Pesticide Waste Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the 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.

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 and to eradicate hunger, while preserving the natural resources and the environment for future use.

The position is located in the Pest and Pesticides Management Team (NSPCD), one of the six teams that make up NSP. The Team provides advice on integrated pest management for sustainable crop production systems, and pesticide management in the contexts of the implementations of the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and other international agreements. As part of these, the Team is responsible for the Pesticide Waste Management, including pesticide container management.

The incumbent will support:

• The development and update of international guidelines, tools and information management systems • Capacity building at national and regional levels, including trainings, workshops and surveys • Provide technical, regulatory and policy advice on pesticide waste management issues, including container management

The assignment will be home-based with possible duty travels to selected countries.

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the direct technical supervision of an Agricultural Officer in NSPCD and in collaboration with divisional technical officers working on pesticide management.

Technical Focus

Risk reduction throughout the pesticide life cycle, with a focus on management and prevention of wastes and contamination originating from pesticide use, including management of obsolete and unwanted pesticides, and empty pesticide containers.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Provide technical backstopping to field projects as necessary, in the area of pesticide waste management and container management. • Conduct technical review of existing FAO tools and provide guidance on pesticide waste management and container management. • Develop training materials and conduct trainings on different aspects of pesticide waste management (on the FAO Environmental Management Tool Kit and container management) • Prepare technical specification guidance documents on different aspects of pesticide waste management and container management. • Conduct study and literature review on global status, challenges and future perspectives of sustainable pesticide waste management.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree (BA or above) in Chemistry, Environmental Science or related field. • A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in a national/international context working either with a government institution, relevant Non-Governmental Organizations, National Regulatory Authorities, industry, academia, or other related field. • For Consultants: Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish). For Subscribers: Working knowledge of English.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• Extent and relevance of experience in management of obsolete pesticides/chemicals, associated wastes and empty • containers. • Experience in developing and/or implementing global or national strategies, policies or guidance. • Excellent technical writing skills. • Perform technical screening of information. • Experience in preparation of training materials

Selection Criteria

• Understanding of the resource and technical limitations of pesticide waste and container management in low- and middle-income countries, and capacity of taking those into account when developing technical tools