Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The REU is tasked with leading FAO's response to regional priorities concerning security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security, agriculture, and rural development. It was established to oversee the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Asia, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to programs and identifying priority areas for action. The REU collaborates with various divisions and centers at FAO headquarters to develop and promote strategic responses to regional priorities. It also plays a crucial role in formulating and implementing Country Programmes and Projects, advising decentralized offices on corporate priorities, and ensuring compliance with the Internal Control Framework. The REU is dedicated to enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in logistical, operational, and financial support services across the region, thereby accelerating the achievement of the Organization's programs. The office maintains relations with regional institutions and participates in UN Regional Architecture initiatives.

Job Overview:
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection) position is located within the Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) in Budapest, Hungary. This role is pivotal in providing technical and policy advice on agrifood system transformation, particularly focusing on plant production and protection management. The officer is expected to enhance environmental and natural resource sustainability in agriculture, thereby strengthening the resilience of the agricultural sector. The position involves comprehensive technical, statistical, analytical, and policy analysis services, along with the development of specialized tools and methodologies to support the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the program of work. The officer will lead components of multidisciplinary teams, participate in internal committees, and provide specialized expertise on technical networks and international policy bodies. The role also includes responding to country requests for technical assistance and ensuring the quality of capacity development activities within member states.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Agricultural Officer (Plant Protection) will be responsible for a variety of key functions, including planning and leading components of multidisciplinary teams, developing technical and analytical frameworks, and conducting research and data collection to support the development of technical standards and policy proposals. The officer will respond to requests for technical assistance, provide backstopping to field projects, and promote international cooperation and best practices. Specific functions include providing technical support on green agriculture, science and innovation, and environmental sustainability, as well as developing solutions for pest and disease management. The officer will initiate and manage projects related to crop production and plant health, enhance plant productivity through improved techniques, and develop training materials for capacity-building programs. Additionally, the officer will strengthen databases and tools for crop production and protection, build partnerships with UN agencies and academia, and lead the formulation and monitoring of the Regional Priority Program on Natural Resources workplan.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture, specifically in crop protection, plant sciences, or a related field. A minimum of seven years of relevant experience in sustainable agriculture, environmental management, or crop protection is required, preferably with experience in the main crops of the region. Candidates should have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C and intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B. Competencies such as results focus, teamwork, communication, and building effective relationships are essential, along with knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree, specifically a Master's degree or equivalent, in agriculture with a focus on crop protection, plant sciences, or a related field. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of sustainable agriculture and environmental management, which are central to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience in sustainable agriculture, environmental and natural resources management, and crop protection. Experience should preferably include fieldwork with main crops of the region, as well as involvement in project formulation and implementation. Candidates should also have experience providing policy advice at various levels, including local, national, and regional contexts.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English at proficiency level C, which indicates a high level of fluency and comprehension. Additionally, an intermediate knowledge of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish) at level B is required. This bilingual capability is essential for effective communication and collaboration in an international setting.

Additional Notes:
The job posting does not specify a deadline for applications. The position is likely to be full-time, and the level of seniority is indicated as advanced due to the extensive experience and qualifications required. The role may involve international recruitment, given the nature of the FAO and its operations across various countries. Compensation and benefits details are not provided in the job description.