Agricultural Officer

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) leads FAO’s support to countries in the region in transforming their agrifood systems to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It identifies regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development and ensures the planning and implementation of FAO’s strategic response in the region through a multidisciplinary approach. It implements approved programmes and projects, monitors programme implementation and ensures that they contribute to addressing regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the FAO Strategic Framework and Programme of Work and Budget.

RNE supports regional policy dialogues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships and supports knowledge exchange, capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region. It develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs).

The post is located in the Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) in Cairo, Egypt.

Reporting Lines

• The Agricultural Officer reports to the Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection), RNE.

Technical Focus

• Integrated pest and disease management practices that optimize productivity of cropping systems and minimize risks to human and animal health and the environment.

Key Results

• Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and project/meeting services to support programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• • Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
• • Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents.
• • Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems.
• • Updates databases and web pages.
• • Participates in multidisciplinary project/work teams.
• • Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.
• • Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Supports the coordination, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting of RNE’s work on transboundary plant pests and diseases, in particular relating to integrated plant health management approaches, which incorporate ecosystem health, in support of sustainable crop production systems, in the Near East and North Africa (NENA) Region.
• Contributes to the strengthening of Members’ institutional and human capacities and the development of knowledge products and supporting advocacy materials that enhance the adoption of integrated plant health management as an integral component of the One Health approach, which includes other pillars, e.g. human, animal and environmental health.
• Contributes to support provided to Member Nations’ participation in programmes for the management of plant pests and diseases, including all stages of the risk assessment and management system.
• Contributes to the support provided to Members for the implementation of relevant international agreements and conventions related to pests and pesticide management, including the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC); the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management; the Rotterdam Convention; and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Contributes to resource mobilization in support of an integrated plant health management approach.
• Contributes to assistance provided to Member Nations to facilitate collaboration among regional and national plant protection programmes.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, crop protection, plant pest management, entomology, plant pathology or related field.
• Three years of relevant experience in crop protection, preferably with working experience in management of key pests and diseases of NENA region.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Source: https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2402627