Organizational Setting
The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) contributes to FAO's work by supporting countries to transition to sustainable crop production systems, which produce more with less, through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems' environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources.
The NSPMD team, one of the six teams in the Division, contributes to the division's overarching goal with a programme of work through which it provides advice, technical support, and guidance to countries on the sustainable management of locusts and transboundary plant pests and diseases. The Team operates FAO's Desert Locust Information Service that uses the latest geo-spatial technologies in a geographic information system (GIS) to monitor the weather, environmental conditions, and locust infestations daily and analyses a combination of field data from national survey and control teams, remote sensing imagery, and models to provide forecasts and early warning for effective planning and implementation of required measures.
The post is located in the Locusts and Transboundary Plant Pests and Diseases Team (NSPMD), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
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Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Locust Monitoring and Forecasting) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer/Team Leader, NSPMD.
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Technical Focus
Management of FAO's global Desert Locust early warning and forecasting system, enabled by GIS, to collect and analyze sundry meteorological and locust infestation data to provide forecasts and relevant advice to vulnerable countries.
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Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
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Key Functions
Researches and analyses technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and statistics and/or related policy issues to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services.
Produces a variety of technical information, data, statistics and reports as well as input for technical documents and web pages.
Provides technical support/analysis to various assessments, studies and initiatives and provides technical backstopping to field projects.
Collaborates in the development of improved/updated tools, systems, processes and databases.
Participates in multidisciplinary teams and/or leads working groups/teams; collaborates with other divisions and agencies on work groups and committees and promotes best practices.
Collaborates in, provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development activities within Member Nations such as policy support, organizational development and individual learning events, including preparation of related information, learning materials and on-line tools.
Promotes knowledge sharing and best practices at international meetings and conferences and influences partners in stakeholder consultations.
Supports resource mobilization activities in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.
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Specific Functions
Manages the Desert Locust Information Service, including by assessments and forecasts of Desert Locust breeding and migration, and the preparation of locust situation assessment reports, bulletins and warnings.
Conducts research to improve the locust early warning, monitoring, forecasting and reporting systems, including through the use of appropriate models and remote sensing technologies.
Designs, plans, organizes and evaluates training courses on new and existing methods of surveys, reporting, forecasting and control for Desert Locusts.
Provides advice to countries and partners on Desert Locust control programmes, and their requirements, including for processing and sharing information among Desert Locust Control Units in neighboring and other countries.
Cooperates with the Desert Locust Regional Commissions' Secretariats and national locust control units, including to improve data collection and reporting and to provide technical support as required.
Provides relevant advice, including on the logistics and funding, for the design, establishment, operation, and evaluation of Desert Locust surveys and monitoring systems in the field.
Provides guidance and training to the Desert Locust information officers of the regional Desert Locust Commissions and the national Desert Locust Control Units.
Backstops field operations by national Desert Locust Control Units, which may include monitoring and early
warning, and rapid response systems.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
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Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree (Masterโs degree or equivalent) in agriculture-related GIS, pest monitoring and early warning systems, or related disciplines.
Five years of relevant experience in plant pest modelling and prediction systems, such as locust monitoring and information management, in an international work setting.
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).
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Competencies
Results Focus
Teamwork
Communication
Building Effective Relationships
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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Technical/Functional Skills
Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
Extent and relevance of experience in locust biology, ecology, and locust information management and monitoring systems.
Extent and relevance of experience in advanced digital tools and systems, geographical information systems, remote sensing, data analysis, pest modelling and forecasting
Ability to cooperate with the officials of national governments, intergovernmental organizations, and other partner institutions and networks
Excellent written and oral communications skills and ability to analyse technical data and write clear, concise reports.
Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.
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