Programme Officer (Biosecurity and Digital Technology)

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 Fisheries and Aquaculture Division (NFI) is responsible for the economic, social, institutional, governance and policy aspects of FAO's activities related to fisheries and aquaculture and their development, with particular emphasis on human well-being, food security and poverty reduction; post-harvest utilization, marketing and trade with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well-being of fishing communities; collection, compilation, validation, trend analysis and dissemination of the best available and up-to-date information and database for the syndication of the FAO information on all aspects of world fisheries and aquaculture. The Division is also responsible for FAO's activities related to the management and conservation of the living aquatic resources used by fisheries and aquaculture, including the biodiversity and ecosystem maintenance, with particular emphasis on most vulnerable and threatened species and habitats; management of responsible fisheries and aquaculture in accordance with modern management standards and best practices; development of fisheries technology, with due regard to the protection of the environment, food security and the well-being of fishing communities, including the safety of fishers and fishing vessels.

The position is located in the National Planning and Development Support Team (NFIAN) in the Sustainable Aquaculture area within NFI and is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Programme Officer (Biosecurity and Digital Technology) reports to the Senior Fishery Officer (NFIAN) under the overall supervision of the Deputy Director, NFI, and with additional supervision from the Team Leader, Food Safety, Nutrition and Health Team (NFIMF).

Technical Focus

Provides coordination, administrative, operational and technical support to the project GCP/GLO/086/ROK on 'Smart and Sustainable Aquaculture through Effective Biosecurity and Digital Technology.

Key Results

Develop, implement, monitor and evaluate assigned programmes/projects.

Key Functions

• Carries out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities; collects, analyses and presents statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources.

• Provides substantive support for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review and analysis of emerging development issues and trends, participation in impact evaluation or equivalent studies.

• Participates in survey initiatives; issues data collection tools, reviews, analyses and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares preliminary conclusions.

• Contributes to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analytical notes, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.

• Undertakes outreach activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars; participates in and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

• Participates in field missions, including provision of substantive and administrative support, data collection, etc.

• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and preparation of related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget.), as necessary.

Specific Functions

• Provides operational and technical support to implement project GCP/GLO/086/ROK in collaboration with FAO internal units and partners.

• Supports the establishment of the early warning system using the monitoring platform for sustainable and innovative shrimp farming along the shrimp value chain, applying for machine learning technology.

• Establishes and maintains relationships with donors and relevant stakeholders at international, national and local levels.

• Provides products of quality, input and support to meet the standards of the Project Implementation Reviews, Mid-term Reviews and Terminal Evaluations.

• Ensures, as project team member, that the activities and services delivered comply with the approved work plan and have a high relevance at all times to the needs of the recipient countries.

• Assists in the development and implementation of the technical, analytical, monitoring and reporting frameworks, and related methodologies, tools, systems and databases, etc. to support the planning, implementation/delivery, reporting and monitoring of the above-mentioned project.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in social science, environmental science, aquaculture, aquatic biosecurity, food safety, veterinary medicine or related disciplines.

• Three years of relevant experience in project development and project implementation management, organization of project-related events (national consultation, training courses, expert meetings, project review meetings, technical publications, etc.), including pre-event and post-event requirements.

• 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

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions.

• Technical experience in managing or establishing monitoring platforms in aquaculture, application of digital technology or machine learning technology (AI) in aquaculture.

• Technical knowledge of aquatic species health management in aquaculture using the Progressive Management Pathway for Aquaculture Biosecurity (PMP/AB) for and/or 'risk-based management' and 'One Health policy' to enable to support and implement the FAO Strategic Framework.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme/project formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.

• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data management system for surveillance.

• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in related fields such as aquaculture, aquatic animal health, value chains of seafood industry.

• Extent and relevance of experience in working with information and communication technology (ICT)-related information systems linking to biosecurity/food safety.

• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.

• Work experience in information and computer science is considered a strong asset.

• Understanding of FAO policies and programmes is considered a strong asset.