Overview
Manages FAO's global Desert Locust early warning and forecasting system, enabled by GIS, to collect and analyze meteorological and locust infestation data to provide forecasts and relevant advice to vulnerable countries.
Tasks Summary
- Manages the Desert Locust Information Service, including 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.
Experience Requirements
- Five years of relevant experience in plant pest modelling and prediction systems, such as locust monitoring and information management, in an international work setting.
- 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.
Qualification Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in agriculture-related GIS, pest monitoring and early warning systems, or related disciplines.
