agricultural officer (innovation and digital agriculture)FAO

2101279
Agricultural Officer (Innovation and digital agriculture)
Job Posting: 26/Apr/2021
Closure Date: 17/May/2021, 4:59:00 PM
Organizational Unit: RAP
Job Type: Staff position
Type of Requisition: Professional
Grade Level: P-4
Primary Location: Thailand-Bangkok
Duration: Fixed term: two years with possibility of extension
Post Number: 1020579
CCOG Code: 1L09
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device
The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments.
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FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply for this position
FAO does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization.
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Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. RAP also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAP develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and the Secretariat for Pacific Community (SPC).
The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The post is located in the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, in Bangkok, Thailand.
Reporting Lines
The Agricultural Officer (Innovation and digital agriculture) reports to the Senior Policy Officer of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and Pacific in close consultation and collaboration with the Office for Innovation at FAO headquarters in Rome for functional guidance on matters relating to innovation and digitalization of agriculture for food security and agricultural development.
Technical Focus
Support to development of innovation strategies, policies and programmes, including digital technology integration and management models to enable agricultural transformation towards more efficient, sustainable and inclusive food systems.
Key Results
Development and implementation of coherent, adaptive, and effective digital and other innovative strategies, policies, programmes, and initiatives in support of agricultural transformation that enhances food security and nutrition and promotes more efficient, sustainable and inclusive food systems in line with SDGs and organizational objectives.
Key functions:
Leads the strategic thinking and planning on agricultural innovation systems and digitalization of agriculture in the Regional Office and contributes to the development of innovative programmes and initiatives at country and regional levels in support of food and agriculture systems.
Supports Members in assessment of needs of agricultural innovation systems and provides national policy support and strategy development support to enact innovative initiatives and digital solutions from the perspectives of governance, policy, technology, communication and partnerships, and capacity building.
Plans, formulates, implements and scales up initiatives and programmes to facilitate innovation deployment and digital solutions for more efficient and sustainable farming (crops, livestock), resource use (land and water, forests, fisheries) and food systems (production, processing, trade, consumption and waste) taking into account the needs, priorities and capacities of small-scale farmers, women, youth and other marginalized communities.
Develops, maintains and strengthens strategic partnerships with specialized UN agencies, research institutions, extension agencies, private innovation hubs, and universities at the forefront of innovation and digital solutions including digital extension and best practices in support of FAO’s mandate and priorities.
Promotes synergies and coordination of innovation activities with FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HIHI) in the region; aligns regional innovation activities with the FAO Office for Innovation, the regional and national innovation hubs; maintains the i–hub in RAP and connects the i-Labs in country offices.
Coordinates with and supports multidisciplinary teams in FAO’s Regional Office and headquarters to mainstream innovation approaches, digital solutions across the regional programmes and activities in the region in line with the corporate innovation ethos.
Mobilizes resources through development of proposals, concept notes and project documents, coordinating with internal procedures and stakeholders; explores options under South-South Cooperation and HIHI by identifying appropriate partners and facilitating exchange of best practices, technologies and investment possibilities between donors, partners and recipient countries.
Provides technical leadership and inputs for generation of knowledge products (publications, reports and policy briefs) in areas of expertise related to innovation, digital agriculture, and related policies, processes and issues.
Specific Functions
Maintains updated knowledge on development trends, including technological innovations and digital solutions applied in food and agriculture systems.
Coordinates intelligence gathering by keeping abreast of latest research in agricultural innovation systems, digitalization of agriculture and ICT-related norms, standards and trends and develops knowledge on human-centred designs, business and partnership models, digital ecosystem approaches and digital extension.
Maintains a database of innovation hubs, technology centres, and digital experts for multidisciplinary partnerships.
Maintains updated knowledge on agriculture technology extension systems, and communication for development.
Performs other duties as required.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
Advanced university degree in agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, information and communication technologies for development, food science, political economy ,development economics, rural sociology, food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture (including livestock, forestry and fisheries), agricultural engineering, systems analytics or related field
Seven years of relevant experience in policy and strategy advice and analysis relating to innovation and digital solutions applied to, or relevant to, food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development
Working knowledge of English and one of the other FAO official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)
Competencies
Results Focus
Leading, Engaging and Empowering
Communications Skills
Partnering and Advocating
Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
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 strategic guidance and policy advice in areas related to designing, planning and deployment of agricultural innovation systems and digital solutions within the food and agriculture sectors, food and nutrition security, sustainable agriculture and rural development
Working experience in developing countries is desirable
Extent and relevance of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams
Extent and relevance of experience in information and communication technologies and underlying digital innovation
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FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/salary.htm
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
Dependency allowances
Rental subsidy
Education grant for children
Home leave travel
30 working days of annual leave per year
Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
International health insurance; optional life insurance
Disability protection
FAO encourages a positive workplace culture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:
elements of family-friendly policies
flexible working arrangements
standards of conduct.
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HOW TO APPLY
To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications and language skills.
Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile;
Once your profile is completed, please apply and submit your application;
Your application will be screened based on the information provided on your online profile;
Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications;
Incomplete applications will not be considered;
Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered;
We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
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