Research Assistant

Organizational Setting

This position is located in FAO Representation to Pakistan, based in Islamabad. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by an FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural , fisheries and forestry sectors and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall administration of the FAO Representative in Pakistan and direct supervision of Assistant Representative – Program, and FAO Focal Person on Pest against Crops (PaC), the research assistant will be responsible for performing the following tasks:

Technical Focus

• To meet challenging situation FAO extends support in areas like information, coordination as well as logistic and technical support to the Department of Plant Protection/Ministry of National Food security and Research in managing the Desert Locust spread in the country.
• Technical capacity building and provides essential equipment and machinery for effective management of desert locust spread through projects started with the support of development partners.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Assist in designing and organization of training workshops for Department of Plant Protection, Provincial agriculture Departments and other stakeholders’ professionals in Desert Locust Biology, Surveillance and Control Strategies/operations.
• Assist in improving linkages/collaboration of FAO Pakistan Information Management Unit (IMU) with DPP and provincial agriculture departments and other stakeholders involved in desert locust surveillance, mapping and generated information/data access.
• Facilitate in promoting awareness through seminars/field days involving farming communities (including women) with the support of provincial agriculture departments in order to educate them in adopting appropriate safety measures as well as avoiding women and children exposure from hazardous impact of agro-chemicals/pesticides in desert locust affected areas.
• Assist in locust impact and risk assessment and developing risk management actions for safety of human and animal health as well as natural resources like soil, water etc.
• Assist in locust monitoring and surveillances program on locust.
• Other task as instructed by the supervisor

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, crop protection, entomology or related field;
• Two years of relevant experience in crop protection in the field preferably including experience on promotion of integrated pest management (IPM) – with emphasis on transboundary plant pests
• Working level of English.
• National of Pakistan

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Strong command over spoken and written English;
• Computer skills in Office Applications Including Excel, Word, Outlook, Power Point;
• Capability for planning, organizing and administering, on-the-job independent staff
• training, sessions;
• Having Knowledge of United Nations and International Organizations’ administrative policies and procedures.
• Strong communication skills, and strong spirit of teamwork

Selection Criteria

Candidates will be assessed against the requirements listed above