FAO Vacancy: Senior Agricultural Officer

Deadline For Application: 31 December 2018

DUTY STATION: Rome, Italy

Organizational Setting
The FAO Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department (AG) strives to strengthen the role of agriculture in reducing hunger and poverty while safeguarding the natural resource base and the environment. In a holistic manner, the AG Department works with partners to address the range of issues that affect food from farm to table including improved production; management and conservation of crops and livestock; plant and animal pest and disease prevention and response; food safety and quality; and agricultural research and extension.

The Research and Extension Unit (AGDR) provides advisory and technical services to FAO members to support the development of Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). Agricultural research systems and an integrated approach to agricultural research and extension are considered key factors for the achievement of a sustainable increase and improvement of the provision of services and goods by agricultural producers. The priorities of FAO’s work in agricultural research include assessing current research policies, institutions and organizations and supporting their strengthening.

The Research and Extension Unit (AGDR) provides advisory and technical services to FAO members to support the development of Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). Agricultural research systems and an integrated approach to agricultural research and extension are considered key factors for the achievement of a sustainable increase and improvement of the provision of services and goods by agricultural producers. The priorities of FAO’s work in agricultural research include assessing current research policies, institutions and organizations and supporting their strengthening. 

The post is located in the Research and Extension Unit (AGDR) of the Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department (AG) atFAO Headquarters.

Reporting Lines
The Senior Agricultural Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General, AG. Technical Focus Agricultural research and innovation systems.Key ResultsLeadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Departmental / DivisionProgrammes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with FAO Strategic Objectives and in alignment with the organization’s Policy on Gender Equality.

Reporting Lines 
The Senior Agricultural Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General, AG.

Technical Focus
Agricultural research and innovation systems.

Key Results
Leadership and technical policy expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Departmental / Division Programmes of work, projects, products, services in accordance with FAO Strategic Objectives and in alignment with the organization’s Policy on Gender Equality.

Key Functions
 Plans, manages, or leads highly specialized or multi-disciplinary teams, leads, coordinates, and/or participates on Organization-wide, cross-Departmental committees, project teams, and working groups, and/or provides technical leadership/secretariat services on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies;
 Ensures the integration of gender equality and women’s empowerment in FAO’s work, including the disaggregation of databy sex and age where appropriate, in accordance with FAO Policy on Gender Equality.
 Analyzes global and country specific requirements and relevant technical issues to provide critical input into the FAO Strategic Objectives, Programme of Work, work plans and the supporting budgets and/or resourcing strategies;
 Implements and monitors programmes of work involving the development of the approach, evidence-based strategies, and related tools, methodologies and the supporting system/database, monitoring and reporting frameworks ;
 Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services from a gender perspective;
 Provides technical and policy advice to Member countries and technical support to decentralized offices in the development and implementation of their programmes;
 Leads and/or collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality / effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within member countries such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning, on-line tools;
 Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased policy dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders;
 Leads and/or participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Corporate strategy

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
 Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences or related field
 Ten years of relevant experience in planning, managing, organizing and evaluating agricultural research and innovation systems and programmes with special emphasis on developing countries.
 Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian

Competencies
 Results Focus
 Leading, Engaging and Empowering
 Communication
 Partnering and Advocating
 Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
 Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills
 Extent and relevance of experience in planning and implementation of projects and programmes related to agricultural research and innovation.
 Extent and relevance of experience in facilitating collaboration and managing partnerships, with international agricultural research and innovation organizations and networks.
 Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential.
 Demonstrated results-based management capabilities with an ability to manage programmes, budgets and human resources efficiently under shifting priorities.
 Demonstrated ability to mobilize resources and to deliver against deadlines.
 Extent and relevance of experience in organizing international meetings, seminars and training courses.
 Familiarity with gender issues as needed

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• All candidates should possess computer/word processing skills
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your iRecruitment online profile (see “How to Apply”). We strongly recommend that you ensure that the information is accurate and complete including employment record, academic qualifications and language skills
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• Candidates endorsed in the selection process for this vacancy announcement will be considered for the FAO Professional Employment Roster for a period of two years. The Roster is used to fill other similar positions at the same or lower grade, and in the same or another duty station
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments

REMUNERATION: A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm

HOW TO APPLY: To apply, visit the iRecruitment website at http://www.fao.org/employment/irecruitment-access/en/ and complete the on-line application.

Only applications received through iRecruitment will be considered. Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile. Vacancies will be removed from iRecruitment at 23:59 Central European Time (CET) on the deadline for applications date. We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.