Young Professional Officer (Plant Production and Protection)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal deviceThe length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ • 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. FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations. 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, forbetter production,better nutrition,a better environment,anda better life, leaving no one behind. Organizational SettingThe Regional Office for Africa (RAF) 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 Africa (SFC), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), and Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices and Divisions 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 in the region.The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.Reporting LinesThe Young Professional Officer (Plant Productionand Protection)reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer(PlantProductionand Protection).Technical FocusProgrammes and activities at regional, subregional, national and local levels on sustainable plant production and protection, encompassing the seed systems, agronomics and plant health thematic areas and their enabling innovations, including biotechnologies, sustainable agricultural mechanization, drones, sensors and digitalization.Key ResultsResearch, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.Key FunctionsAnalyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.Provides technical support to various projects.Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.Specific FunctionsProvides technical support and sundry backstopping interventions for projects, programmes and initiatives across FAO's RAF region to strengthen institutional and human capacities for the diverse cropping systems with interventions in one or more of the following areas: quality seeds, planting materials and seedlings; soil health; soil moisture management, including efficient irrigation systems; plant health, through integrated pest and disease management; innovations in agronomics, including protected cultivation systems, soilless systems; sustainable agricultural mechanization; digital agriculture; and pollinators.Supports the assessments of cropping systems and provide recommendations on validated innovative practices, and technologies along value chains to improve farm productivity; nutritional quality and safety of produce; and smallholders' incomes and livelihoods.Supports the development and review of technical documents related to different areas of crop production and protection and deliver relevant training programmes, especially for agronomists and extension staff of Member Countries.Assists in project implementation from conceptualization, through implementation and reporting to monitoring and evaluation in close collaboration with members of project teams, as required.Develops and reviews technical specifications for inputs and equipment for crops production systems, including in support of the implementation of projects.Collaborates with FAO technical teams, divisions, and decentralized offices and other partners on topics related to sustainable crop production systems.Provides support for convening meetings with relevant stakeholders and responsible representatives from government, civil society, regional and international bodies, private sector, and academia.Performs any other duties as required. | ______________________________________________________________________________________________________CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING | Minimum RequirementsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture, agronomy, soil science, plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, entomology or other related disciplinesOne year of relevant experience in development projects for sustainable crop production systems, sustainable agriculture, as well as plant genetic resources management, soil management, water/irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management, plant nutrition, protected cultivation, soilless systems, digital agriculture, sustainable agricultural mechanization.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).CompetenciesResults FocusTeamworkCommunicationBuilding Effective RelationshipsKnowledge Sharing and Continuous ImprovementTechnical/Functional SkillsWork experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable.Extent and relevance ofknowledge and experience in related fields such as crop improvement, agro-biodiversity, conservation of plant genetic resourcesas well asdigital agriculture.Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analysing and summarizing technical information and data.Extent and relevance of experience in project implementation is an asset.Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with UNagencies, NGOs as well as donors and government institutions and agencies.Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of French is considered an asset.NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least De