Senior Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection)

The Senior Agricultural Officer reports to the ADG/RR RAP and works under the technical supervision of the Group Leader.

Plant protection; pest and disease control policies and legislation; pesticides and their regulations; sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures; biological and agro-ecological control methods; responses to national and trans-boundary pest and disease outbreaks and plant health emergencies.

Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Regional Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with Region objectives FAO Strategic Objectives and in alignment with the Organization's Gender Policy.

• Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates in Regional committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
• Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies;
• Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks;
• Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services;
• Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes;
• Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning, on-line tools;
• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders;
• Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy.

• Advises FAO member countries in the region in identification, design, operation and evaluation of programmes on sustainable plant protection against weeds, pests and diseases, sanitary and phytosanitary issues and integrated pest management
• Provides technical support to the Secretariat of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Agreement and its Commission including organization of regular sessions of the Commission, execution of its agreed work programme, guidance on regional phytosanitary standard setting and the maintenance of the regional phytosanitary information system.
• Promotes and strengthens the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on the distribution and use of pesticides
• Supports the implementation of relevant international conventions (such as IPPC and Rotterdam Conventions) among countries in the region
• Oversees the collection of data and evidence to promote the development of agro-ecological plant protection alternatives and other modern technologies to support climate smart actions in agriculture
• Provides technical support and project backstopping services to FAO Representatives, project managers and for field projects in the region as Lead Technical Officer or part of the Project Task Force
• Maintains liaison with plant protection, quarantine and other relevant organizations and with national and regional institutions involved in the area
• Leads the development of viable responses to plant health emergencies and pest and disease outbreaks and long term solutions including natural sources of resistance and biodiversity
• Develops whole-of-system solutions for plant quarantine and protection in collaboration with the natural resources and policy teams in RAP
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced University degree in Agriculture, Plant Science with specialization in entomology, plant pathology, plant protection, pest and disease control or related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in planning and implementing of programmes and projects with an emphasis on plant protection with public or private sector institutions, international organizations including related policies in developing countries.
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential
• Demonstrated analytical, managerial, negotiating and advisory skills with good publication record
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of the work of national governments and international organizations
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of programmes and projects related to plant protection in development organizations
• Proven ability to make effective oral presentations and write and edit clear and concise technical reports
• Proven ability to mobilize resources
• Relevant experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses.