The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.
The post is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, in the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD), one of the six teams in the Division. NSPMD provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management and control of transboundary plant pests and diseases and locusts. The team is comprised of technical specialists managing transboundary plant pests and diseases, in close collaboration with countries, by monitoring, early warning, forecasting, rapid response, communication and capacity development and by promoting sustainable and environmentally sound management and control techniques.
The Agricultural Officer (Locust Management) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader, NSPMD.
Support countries in the development and implementation of strategies and programmes for the sustainable management of locusts.
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Key Functions:
Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Members such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
Specific Functions:
Provides technical support and guidance to the ongoing locust management programmes and commissions in different regions.
Supports the development and the implementation of locust preventive control plans, contingency plans and locust emergency responses.
Provides support in the assessment of the national locust management capacities and preparedness and formulates recommendations for improvement.
Contributes to the development and promotion of innovative technologies for locust sustainable management and locust monitoring, forecasting and prediction systems.
Provides technical support to Members and stakeholders to strengthen their capacities in the surveillance and monitoring of locusts, and in developing appropriate management strategies.
Liaises/cooperates with research and development institutions, private sector organizations, Desert locust commissions, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and universities, linking the needs of countries for the environmentally sound. management and control of locusts, with on-going research activities and outputs.
Supports the development and review of technical specifications for locust-related equipment and material.
Performs other related duties as required.
Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:
Minimum Requirements:
Advanced university degree in agriculture/agronomy, entomology, with focus on locust management.
Five years of relevant experience in locust monitoring and management.
Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Technical/Functional Skills:
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in locust bio-ecology, management and control.
Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in locust forecasting and prediction.
Extent and relevance of experience in developing and delivering programmes of work or projects on the environmentally sound management and control of transboundary insect pests.
Demonstrated experience in analysing information as the basis for technical and policy advice for governments.
Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams.
