FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 1980-REU
Deadline For Application: 29 January 2008
Position Title Agric. Research and Biotechnology Officer
Duty Station Budapest, Hungary
Grade Level P-4
Duration Fixed term: three years
CCOG Code: 1.H.01
Organizational Unit Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU)

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Director, NRR, and the functional guidance of the Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, (REU) the incumbent will contribute to institutional capacity building in agricultural research and development, assessment and sharing of technologies including agricultural biotechnologies in the European and Central Asia Region. In particular, to:

  • advise FAO Members in the Region in developing and maintaining efficient National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), including the planning, formulation and development of policies, programmes and projects to generate, assess, adapt and share appropriate technologies for improved and sustainable production systems in agriculture, forestry and fisheries;
  • advise FAO Members in the Region in developing and strengthening capacities for the effective involvement of stakeholders in planning need-oriented research programmes and the establishment of functional linkages between research and extension;
  • assist in the identification and formulation of regional and national programmes for the development, assessment, application and regulation of biotechnology (biosafety) in food and agriculture;
  • provide technical backstopping to projects dealing with strengthening national and regional capacities for innovative market-oriented assessment and transfer that includes biotechnologies for food and agriculture and their biosafety regulations;
  • promote the development and use of guidelines, methodologies and criteria for assessing and disseminating agricultural technologies including biotechnologies;
  • liaise with research institutions in the region and with national, regional and subregional institutions, organizations and assistance agencies in order to promote linkages and partnerships for development, assessment and sharing of technologies including biotechnologies and their regulation through the cooperation, management of communication and information systems, information and technology data bases and training in research management, biotechnology and biosafety;
  • conduct periodic reviews and appraisals of the current situation of agricultural research and technology dissemination systems, applications and regulations of agricultural biotechnologies in the Region, synthesize and disseminate relevant information through FAO newsletters, databases, websites and publications;
  • prepare technical documentation, position and working papers, training materials and newsletters of relevant technical events on selected regional agricultural research and biotechnology development problems and policies;
  • plan, organize and participate in technical meetings, workshops and training sessions;
  • perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced University Degree in Agricultural Sciences, Forestry, Natural Resources Management, Agricultural Biotechnology, or a closely related field.
  • Seven years of relevant experience in an advisory and/or coordinating capacity at national and international levels in the field of applied agricultural research and biotechnology.
  • Working knowledge of English and French

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent and relevance of experience in advisory capacity at national and international levels in agricultural research and technology development;
  • Knowledge and skills on management of information systems and database development and management.
  • Relevance of experience in programme/project identification, formulation and implementation;
  • Ability to develop and implement plans and programmes and to work effectively in inter-disciplinary teams;
  • Ability to organize, coordinate and conduct meetings and training activities at national and regional levels;
  • Familiarity with regional and international agencies and organizations dealing with agricultural research for development;
  • Knowledge of Russian will be considered an asset

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.

REMUNERATION

Level P-4 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 93,617 US$ 117,377 (without dependants) and from US$ 100,531 to US$ 126,775 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 1980-REU
Director, Research and Extension Division, NR Department
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 55246
E-mail: NRRR-VA@fao.org

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates. Applications from qualified women candidates and applications from qualified candidates from non/under-represented member states are encouraged. Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the organization.

  FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT

  Post Number: C