Organizational Setting

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to its strategic objectives and operations.

The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia (SEC). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region, and, in collaboration with Divisions, Offices and Centres at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization’s strategies through programmes and projects across the region.

The Regional Office supports the formulation and implementation of the Country Programmes and Projects, including Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs), and their contribution to the FAO Strategic Framework and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) at the country level, advising Decentralized Offices on corporate priorities such as the Strategic Framework and on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget.

The Regional Office leads, formulates, implements, monitors and reports on the Organization’s programmes and budget in the region and draws management attention to problems, deficiencies and risks.
The Regional Office leads the preparation of the Regional Conferences and the Statutory Bodies in the region.
The Regional Office develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs), and participates in the United Nations Regional Architecture, such as UN Regional Forums on Sustainable Development and UN Regional Collaborative Platforms and related mechanisms.

The Regional Office delivers an improved, integrated and collaborative business model to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, innovation, agility and responsiveness in logistical, operational, financial and other support services at all levels to accelerate the achievement of the Organization’s programme in the region and ensure compliance with the Internal Control Framework.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) in Budapest, Hungary.

Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection), P-4.

Technical Focus
Technical expertise on agrifood system transformation from a plant production and protection management perspective by developing integrated crop, soil and pest management concepts, strategies, practices and guidelines, with a focus on sustainable and green production and yield enhancement to improve the agricultural sector’s resilience.

Key Results
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 units 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 Nations 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 Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Provides technical support to Members on sustainable crop production and protection in support of the implementation of FAO’s programme in building climate resilient agrifood systems within existing frameworks.
• Provides advice and guidance on sustainable crop production and protection, seed systems, including seed in emergency, climate smart agriculture, protected cultivation, green technologies and innovation.
• Responds to country requests for technical and policy assistance, provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
• Supports the identification and formulation of programmes and projects in the field of sustainable crop production and protection management and climate resilient agriculture.
• Provides technical support to Members in accessing, managing and monitoring their portfolio related to the main agriculture resilient funds.
• Engages in policy dialogues to advocate for comprehensive agricultural sustainability, including crop production and plant health strategies.
• Conceptualizes and prepares training and information materials and implements capacity development programmes related to crop production and protection in the framework of FAO Program Priority Areas.
• Enhances plant production and productivity through the adoption of improved farming techniques, technologies, and practices and promotes climate-smart agriculture.
• Assists Members to strengthen their institutional and human capacities in the sustainable management of plant pests and diseases.
• Provides technical support and training on the implementation of relevant international agreements and conventions linked to pest and pesticide management, including the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC).
• Provides technical support and guidance to farmers, extension workers and promotes Farmer Field Schools approach.
  Strengthens REU crop production, protection information, database and related tools to provide related climate services to Members and FAO Country Offices.
• Develops and maintains strategic partnerships with relevant institutions, including UN agencies, academia and private sector.
• Promotes international and regional cooperation, advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, or related field.
• Five years of relevant experience in crop production and protection, seed system in the field preferably including experience on main crops of the region.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
• Ability to cooperate with officials in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in collaborative networks and joint programmes, academia and private sector.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the development and management of technical projects in relation to crop production and protection, seed system management, including seeds in emergency and climate smart agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience the analysis and formulation of projects and strategies for sustainability improvement in agriculture sector.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge in sustainable crop production, ecosystem management, plant protection with particular emphasis on drafting and implementing resilient agriculture projects.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements