Organizational Setting

In 2021 FAO initiated the process of inter-regional exchange of good experiences and practices in the five regions on different themes. Based on the strong expertise in the region, the FAO Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia established the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture in May 2022, with the aim to facilitate the sharing of knowledge within the region and among other regions on the various areas of green agriculture, with the involvement of international, national and local development partners, building on good experiences and enhancing regional and interregional collaboration. The platform aims at contributing to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals, and the FAO Strategic Framework.

Under the Green Agriculture related activities FAO REU is aiming to further enhance green agriculture knowledge-sharing and capacities in the region and provide coordination on scientific research. Furthermore, it seeks to establish well-functioning partnerships through the FAO Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture as a digital tool to provide an intraregional and interregional gateway for sharing information and facilitate knowledge-sharing among expert networks in technical areas related to green agriculture.

The purpose of this call is to provide REU with a list of qualified candidates who can provide technical support to the activities on green agriculture in the region.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Assistant Director General, Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia and the direct supervision of the Lead Technical Officer of the project and Regional Initiative 3 Coordinator on Managing natural resources sustainably and preserving biodiversity in a changing climate, in collaboration with relevant technical officers. When activities are carried out in countries, the consultant will be required to work in close collaboration with the FAO Representations in the project beneficiary countries, as well as the relevant FAO regional office.
Technical Focus 

Provide technical support for the effective implementation and promotion on Green Agriculture at intra and inter regional level. Provide expertise on green agriculture and coordinate the integration of relevant technical areas into the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture.

Tasks and responsibilities

Tasks could include but are not limited to:
•    Provide technical advice for the development of the content the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture; Oversee and supervise the activities of the consultants and Expert Working Group contributing to the different elements of the project;
•    Oversee the development of e-learning course, studies and other knowledge materials planned;
•    Collaborate with other consultants and technical officers under the project to develop and implement a call for good practices on green agriculture and select the best ones to promote them on the RTP;
•    Support the identification and coordination of the outreach to potential stakeholders to join the Regional Partnership on Green Agriculture;
•    Coordinate and provide technical advice to the development of the global overview of green agriculture and national policy review of green agricultural policies and other documents developed related to green agriculture.
•    Provide technical advice for updating on the technical themes of the Regional Technical Platform on Green Agriculture, providing narratives on selected thematic areas and identify new potential synergies with other FAO programmes
•    Coordinate the implementation of the roadmap on Green Agriculture;

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    Advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry, biology, environmental sciences, natural resource management, or related disciplines.
•    A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience on green/sustainable agrifood systems and agricultural research for development sector on the international level.
•    Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Working knowledge of Russian would be an asset.
•    Familiarity with UN work.
•    Experience in developing and delivering programmes of work or projects on green/sustainable agrifood systems.
•    Demonstrated experience in analysing information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments.
•    Track record of building strong stakeholder relationships with public and private partners.
•    Experience on knowledge management and communication would be an asset.