POSITION TITLE: Programme Specialist GRADE LEVEL: P-3
(Crop Production, Climate Change and Soil
Degradation)
DUTY STATION: Rome, Italy
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Plant Production and Protection Division, AGP DURATION ∗: Fixed term: 3 years
Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department, AG
POST CODE/NO: C/0417149
CCOG CODE: 1H02
Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Organizational Setting: The post is located in the Crop Production Intensification Team, AGPME, in the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP).
Main Purpose/contacts: The Programme Specialist, AGPME will provide technical expertise and contribute to the technical design and delivery of a programme in support of sustainable crop production intensification (SCPI). The incumbent will have contacts with staff at various levels across the Organization including FAO’s decentralised offices, FAO Representations, in national governments and with national, regional and international organizations.
Supervision Received/Exercised: The Programme Specialist works under the general direction of the Director of AGP and the direct supervision of the leader of the AGPME Team and provides technical guidance and when necessary supervision to more junior Professional Staff, consultants and General Service staff assigned to the team.
Main Duties and Responsibilities: As a member of the AGPME Team in the Plant Production and Protection Division (AGP), the incumbent will organize, plan and deliver specialist advice and technical support to enhance sustainable crop production intensification (SCPI) in member countries with emphasis on climate change adaptation, mitigation, biodiversity and land degradation assessment. In support of these objectives, the incumbent will:
• Analyze critical challenges and threats to sustainable crop production intensification (SCPI) and food security faced at national and regional levels;
• Participate in the formulation of targeted strategies to respond to these challenges and threats that allow FAO member countries to implement agricultural production components of their National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs)
• Formulate and implement projects to deliver a programme of work in support of SCPI related to crop management (including crop livestock systems), soil health and soil degradation and climate change adaptation and mitigation;
• Run monitoring and reporting systems that provide critical information on key factors impacting SCPI to key stakeholders at national, regional and international levels including grasslands and crop/livestock systems related to climate change and soil conservation, sustainability of practices, drought mitigation, desertification control and land degradation assessment;
• Maintain and engage in networks of collaboration amongst technical specialists to gather information and promote awareness of technical issues;
• Advise the team on key issues related to project performance and substantive matters that may affect programme delivery and direction;
• Maintain awareness on issues and approaches relevant to SCPI particularly with respect to activities under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biological Diversity and share knowledge with colleagues.
• Prepare case studies, guidelines, reports, publications and presentations in support of programme delivery.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:
• Advanced University Degree in Agronomy, Soil Science or Environmental Science
• Five years of relevant experience in sustainable crop production intensification with emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity and land degradation assessment preferably at the international level
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and a limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese or Russian
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:
• Extent of knowledge and relevant experience in sustainable crop production intensification with emphasis on climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity and land degradation assessment
• Demonstrated ability to identify, compile and analyse relevant technical information from a range of sources as the basis for summary reports and recommendations
• Extent and relevance of experience in the formulation, development and implementation of technical projects
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
• Extent of experience in and ability to cooperate with officials in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in collaborative networks and joint programmes
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and in a multicultural environment
• Planning, organizational ability and experience in preparing intergovernmental meetings and workshops including training workshops
