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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 Members and persons 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
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.
Organizational Setting
The FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) was established in 1996 in Samoa to coordinate the work of FAO in the Pacific Islands, including the Cook Islands, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and one Associate Member, Tokelau. SAP is responsible for developing, overseeing and implementing programmes and projects to address food security, nutrition, agriculture and rural development priorities. It develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions and entities. The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of FAO’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) in Bangkok.
This position is located in the FAO Subregional Office for the Pacific Islands (SAP) in Apia, Samoa.
Reporting Lines
The Young Professional Officer (Innovation and Digital Agriculture) reports to the Food and Nutrition Officer, SAP, who is responsible for the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Solutions Platform in SAP.
Technical Focus
Support the implementation of the “Science and Innovation Strategy” to ensure improved use of sustainable, inclusive digital solutions to deliver agriculture and food system transformation in the Pacific region. Effective technical support for the implementation of Digital Villages Initiative (DVI) in the Pacific.
Key Results
Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.
Key Functions
- Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, climate and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents;
- Maintains records and updates databases and web pages;
- Provides technical support to various projects;
- Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.;
- Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.
Specific Functions
- Provides support for the implementation of the “Science and Innovation Strategy” in the Pacific, aiming at better-informed country planning through quality data; better informed digital support for food systems transformation; and inclusive digital agriculture ecosystems;
- Provides support for the implementation of the DVI in the Pacific;
- Assists in building awareness and capacity amongst RAP and SAP, and within SAP Offices at subregional and national levels;
- Supports profile homegrown digital and innovative solutions in the region under the overall arrangement of the SIDS Solutions Platform;
- Liaises with the SAP Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Officers to support identification, assessment and evaluation of the feasibility of developing and deploying new digital technologies and services (especially those related to priority farm/herd/fish value chains and production systems, farm services and rural economy);
- Supports the review of the state of digital platforms, digital databases and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications from public agency departments, private companies, academia, farmers groups and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the Pacific;
- Contributes to the analyses of existing e-Agriculture strategies and national digitalization programmes/priorities relevant to agriculture and food security to provide strategic and technical advice to the SAP MDT;
- Contributes to the development and maintenance of a database of innovation hubs, technology centres, and digital experts for multidisciplinary partnerships;
Performs other duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
- Advanced university degree in computer science, information and communication technologies, business, commerce, economics, agricultural sciences, agricultural economics, food science, nutrition, food safety, environment studies, international development, rural development, systems analytics or related field;
- One year of relevant experience in food and nutrition security, rural and agriculture development or in any of the above-mentioned field of study.
- Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
- Extent and relevance of experience in digital agriculture, addressing for example: production and pro-harvest losses, advisory services, market linkages, financial services, data management, use of geospatial technologies, blockchain, artificial intelligence, drone use in agriculture, etc.
- Experience with management of online interactions is considered an asset.
- Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable.
- Extent and relevance of experience in implementation of technical assistance projects, preferably in the areas of agriculture and natural resources management, is desirable.
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NB Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.
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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.
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
- The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted at talented, qualified young professionals who are mainly nationals of non- or underrepresented members. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.
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
• 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
• 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.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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