Overview
The Senior Technical Officer will lead and support teams within the Secretariat to provide advice and technical guidance on the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) and Farmers’ Rights.
Key Responsibilities
- Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of technical issues of assigned programmes/projects.
- Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessment of issues and trends.
- Supervises preparation of various written outputs, including background papers, analyses, and substantial sections of reports.
- Directs substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences.
- Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars.
- Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants.
- Provides advice to develop policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines.
- Provides technical leadership for and overall coordination of the implementation of the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA.
- Provides technical leadership to support negotiations amongst Contracting Parties to enhance the implementation of Farmers’ Rights.
- Leads and/or coordinates teams to improve the implementation of the Treaty and the development of technical products and documents.
- Supports the Secretary in establishing, promoting and maintaining relationships with relevant FAO Technical Units and Decentralized Offices.
- Maintains a broad, strategic overview of international developments related to conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, sustainable agriculture and food security, and Farmers’ Rights.
- Supports programmes and processes on partnership and membership for the International Treaty.
- Conducts, designs and oversees research and analysis on technical reports, publications and/or on-going programme on conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA.
- Supports the Secretary (ITPGRFA) and/or participates in resource mobilization activities.
- Represents the Secretary (ITPGRFA) at conferences, official functions and other occasions.
Required Experience
- Ten years of relevant experience at international level in supporting development and implementation of policies and technical programmes for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential.
- Extent and relevance of experience in facilitating intergovernmental negotiations for the development and implementation of international policies on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Extent and relevance of experience in leading or supporting the development and operation of global strategies and programmes on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
- Extent and relevance of experience in leading and participating in multidisciplinary teams to develop science-based/technical analysis to improve the implementation of the Treaty and the functioning of its mechanisms.
- Extent of experience in developing, or participating in, cooperation programmes with the international institutions relevant to the International Treaty.
- Extent of experience in the provision of technical support and policy advice to countries and relevant stakeholders on Treaty implementation is considered an asset.
Qualifications
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agronomy, biological sciences with specialization in plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Doctoral degree in those fields would be an asset.
