Biodiversity Specialist

IMPORTANT NOTICE\: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

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 in order to increase production in a sustainable manner so as to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The position is located in the Pest and Pesticide Management Team (NSPCD), one of the six teams in the Division. The Team provides advice and guidance in areas of pest and pesticide management in the context of sustainable crop production intensification.

The incumbents will contribute to the implementation of a capacity building programme related to Multilateral Environmental Agreements and the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF). The programme focuses on building the capacity of regional and national institutions to better implement relevant MEAs, namely the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm Conventions on chemical management, and to monitor and support the implementation of the K-M GBF, in particular targets 7 (reduce pollution to levels that are not harmful to biodiversity) and 10 (enhance biodiversity and sustainability in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry).

Reporting Lines

The incumbents will report to the Project Coordinator in NSPCD.

Technical Focus

The sustainable management of biodiversity in agrifood systems, in the context of the K-M GBF and in synergy with other Multilateral Environmental Agreements, including biodiversity- and chemical-related conventions, treaties and frameworks with focus on supporting the relevant parties with policy processes, implementation of the agreements, and knowledge development and dissemination.

Tasks and responsibilities

The following tasks are foreseen\:

• Provide technical backstopping to governments and regional institutions to review and update National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and Regional Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (RBSAPs) and support the monitoring and reporting of their progress.
• Organize and facilitate post Conference of the Parties - Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) workshops to improve compliance and implementation of CBD COP 16 decisions.
• Organize and facilitate participation of agricultural sectors in Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA), Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and CBD COP meetings.
• Support strengthening of agricultural university curricula with biodiversity friendly measures and concepts for the sustainable management of biodiversity for food and agriculture.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in agriculture, biology and any related fields.
• 5 years of relevant experience in\: agrobiodiversity management; development and implementation of biodiversity strategies and action plans, preferably at national and regional levels.
• Working knowledge of English (proficient – level C) for Consultants and PSA.

FAO Core Competencies

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

• Work experience in more than one agriTechnical/Functional Skills cultural system.

• Extent and relevance of experience working with regional economic organizations in Africa, Caribbean, Latin America, Asia and the Pacific, in particular with regional strategy development.
• Extent and relevance of experience working with Multilateral Environmental Agreements.
• Extent and relevance of experience providing support to country and regional delegations in preparation of and at SBSTTA, SBI and CBD COP meetings.

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

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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