disciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams, and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services;
• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications, and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise;
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects;
• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, on-line tools;
• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings;
• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.
Specific Functions
• Supports countries in the sub-region, and FAO member countries in general, to enhance sustainable crop production systems, crop productivity, and sustainable crop protection taking an integrated approach;
• Promotes innovative practices and technologies to support sustainable crop production and productivity;
• Contributes to pest risks assessment and management plans, early warning systems, and networks to support member countries on transboundary plant pests in the sub-region;
• Contributes to the development of crop related inclusive value chains;
• Contributes to the development of strategies and approaches with FAO’s global policies, strategies and initiatives and maintain regular collaboration with colleagues in country offices, in RNE office and at headquarters in Rome;
• Contributes to the development and implementation of programmes addressing cross border issues (climate change adaptation and mitigation, pest prevention and management, etc.);
• Prepares project and programme proposals and reports.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture – crop production/protection, plant sciences or related field
• Seven years of relevant experience in crop production and protection, small scale family farming systems, innovative technologies, control of plant diseases
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Russian, Arabic or Chinese
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;
• Demonstrated ability and experience in cooperating with officials in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in collaborative networks and joint programmes;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the analysis, formulation and implementation of programmes and contribute to policies for environmental and social sustainability improvement in crop production and production;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in sustainable crop production and ecosystem management with particular emphasis on plant protection;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in the implementation of international instruments related to plant protection
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and understanding of the work of international organizations and national governments
• Ability to mobilize resources.
• Extent and relevance of experience in North Africa is desirable
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
GENERAL INFORMATION
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO Professional Employment Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station.
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list;
Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
Incomplete applications will not be considered;
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
Vacancies will be removed from the recruitment portal at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date;
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT