Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist - Immediate Start

We are looking for an energetic Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist to join our incredible team at FAO in Roma.
Growing your career as a Full Time Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist is an awesome opportunity to develop productive skills.
If you are strong in planning, communication and have the right mindset for the job, then apply for the position of Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist at FAO today!

Job Description - Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist (2300983)

Job Description

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT : 2300983

Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist

Job Posting

: 03/Apr/2023

Closure Date

: 24/Apr/2023, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : NSP

Job Type

: Non-staff opportunities

Type of Requisition : Consultant / PSA (Personal Services Agreement)

Primary Location

: Italy-Rome

Duration : Up to 11 months on WAE basis with possibility of renewal

Post Number : N/A

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

• 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 Members and person with disabilities are encouraged to apply;
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) enables the transition to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable plant production and protection through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices in order to increase production in a sustainable manner in order to eradicate hunger while preserving the natural resources and environment for future use.

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 184 contracting parties, which aims to protect the world's cultivated and wild plants by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within NSP and supports the implementation of policies and activities of the CPM and carrying out such other functions as may be assigned and one of the main functions of the Secretariat is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention as well as the development and implementation of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) to fulfil the IPPC's mandates. 

Reporting Lines

The incumbent reports to the IPPC Secretariat Standard Setting Unit Lead.

Technical Focus 

The IPPC Standard setting unit coordinates the processes for setting International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs) and Commission on phytosanitary measures (CPM) recommendations. It supports the Standards Committee (SC) and several expert subgroups that help develop standards as well as provides technical support for implementing the IPPC's strategic framework 

Tasks and responsibilities

• Support the organization of assigned Committees and Expert Drafting Groups (including Technical Panels and Expert working groups), CPM Focus Groups and Task Forces, regional workshops in coordination with respective Leads and liaising with other Units;
• Elaborate discussion papers, concept notes and reports (including, note-taking, drafting, formatting); 
• Launch, maintain closing (ensuring that information is forwarded to the appropriate IPPC stakeholders) the IPPC automated calls: 2023 Call for Topics: Standards and Implementation; calls for EWGs and Technical Panels experts; calls for diagnostic protocols authors; calls for papers and studies; calls for nominations for Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) Focus Groups; other IPPC calls as needed; 
• Manage the Online Commenting System (OCS) and maintain the IPPC-OCS mailbox;
• Support the consultation and notification periods for draft ISPMs and specifications (tracking, editing, translation, provision of documents for stewards, etc.);
• Support coordination of the translation of standards and other related documents liaising with FAO Translation services;
• Ensure that the relevant information on International Phytosanitary Portal (IPP) relating to assigned areas of responsibility is updated and accurate;
• Support elaboration of new items of the SSU in coordination with the Communication Team;
• Provide, upon request, an input into outreach material, 
• Carry out extensive research on topics of interest to the work of the IPPC in support of ongoing tasks;
• Travel as and when necessary for meetings;
• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Bachelor or master’s degree in Biology, Agronomy with a specialization pest control or a related field, Business Administration, Global Governance, International Relations, Development Studies
• Minimum one year of relevant experience international cooperation and project management, standard setting.
• Working knowledge (level C) of English and limited knowledge (level B) of one of the other official FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) for Consultants. In the case of PSA.SBS the requirement is the working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work
• Extent and relevance of experience in working with international organizations (especially Secretariats)
• Extent and relevance of experience in standard setting organization 
• Extent and relevance of experience in organizing and facilitating meetings 
• Extent and relevance of experience in writing, editing and formatting technical documents
• Extent and relevant of experience in working with digital and virtual tools
• Technical knowledge of plant production and crop protection will be considered as an asset.

Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
• Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
• 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
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

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
• 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
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

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Benefits of working as a Phytosanitary Standard Setting Specialist in Roma:

● Excellent benefits
● Advancement opportunities
● Advantageous package