National Pesticides Management Specialist

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FAO seeks gender, geographical and linguistic diversity in its staff and international consultants in order to best serve FAO Members in all regions.

• 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 person 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.

Organizational Setting

The Government of the Republic of Serbia, with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is implementing the project GCP/SRB/010/EC “EU for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development – pesticides (Enhanced national capacities for sound management of pesticides in the Republic of Serbia).” The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in aligning national policies and legislation on pesticide management with the EU acquis and the European Green Deal. Activities focus on strengthening institutional capacities, developing legal and technical frameworks for the lifecycle management of pesticides, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The project aims to enhance food safety, environmental protection, and rural development in Serbia through improved regulatory systems, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility of the de facto Head of Office, and the administrative supervision of the Budget Holder/Field Programme Officer and the Project Manager, the National Consultant on pesticides management will work under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at FAO REU, and report directly to the National Programme Coordinator in Serbia.

Technical Focus

The National Pesticides Management Specialist will support the FAO Representation in Serbia in the implementation and coordination of activities under the FAO project GCP/SRB/010/EC, focusing on a comprehensive review and gap analysis of national pesticides registration system and institutional arrangements related to pesticide life-cycle management to support activities relate to assessments and improvement of various areas of pesticides management system.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Review of the existing national practices and technical systems related to pesticide use, registration, and monitoring, with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), professional user training, and pesticide application equipment.
• Provide technical inputs and develop assessment of the pesticide registration and monitoring system (Act. 1.5), including data on use patterns, enforcement practices, and integration with advisory services.
• Contribute to the design of the electronic pesticide registration and monitoring database (Act. 1.6), ensuring it meets technical requirements for user-friendliness, data accuracy, and EU alignment.
• Assist in the preparation of updated curricula, training materials, and manuals for professional pesticide users, inspectors, evaluators, and advisory staff (Acts. 2.1. 2.2 & 2.5).
• Support the assessment of the Pesticide Spraying Calibration Centre and prepare roadmap for its improvement.
• Provide any other support needed for the effective implementation of the project.
• Prepare a final report summarizing technical inputs, lessons learned, and recommendations for strengthening pesticide management in Serbia.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agronomy, chemistry, plant protection, life sciences or any related subject
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in pesticide management focus on pesticide registration system,
• Understanding of international standards and requirements in relation of pesticides lifecycle management and relevant EU regulations
• Working knowledge of Serbian and English,
• National of Serbia

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact\: Careers@fao.org
• Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
• Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications.
• For other issues, visit the FAO employment website\: http\://www.fao.org/employment/home/en/
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• 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
• 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 create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance\: https\://fao.service-now.com/csp

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