Background

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) is a FAO programme, which aims to identify unique agricultural systems supported by agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge, cultures and outstanding landscapes, aiming at conservation and development of the sites through a holistic approach.

The GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) is an expert body, composed of 9 members nominated by FAO’s Director General, in their individual capacity (not as a representative of a member country) considering regional and gender balance, to evaluate GIAHS proposal documents and make a final decision of designating GIAHS sites.  

FAO is currently in the process of establishing a new SAG for the 2024-2025 term by nominating four new experts representing Asia/Pacific, Near East, Africa and Latin America and Caribbean regions who are considered as having qualification to perform the expected tasks. These new four members will join the current five members whose term has been extended for another two years and will form a new SAG.

This call for experts is to solicit applicants for the four vacant positions.

Role and responsibilities of the GIAHS SAG Experts

Experts are selected for a mandate of two years, renewable for one additional term. Experts are selected for a mandate of two years, renewable for one additional term. During this time, the experts will have to participate in two to three sessions in a year, through either video conference or physical meetings in FAO headquarters. Main tasks consist of:

• Making a decision to designate a GIAHS site through analysis and evaluation of the information provided in proposal document.
• Conducting field visits for each potential GIAHS site to evaluate the information provided.
• Elaborating technical documents for the effective operation of the Programme.
• Developing and improving the rules and procedures for GIAHS designation.
• Providing wide orientations and scientific inputs to mainstream the Programme.
• Taking part in seminars and workshops to present the specific features of GIAHS sites.

Expertise required

SAG members will be selected based on their skills and experience, following the below criteria:

Specific requirements:

• At least 10 years of experience and expertise in one of the following fields: agronomy, forestry, fisheries, natural resource management, ecology (agroecology), biodiversity, human sciences related to agriculture, landscape approaches, sustainable rural development, agricultural economics and policies or other related fields. Inter- and multi-disciplinary expertise or experiences is well evaluated.
• Concrete involvement in implementation of administrative or practical tasks and/or projects related to GIAHS.
• Past or current fieldwork and/or studies related to conservation, sustainable development, heritage-related approaches of agricultural systems, combining scientific, social and environmental dimensions. Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals are preferable, in particular, within the most recent 5 years.
• Working knowledge of English, both written and oral. Knowledge of a second FAO official language is an asset.

General criteria:

• Evidence of leadership or invited participation in international scientific bodies, committees, and other expert advisory bodies, pertinent to the scope of this work.
• Willingness to work with experts from different cultural backgrounds and FAO staff in a collaborative and mutually respecting manner.
• Willingness and availability to participate continuously in the work of the SAG throughout the year, including face-to-face meetings, virtual meetings, and intersession work is essential (two to three sessions per year).

Selection of experts

Applicants' curricula vitae (CV) will be reviewed based on the criteria listed above by a selection panel consisting of several individuals established by FAO. In selecting the experts, FAO will consider, in addition to scientific and technical excellence, diversity and complementarities of scientific backgrounds, and balanced representation from geographic regions, including developing and developed countries, as well as gender. Unsuccessful candidates will not routinely be notified.

Appointment of experts: conditions and principles

The designated experts will not receive any remuneration. However, where a physical expert meeting is held, travel cost, subsistence allowance and other related expenses will be covered by FAO.

Selected experts will be invited to contribute to the meeting only in their individual scientific capacity, and not in representation of any country or institution, in line with the principles of transparency, objectiveness and independence.

Applications

Interested applicants should submit their CV (CV format is flexible, but it should be written in English). The CV should include a description of the information as required in the above “Expertise Required”. Applicants must have a good working knowledge of English as correspondence and meetings will be in English only.

Deadline

Please submit the CV at your earliest convenience, but no later than 14 March 2024.

The submissions of CVs in response to the call for experts should be sent to:

[email protected]