FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Professional Vacancy Announcement No: 2080-SLC
Deadline For Application: 14 November 2008
Position Title Plant Production and Protection Officer
Duty Station Bridgetown, Barbados
Grade Level P-4
Duration Fixed term: 3 years
CCOG Code: 1H01
Organizational Unit SUBREGIONAL OFFICE FOR THE CARIBBEAN, SLC

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Subregional Coordinator and the functional guidance of the Director of the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP), the incumbent will provide support on matters related to the field of sustainable plant production and protection to the Subregional Multidisciplinary Team which will lead FAO’s response to the needs of the Subregion, including those of the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). Specifically to:

  • Assist FAO Members in the identification, formulation and implementation of plant production and protection strategies and programmes;
  • Ensure that plant production and protection is effectively integrated into the work of the Multidisciplinary Team;
  • Conduct periodic reviews and appraisals of the current plant production and protection situation in the Subregion, through studies and surveys;
  • Provide technical backstopping to projects dealing with the strengthening of plant production and protection in the Subregion;
  • Act as focal point for Subregional plant production and protection programmes and assist Members to strengthen and improve their phytosanitary capacity and capabilities in surveillance and monitoring, pest diagnosis, pest monitoring, including management of invasive alien species and transboundary, including quarantine, pests;
  • Prepare technical documentation, papers and training material;
  • Act as focal point for information exchange and support for national and subregional training on actions required for the support and the implementation of relevant international conventions and agreements, in particular the IPPC, the Rotterdam Convention and the Global Plan of Action on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture;
  • Contribute to and participated in the planning and execution of FAO regular programme activities on plant production and protection and support FAO global and regional plant production and protection programmes;
  • Liaise with academic/research institutions and “centres of excellence” in the Subregion and with national, regional and subregional institutions, organizations and bilateral assistance agencies in order to promote subregional cooperation in plant production and protection;
  • Develop advocacy papers, training manuals and other communication materials;
  • Plan, organize and participate in subregional meetings, conferences, seminars dealing with plant production and protection;
  • Participate in regional and global planning and reporting ;
  • Provide advice on sustainable intensification of crop production in response to the soaring food prices crisis;
  • Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:

  • Advanced University Degree in one of the following: Crop Protection, Plant Sciences or a closely related field
  • Seven years of relevant experience in plant production and/or protection which included working experience with international organizations
  • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of Spanish or French

SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:

  • Extent of experience in plant production, including agronomy and plant genetic resources, and protection, specially in the Caribbean and Central American countries
  • Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation and implementation of projects, programmes and studies in the field of crop production and protection and extent of skills in analysing, interpreting and synthesizing scientific information
  • Proven ability to work independently and in multi-disciplinary teams, to prioritize tasks, and deal promptly with urgent issues
  • Depth of knowledge and understanding of the work of international organizations, international instruments and national governments and extent of experience in providing policy advice at local, national, and subregional levels
  • Extent and relevance of negotiating and advisory skills and ability to organize and conduct technical meetings, conferences and workshops at community, national, or subregional levels
  • Extent of both oral and written communication skills (including ability to write concise reports)

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$ 96,596 US$ 121,114 (without dependants) and from US$ 103,730 to US$ 130,810 (with dependants)

TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants

Send your application to:

V.A 2080-SLC
Mr Elcio P. Guimaraes, AGPC
FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla 00100 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 57056347
E-mail: VA-2080-SLC@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/2000947