Job Description

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) contributes to FAO's work by supporting countries to transition to sustainable crop production systems, which produce more with less, through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems' environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources.

Through the FAO-led One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) global initiative, the value chains of Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) that are unique, environmentally sustainable, and economically viable are strengthened in the participating Member Countries.

The post, with a focus on Special Agricultural Products (SAPs) under the auspices of the OCOP initiative, is located in the Seeds and Plant Genetic Resources Team (NSPGD), one of the six teams that make up NSP. The NSPGD team contributes to the division's overarching goal through a programme of work that results in enhanced farmers' timely access to enough affordable quality seeds and planting materials of the preferred, well-adapted, productive and nutritious crop varieties that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. Working with countries and other partners to safeguard Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), to use them in breeding progressively superior crop varieties and to deliver their quality seeds and planting materials to farmers are the means to achieve this aim.

Reporting Lines

The Agricultural Officer (Seed Specialist) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader, NSPGD.

Technical Focus

Seed value chains from the conservation of PGRFA, through the development and dissemination of progressively superior crop varieties, to diverse farmer-led and formal seed systems - particularly for the enhanced productivity and competitiveness of SAPs under the auspices of the OCOP initiative.

Key Results

Comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical and/or policy analysis services and the development of specialized tools, methodologies, systems and/or databases to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of the programme of work and related products, projects, publications and services.

Key Functions

• Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams; leads and/or participates in internal committees, project teams and working groups and/or provides specialized expertise on technical networks and/or international technical policy and standard setting bodies.

• Develops technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery and monitoring of programmes of work, projects, products and/or services.

• Designs and conducts research, data collection, validation, analysis and/or reporting activities to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovative approaches and strategies, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/ specialist/advice and expertise.

• 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.

• Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge sharing activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.

• Promotes international cooperation/advocates best practices, increased policy dialogue and provides technical expertise at international/intergovernmental meetings.

• Participates in resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Specific Functions

• Leads and coordinates the design, implementation, and monitoring of projects, programmes and initiatives on

resilient seed value chains, i.e. from production, through processing, and storage, to the marketing of quality

assured propagules, to enhance the sustainability of SAPs under the auspices of the OCOP initiative.

• Provides technical guidance and backstopping to Members in the identification, development, and sustainable

promotion of SAPs and their integral seed value chains.

• Facilitates cross-country and cross-regional exchange of knowledge, innovations, and best practices on the use of

functional seed value chains to enhance the resilience of SAPs.

• Supports the integration of sustainability and digital innovations relating to crop improvement in the

implementation of FAO's global programmes, particularly the OCOP initiative.

• Contributes to advocacy, communication, and outreach to enhance the visibility, coherence, and impact of FAO's

work on sustainable seed value chains at global, regional, and country levels.

• Engages with partners and stakeholders (especially governments, private sector, development partners, producer

organizations and civil society) to mobilize resources and foster investments in effective seed value chains as

integral components of sustainable crop production systems.

• Identifies, adapts, and promotes the use of validated international methods and innovations in seed value chains

to enable context-appropriate quality assurance for diverse seed systems.

• Contributes to FAO's broader work on genetic resources for food and agriculture, including contribution to the

secretariat functions for the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and its

Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

• Monitors and analyzes scientific, technical, and policy developments relevant to sustainable seed systems as an

integral component of the management of PGRFA, thereby contributing to the continuous improvement of FAO's

products and services for the relevant domains.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in crop science, plant science, agriculture, agronomy, seed science and technology or related biological and/or agricultural sciences with emphasis on seed systems.

• Seven years of relevant experience in the field of seed production, quality assurance, seed value chain, and/or seed legal framework.

• 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.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in seed value chains in the context of sustainable crop

• production.

• Extent and relevance of experience in developing and delivering programmes of work or projects related to

• farmer-led and formal seed systems as integral components of sustainable cropping systems.