The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) keeps under review matters related to the Organization's policy, programme and activities regarding biodiversity of relevance to food and agriculture. The Secretariat of the Commission prepares and supports sessions of the Commission and follows up on its decisions. It also monitors and reports to the Commission on developments in relevant international bodies and processes (including the Convention on Biological Diversity - CBD, the World Trade Organization - WTO and the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research - CGIAR). The Commission's rolling Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW) allows it to implement its full mandate covering biodiversity for food and agriculture to program its cooperation with other relevant international instruments and Multilateral Environmental Agreements and to coordinate with relevant international processes.

The position is located in the Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment (OCB) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. OCB promotes the integration of innovative approaches in the activities of the Organization, for the sustainable use, management and conservation of natural resources for food and agriculture, and provides a coordination role on climate change, biodiversity and the environment.

Reporting Lines:

• The Natural Resources Officer (Biodiversity) reports to the Secretary of the Commission and the Senior Liaison Officer.

Technical Focus:

• Biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture management across and within agricultural sectors (crop and livestock agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and forestry).

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 multi-disciplinary 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 member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials, 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 support to the implementation of the MYPOW and to the interdivisional MYPOW Task Force;
• Designs, plans and implements activities in support of the Commission's MYPOW, including the development of policies, guidelines, best practices and training materials;
• Monitors policy, legal and technical developments of other international fora/ instruments in the spheres of biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture, for their relevance in implementing the MYPOW;
• Prepares and organizes technical and policy meetings on biodiversity / genetic resources for food and agriculture;
• Prepares and supports the preparation of technical and policy documents related to biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture and cross-cutting issues, and facilitates coordination among FAO units on biodiversity/genetic resources for food and agriculture;
• Prepares briefs for communicating the Commission's activities in the field of biodiversity to other relevant instruments, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, and relevant stakeholders;
• Assists in facilitating cooperation and dialogue in the fields related to the Commission's mandate and liaises with other UN specialized agencies, MEA secretariat focal points; non-governmental organizations, international organizations, national research institutes and other relevant entities with a view to strengthen cooperation and increase synergies in areas of mutual interest;
• Participates in resource mobilization and management for the Commission's portfolio;
• Performs other duties as requested.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, forestry, fisheries, or natural resources management or related biological sciences.
• Five years of relevant experience in natural resources management, including in biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture 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).