Associate Professional Officer (Innovation and Digital Agriculture)

Organizational Setting The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO’s Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agri-food systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

The Office of the Chief Innovation (OIN) has been recently established as an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the work of the Organization, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO’s innovative spirit, including innovation of approach and cooperation models and capacity development. The Office ensures that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes; facilitates cross-collaboration between the various FAO units; and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The post is located at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy and is funded by Finland.

Reporting Lines The Associate Professional Officer (Innovation and Digital Agriculture) reports to the Senior Technical Officer in the Office of Innovation.

Technical Focus Supports the innovation and digital agriculture activities; and provides policy and technical advice on innovations in agri-food systems.

Key Results Collection and analysis of information, data and statistics and support to programme projects, products and services.

Key Functions • Collects and analyses relevant technical, social, economic, environmental, institutional and technology related information, data and/or statistics to support the delivery of programme projects, products and services; • Undertakes analysis, provides technical input for plans and reports and edits/revises technical/scientific documents; • Participates in the development of improved work methods, tools and systems; • Updates databases and web pages; • Participates on multi-disciplinary project/work teams; • Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars etc; • Participates in the organization, conduct and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the development/production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Contributes to the development of the FAO innovation programme and supports related initiatives such as innovation workshops, hackathons, innovation sprints and workshops in digital agriculture and innovation; • Contributes to the identification, acceleration and scaling-up of innovative and digital solutions and business models in countries and FAO programmes; • Supports the implementation of the Global Network of Digital Agriculture Innovation Hubs in FAO Member Countries; • Assists in developing frameworks for sustainable partnerships and resource mobilization in the execution of the FAO innovation portfolio in collaboration with other OIN staff; • Supports the identification, formulation and implementation of programmes and projects to assist developing countries to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through innovation; • Contributes to innovation challenges, fora, and workshops to identify and share knowledge, good practices and lessons learned in digital agriculture and innovation. • Performs other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING Minimum Requirements

• This position is for citizens of Finland only • Maximum 32 years of age by the end of the application year • Advanced university degree in agriculture, agricultural innovation, innovation management, technology for development, development and public administration, social science, computer science, or a related field • Three years of relevant experience in agriculture, biodiversity, project management, innovation management or related area • Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish)

Competencies • Results Focus • Team Work • Communication • Building effective relationships • 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 the field of food and agriculture, fisheries, forestry, rural development, digital technologies and innovation • Extent and relevance of experience in project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation • Extent and relevance of experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data • Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops • Extent and relevance of experience in developing training tools and information materials