FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 2009-RNE
Deadline For Application: 4 June 2008
Position Title Senior Officer (Agro-Industries and Technologies)
Duty Station Cairo, Egypt
Grade Level P-5
Duration Fixed-Term: 2 years
CCOG Code: 1E13
Organizational Unit Regional Office for the Near East, RNE

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall managerial and administrative responsibility of the ADG/RR for the Near East, and the direct technical supervision of the Director, Research and Extension Division, (NRR), the incumbent will contribute to the delivery of policy advice and to institutional and human capacity development in agro-industries, agricultural research and technology dissemination in the Near East Region. Specifically to:

  • advise FAO Members in the Region in planning, formulation and implementation of policies, strategies and programmes to strengthen national agricultural research systems and develop their capacity to generate, develop, adapt, and disseminate appropriate technologies for sustainable agricultural development and food security;
  • provide policy and technical advice to FAO Members in the Region to strengthen national capacities in agricultural research and to form effective partnerships with private sector enterprises to link research outputs to sector needs, including biotechnologies and biosafety;
  • provide policy and technical advice to FAO Members in the Region to develop capacity in agro-industries to support development of the sector;
  • promote the establishment of effective research, extension, agro-industry and farmer linkages, including through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) and media channels;
  • conduct periodic reviews and appraisals of the current situation of agricultural research and extension institutions and agro-industries in the Region through technical studies, synthesize findings and provide inputs to relevant FAO units, documents and publications;
  • promote the formulation and use of standards, guidelines and methodologies related to agro-industries, agricultural research and technology dissemination among FAOMembers in the Region;
  • design, formulate of and implement projects aimed at strengthening regional capacity in agro-industries, technology assessment and dissemination;
  • promote regional/subregional partnerships and cooperation, coordinate exchange of information and assist in the development and management of information systems, databases and networks;
  • provide the units concerned at RO/SRO and HQs levels with relevant inputs for region-wide periodic planning exercises, analyses and reports;
  • provide leadership, input and coordination to the professional staff of review missions, task forces and technical meetings as required;
  • plan, organize and participate in technical meetings, workshops and training programmes;
  • perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, extension, and/or food technology, agro-industry or related fields.
  • Ten years of relevant experience in the planning and execution of agricultural research, extension and/or agro-industry programmes and activities. Experience in project design and implementation related to the needs of developing countries. Experience in advisory capacity at national and international levels in the fields of research, extension, technology development/dissemination, agro-industry or similar fields.
  • Working knowledge of two languages English, Arabic or French.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent of experience in an advisory capacity at national, regional and international levels and familiarity with agricultural research/extension systems, technology development and agro-industries in the Near East.
  • Ability to provide policy and technical advice and to work effectively with high-level government officials and with people of different cultural and technical backgrounds.
  • Ability to design, formulate and implement projects, programmes and studies.
  • Knowledge of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and other media for establishing effective linkages.
  • Experience in the use and development of information systems, databases and networks.
  • Level of negotiation, analytical and communication skills, including ability to write concise reports.
  • Ability to organize and conduct technical meetings and training activities.
  • Knowledge of a third language, among the languages mentioned above, is 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-5 carries a net salary per year (inclusive of a variable element for post adjustment) from US$ 99,344 US$ 117,062 (without dependants) and from US$ 106,936 to US$ 127,040 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2009-RNE
Director, Research and Extension Division (NRR) Natural Resources, Management and Environment Department (NRR)
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 570 55731
E-mail: VA-2009-RNE@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/0436119