Agricultural Officer (Horticultural Production Systems) at the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
Posting Date: 20/Feb/2023
Closure Date: 13/Mar/2023, 11:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: NSP
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional
Grade Level: P-3
Primary Location: Italy-Rome
Duration: Fixed-term: 2 years with possibility of extension
Post Number: 0079448 - https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2203461&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FBerlin
CCOG Code: 1H01• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
This is a reopening of the Vacancy Announcement. Candidates who have already applied do not need to re-apply again.
Organizational Setting
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 in order 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 Rural and Urban Crop and Mechanization Systems team (NSPLD), one of six teams in the division. NSPLD provides technical advice, support and guidance to Member countries and projects on how to sustainably increase crop production as a key contributor to food and nutritional security, improved livelihoods while protecting the environment in rural, urban and peri-urban contexts.
Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Horticultural Production Systems) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader of the Rural and Urban Crop and Mechanization Systems and works in close collaboration with other Agricultural Officers.
Technical Focus
Sustainable intensification and diversification of horticulture cultivation systems (including high value crops grown in greenhouses, net-houses, hydroponics and other soilless systems) in rural, urban and peri-urban areas.
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 on multi-disciplinary teams, and/or leads working groups/teams collaborates with other departments 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 technical support and capacity building on adapted sustainable horticulture systems to programs and projects in urban, periurban and rural areas for all country members through sub-regional and regional offices (Latin America, Africa, Middle East, Asia and East-Europe).
• Supports FAO emergency programs in countries in crisis due to armed conflicts or climate disasters on food security, agriculture production, climate resilience addressing nutrition and incomes for small-scale farmers.
• Supports FAO projects on adapted open field and protected cultivation systems for fruits, vegetable and seedling production on designing and adapting technical specifications of greenhouses, net houses, soilless culture including hydroponics and substrate-based systems in collaboration with FAO country offices, regional partners and national consultants.
• Maintains, adapts and shares database of technical specifications of items related to horticulture with projects and programs at global level such as climate control, covering materials, substrates and fertigation systems for a tender, procure and delivery.
• Supports local and national institutions and other stakeholders to design implementation of integrated cropping systems in urban and peri-urban areas, including short supply and value chains through desktop support and backstopping field missions.
• Supports local and national institutions to integrate crop production in urban and territorial policies and plans.
• Contributes to corporate initiatives such as the Green Cities Initiative and One Country One Priority Product and to normative work in the area of horticultural production.
• Performs other duties as required
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in Crop Science, Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, Sustainable Cropping Systems
• Five years of relevant experience in one or more of the following areas: Horticulture Crops, Protected Cultivation Systems.
• Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - level B) of another official FAO 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.
• Extent and relevance of experience and knowledge of crop management including climate, pest - diseases, nutrition, water and cultural practices management.
• Ability to analyse crop production issues from an economic, social and environmental point of view.
• Extent and relevance of experience in developing training tools and information materials.
• Extent and relevance of experience in promoting sustainable and resilient urban and city region food systems.
_________________________________________________________________
FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
_________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.
HOW TO APPLY
• https://jobs.fao.org/careersection/fao_external/jobdetail.ftl?job=2203461&tz=GMT%2B01%3A00&tzname=Europe%2FBerlin
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at https://www.whed.net/
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO's behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help, or have queries, please contact: Careers@fao.org
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT