Call for experts: GIAHS Scientific Advisory Group

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, and conserve and develop 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 the final decision to designate GIAHS sites. 

FAO is currently in the process of establishing a new SAG for the 2026-2027 term by nominating five new experts – representing Asia and the Pacific (one vacancy), Europe and Central Asia (one vacancy), North America regions (one vacancy), as well as two global positions (two vacancies) – who are considered to have the qualifications to perform the expected tasks. These new five members will join the four current members whose term has been extended for another two years.

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

Roles and responsibilities of the GIAHS SAG Experts

Experts are selected for a mandate of two years, renewable for one additional two-year term. During this time, the experts will have to participate in two to three sessions per year, through either video conferences or in-person meetings at FAO headquarters, in Rome, Italy. The main tasks include:

• Making a decision to designate a GIAHS site through analysis and evaluation of information provided in proposal documents in coordination with the group of SAG experts;
• Conducting field visits to potential GIAHS sites to evaluate information provided;
• Providing inputs to technical documents developed by the GIAHS Secretariat for the effective operation of the Programme;
• Supporting the Secretariat in developing and improving the basic conceptual frameworks of GIAHS, such as definition criteria, and rules and procedures for GIAHS designation;
• Providing wide-ranging orientations and scientific inputs to strengthen the Programme; and
• 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, according to the following criteria:

Specific requirements:

• Advanced university degree (PhD level is preferred) and at least 10 years of experience and expertise in one of the following fields: agronomy, forestry, fisheries, natural resource management, ecology (agroecology), biodiversity, anthropology, integrated landscape approaches, sustainable rural development, agricultural economics and policies or other related fields. Inter- and multi-disciplinary expertise or experiences is viewed favourably.
• Previous experience in activities and/or projects related to GIAHS.
• Past or current fieldwork and/or studies related to natural resources conservation, sustainable development, heritage-related approaches of agricultural systems, combining scientific, social and environmental dimensions. Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals in these topics are highly-valued.
• Mandatory working knowledge of English, both written and oral. The SAG working language is English only. Knowledge of other FAO official languages (French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian or Arabic) 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 respectful manner.
• Willingness and availability to participate continuously in the work of the SAG throughout the year, including face-to-face and virtual meetings (at least two to three sessions per year) and intersessional dedication is essential.
• Affiliation with a recognized public or non-for-profit institution or organization is required.
• Individuals employed by government entities are not eligible.
• Independent professionals and freelance consultants are not eligible.

Selection of experts

Applicants' curricula vitae (CV) will be reviewed based upon the criteria listed above. In addition, in selecting the experts, FAO will consider diversity and complementarities of scientific backgrounds, and balanced representation from geographic regions, including developing and developed countries, as well as gender balance.

Interviews will be conducted with pre-qualified candidates. Unsuccessful candidates will not routinely be notified.

Appointment of experts: conditions and principles

The designated experts will not receive any remuneration. However, where an in-person expert meeting or field visit is held, travel costs, subsistence allowances and other related expenses will be covered by FAO.

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

The renewal of their mandate for an additional two years may be subject to an interim evaluation.

Applications

Interested applicants should submit their CV in English, with a maximum length of three pages. The CV should include a description of the information required in the above “Expertise required” section and highlight its relevance to GIAHS.

Deadline

Please submit the CV at your earliest convenience, but no later than May 12th.

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

[email protected]