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 to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving natural resources and the environment. The normative and operational work of the Seed System Cluster (NSPSS) contributes to NSP's overarching goal of resilient and sustainable plant production and protection systems by enhancing the timely access of farmers to sufficient quantities of affordable quality seeds and planting materials of the preferred, well-adapted, productive and nutritious crop varieties that are resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses. To achieve this aim, the team works with countries and other partners to safeguard plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, to use them in breeding progressively superior crop varieties and to deliver the quality seeds and planting materials to farmers. The position is located in the Seeds System Cluster (NSPSS), one of the five clusters in the NSP Division, at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. Reporting Lines The Agricultural Officer (Plant Genetic Resources Use) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer (Seed Systems)/Cluster Leader, NSPSS. Technical Focus The sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), in particular to breed progressively superior crop varieties, including through the judicious application of efficiency-enhancing modern biotechnologies and farmer participatory approaches, while fostering synergistic linkages with the conservation of PGRFA and context-specific seed systems. Key Results Technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework. Key Functions - Plans and leads components of multidisciplinary teams, leads and/or participates in Organization-wide, cross-divisional 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, analysis, assessment, monitoring and/or 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 cross-sector approaches, new tools, technologies, technical reports/publications and/or policy proposals as well as the provision of technical/policy/specialist/advice and expertise.
- Responds to Member Nations' requests for technical and/or policy assistance; provides technical advice, assistance and solutions to Decentralized Offices; 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, supports 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 - Serves as part of the secretariat to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources (ITWG-PGR), including organizing sessions, preparing documentation, and facilitating intergovernmental negotiations.
- Advises Member Nations on the implementation of Commission decisions and recommendations.
- Represents FAO within the Commission secretariat at relevant international forums and fosters synergy with the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) and other relevant bodies.
- Identifies and secures extra-budgetary resources to support the Commission's programme of work and related technical assistance activities.
- Leads interventions that enhance Members capacities to breed improved crop varieties efficiently and enable their adoption by farmers.
- Supports the work of the CGRFA, its ITWG-PGR and the ITPGRFA.
- Contributes to relevant Organization-wide multidisciplinary work, in particular on agricultural biotechnologies, climate change, nutrition and biodiversity.
- Contributes to the monitoring of the implementation of rolling global plans of action for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA and the preparation of associated periodic reports.
- Leads, contributes to, and/or provides technical support to the implementation of relevant Programme Priority Areas (PPAs) of the FAO Strategic Framework.
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Minimum Requirements - Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in plant breeding, plant genetics, plant molecular biology or a related field.
- Seven years of relevant experience in crop improvement, in particular in the application of modern biotechnologies and in work settings related to developing countries.
- Working knowledge (proficient - level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate - 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.
- Technical expertise: strong knowledge and understanding of crop improvement principles, including the use of biotechnologies, farmer-participatory approaches, and the interfaces between plant breeding and germplasm conservation and seed systems, is essential. Familiarity with emerging trends and advancements in molecular breeding techniques, especially molecular marker-aided selection, genetic engineering and genome editing, is highly desirable.
- Research and innovation: experience in research and development related to plant breeding is valuable. This can involve conducting studies, analysing data, and identifying innovative solutions for enhancing the efficiency of crop varietal development and deployment.
- Development focus: experience in the strengthening of institutional and human capacities, including through policy and technical support, for the breeding and adoption of progressively superior crop varieties, in particular in developing country contexts, is essential.
- Communication skills: strong written and verbal communication skills are necessary to effectively communicate technical concepts to a variety of audiences, including policymakers, farmers, and other stakeholders. The ability to prepare reports, presentations, and technical documents is important.
- Collaboration and networking: experience in collaborating with diverse partners, such as governments, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), research institutions, and private sector entities, is valuable. The ability to build networks and partnerships to leverage resources and promote innovation is highly beneficial.
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