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 in order to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.
The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 184 contracting parties, which aims to protect the world’s cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within NSP and supports the implementation of policies and activities of the CPM and carrying out such other functions as may be assigned and one of the main functions of the Secretariat is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC’s mandates.

Reporting Lines 

The incumbent will report to the IPPC Secretariat Standard Setting Unit Lead or the Deputy Lead to the Standard Setting Unit.

Technical Focus 

The Specialist will support the work of IPPC Standard Setting Unit in line with its work program and IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Provide support to the technical lead and to the Technical Panel on Commodity Standards (TPCS) and Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP) and to the work of the IPPC technical panels and expert working groups;
•    Elaborate discussion papers, concept notes and reports (including, note-taking, drafting, formatting);
•    Provide editorial and technical support for the development of other international standards for phytosanitary measures (ISPMs), as appropriate;
•    Elaborate meeting reports according to FAO and IPPC guidelines;
•    Support the consultation and notification periods for draft ISPMs, call for information material and call for experts (tracking, editing, translation, provision of documents for stewards, etc.);
•    Carry out extensive research on topics of interest to the work of the IPPC in support of ongoing tasks;
•    Provide technical support to the IPPC Standard Setting Unit Team;
•    Contribute to the implementation of the IPPC Secretariat Standard Setting Unit (SSU) work programme;
•    Assist with the meetings of the IPPC Standards Committee (SC) as appropriate;
•    Ensure that the relevant information on International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) relating to assigned areas of responsibility is updated and accurate;
•    Provide input into outreach material as requested;
•    Assist the IPPC Secretariat with a variety of programming and administrative functions relevant to the work programme;
•    Travel as and when necessary for meetings, in line with any potential travel restrictions;
•    Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in Biology, Agronomy with a specialization pest control, plant pathology, entomology or a related field.
•    Minimum of one year of relevant experience in international cooperation and project management.
•    Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) for Consultants. In the case of PSA.SBS, the requirement is the working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•    Technical knowledge of plant protection;
•    Knowledge of IPPC work and its standard setting procedure.
•    Relevance experience in working with international organizations (especially Secretariats)
•    Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and facilitating meetings;
•    Extent and relevance of experience in writing, editing and formatting technical documents;
•    Work experience in more than one location or area of work is an asset.
•    Relevance of experience in standard setting organization is an asset.