Programme Specialist - Seed Sector Development

Programme Specialist - Seed Sector Development - FAO (Rome, Italy)

Δευτέρα, Ιουνίου 13, 2011

Αναζήτηση Θέματος

Programme Specialist (Seed Sector Development)

FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Rome, Italy

Duties and Responsibilities:

Organizational Setting: The post is located in the Plant Genetic Resources Team, AGPMG, in the Plant Production and protection Division (AGP)
Main Purpose/Contacts: The Programme Specialist (Seed Sector Development) will provide technical expertise and contribute to the technical design and delivery of a programme in support of sustainable crop production intensification (SCPI). The incumbent will collaborate with staff at various levels across the Organization including FAO’s Decentralised Offices, FAO Representations, in national governments and with national, regional and international organizations.
Supervision Received/Exercised: The Programme Specialist works under the general direction of the Director, AGP and the direct supervision of the leader of the AGPMG Team and, as necessary, provides technical guidance and supervision to team members.

Main Duties and Responsibilities: As a member of the AGPMG Team, the incumbent will organize, plan and deliver advice and programme μmanagement support to strengthen national and regional seed systems in both the public and private sectors within the framework of SCPI, the Global Plan of Action on Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA-PGRFA) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In support of these objectives, the incumbent will:

Identify and analyse critical challenges and threats facing national and regional seed systems in the context of SCPI, climate change and food security;
Develop targeted strategies to address these challenges at national and regional levels including through seed policy formulation, harmonization of seed rules and regulations, public and private partnerships, the development of local seed enterprises and linking the formal and informal seed sectors;
Formulate and implement projects to deliver a programme of work in support of the seed sector in member countries with emphasis on the link between plant breeding and variety development, efficient variety release systems, seed production and creating an awareness of new varieties among smallholder farmers;
Build and contribute to monitoring and reporting systems that provide critical information to stakeholders at national, regional and international levels on key factors impacting seed systems;
Create and engage in networks of collaboration amongst technical specialists in governments and partner organizations including the public and private sectors to promote issue awareness, programme coordination, collaboration and information exchange related to seed sector development;
Advise the Division on key issues of overall programme performance and emerging trends that affect programme direction;
Represent the Organization and Division in international meetings on technical issues/challenges related to seed sector development;
Share knowledge to expand the understanding of colleagues within the team and promote greater effectiveness in programme design and delivery;
Prepare case studies, reports, guidelines, publications and presentations in support of programme delivery.

Minimum Requirements:

Candidates should meet the following:

Advanced University Degree in Agronomy, Plant Science, Seed Technology or Seed Production;
Seven years of experience related to plant production and seed sector development preferably in developing countries;
Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian.

Selection Criteria:

Candidates will be assessed against the following:

Extent of knowledge and relevant experience related to plant production and seed sector development including the development of seed enterprises;
Extent of experience in developing countries;
Extent and relevance of experience in leading the formulation, development and implementation of technical projects;
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team and to build team cohesion in a multicultural environment;
Extent of experience in and ability to negotiate and cooperate with senior officials in national governments, intergovernmental organizations and other institutions and in building collaborative networks and joint programmes;
Planning and organizational ability, and experience in preparing and managing intergovernmental meetings and workshops including training workshops;
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Deadline for applications: 23 June 2011

Infos: eurosciencejobs.com/FAO

Πηγή: eurosciencejobs.com