Overview

The Pest Outbreak and Alert Response Specialist will provide technical and coordination support to the IPPC Secretariat for the operational implementation of the Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems (POARS). The role aims to contribute to the continuity of core POARS functions and support the delivery of time-bound, pest-specific outputs.

Tasks Summary

• Contribute to early awareness and identification of potential emerging pests by analysing and synthesizing information from multiple sources.
• Support the development and refinement of POARS processes, operational workflows, and harmonized technical guidance.
• Contribute to the technical drafting, reviewing, and disseminating of IPPC pest alerts, prevention materials for emerging pests and situational reports.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of pest lists, toolboxes and technical reference materials.
• Provide technical and organizational support to the Steering Group.
• Support the establishment, coordination and follow-up of time-bound expert working groups (EWGs).
• Contribute to capacity development activities and the development and promotion of training materials.
• Facilitate technical exchanges and maintain coordination with NPPOs, RPPOs, FAO regional offices, and partners.
• Support monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management activities, progress updates, and documentation related to POARS.
• Prepare minutes, reports, and technical documents, and participate in stakeholder meetings as required.

Experience Requirements

• For PSAs: At least three (3) years of relevant experience supporting technical programmes or projects related to plant health, including experience in one or more of the following areas: pest surveillance, early warning, basic epidemiological analysis, pest prevention, preparedness and response, or contingency planning, with demonstrated familiarity with the IPPC, relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), and international instruments.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, preferably in an international or multicultural context.
• Experience contributing to early awareness or situational understanding of plant health risks through the use of pest reports, surveillance information, expert inputs, scientific literature, regional information or other relevant sources.
• Ability to support coordination mechanisms, expert groups or technical working groups.
• Experience organizing, facilitating and supporting technical meetings, workshops or stakeholder consultations.

Qualification Requirements

• For Consultants: Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, plant protection, phytosanitary sciences, biology, natural sciences or other relevant fields. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, plant protection, phytosanitary sciences, biology, natural sciences or other relevant fields.

Other Details

Languages Required: • Working knowledge of English.

Languages Preferred: • Working knowledge of other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) would be desirable

Contract Duration: Up to 11 months, with the possibility of extension. The assignment may have a duration ranging from one to eleven months within a twelve-month period.

Work Modality:

Remuneration: