Agrobiodiversity and Nature-Based Solution Specialist

Overview

Provide technical support on agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions for sustainable agriculture.

You have:

• Advanced university degree in agrifood systems, environmental sciences or related field from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO.
• Minimum two years of research experience on plants and environment, ideally in China and/or Indonesia.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Chinese.

Organizational Setting

FAO is recognized as the lead UN technical organization in the fight to eradicate hunger, eliminate rural poverty, and in the promotion of sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livestock development while promoting sustainable management of the environment and natural resources for the benefit of communities and rural people in need.

In Asia-Pacific Region, with support from GEF, member states and partners, FAO is implementing projects promoting dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity and addressing adverse impacts on the environment due to extensive cropping systems of main crops. Several GEF projects in this region are being carried out on agrobiodiversity and nature-based solutions for agrifood systems transformation, including three from China, GEF6 on agrobiodiversity, GEF7 on transformation of food production systems and agro-ecological landscapes are being implemented, and GEF8 on low carbon agrifood systems, as well as one project in Indonesia, GEF7 on crop diversity conservation for sustainable use.

GEF6 aims to promote dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of China origin crops, i.e., local rice in Yunnan, soybean in Liaoning and Heilongjiang, millet and oat in Hebei. GEF7 in China aims to achieve improved practices in agricultural landscapes of three major crops (notably rice, wheat, and maize) in Shandong, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Guizhou, and Heilongjiang Provinces, with a focus on the major staple crops of rice, wheat, and maize. GEF7 in Indonesia addresses the challenges that currently limit the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources of target croups in Indonesia – rice, taro, yam, nutmeg and clove in three provinces of Central Kalimantan, Central Java and North Maluku. GEF8 in China aims to transform agrifood systems across main food production areas including northeast, central and southeast China with four components on supportive policies, integrated landscape management, sustainable value chains, and knowledge management.

All four projects are expected to have a large-scale transformational impact on food systems, by targeting a transformation of agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization and low-carbon crop production landscapes, and by supporting integrated production systems and restoration of degraded land, and value chains. This will result in reduced GHG emissions and nutrient runoff, and improved biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Reporting Lines

The Specialist will be under the overall supervision of the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) as the Budget Holder, Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific FAO, and the direct technical supervision of FAO Agriculture Officer (Plant Production).

Technical Focus

The Specialist will provide technical support to the projects with a comprehensive review of status, challenges, and opportunities of selected crops in the agro-ecological landscape transformation in Asia-Pacific region.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Build scientific and technical capacity on key areas, such as, conservation and utilization of agrobiodiversity, sustainable intensive crop production, sustainable landscape management, nature-based solution in crop production and value chain, and low-carbon agrifood systems, through analysis, consultation, knowledge exchange, and collaborative on-site demonstration projects in the Asia and Pacific region, mostly China and Indonesia. • Work together with LTO and focal point of GEF project at FAO country office through the technical support and coordination with the project teams for the execution of activities according to the prescribed work plan. • Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to sustainable food production practices and responsible agri-food value chains for the staple crops of rice, wheat and maize, by analysing the cutting-edge technologies, best practices, policy landscapes, such as the mapping study on newly developed or improved standards, chemical fertilizer reduction, pesticide reduction, and soil organic matter content in the region. • Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to conservation and restoration of agroecosystems and biodiversity, by analysing the cutting-edge technologies, best practices, policy landscapes, such as the mapping study of the latest methodologies and best practices on carbon emission reduction and carbon sequestration in plant production in Asia region. • Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the project activities related to dynamic conservation and sustainable utilization of agrobiodiversity for on-farm management of local varieties of target crops and sustainable production and value chain development of crop-derived commodities through market and non-market incentive in the region. • Assist the LTO to provide technical advice and support on the activities related to knowledge management and M&E, by documenting case studies/stories from piloting provinces, organizing training workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing platforms focused on plant and environment, agroecology, and GEF related programmes, in the country's context across the Asia-Pacific region, such as the organization of regional sharing workshop under FOLUR IP. • Participate in regional and national project related workshops/consultations/meetings for progress review and knowledge sharing. • Participate in supervisory inspection mission as requested. • Work as a task force in formulating GEF9 projects related to food systems integrated programme in the region, especially for China and Indonesia. • Perform any other related tasks as may be required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agrifood systems, environmental sciences or related field. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience. • Minimum two years of research experience on plants and environment, ideally in China and/or Indonesia. • Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and Chinese.

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Relevant experience in working with a wide range of partners, including governments and research institutions. • Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is desirable. • Relevance and extent of research experience on plants and environment, such as soil and water; designing, collecting, and analyzing technical information and data; preparing, editing, and revising technical/scientific documents, and publication; organizing international meetings and workshops. • Relevance and extent of experience in working with governments, research institutions, and multidisciplinary teams.

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 months ago - Updated 3 months ago - Source: fao.org