Secretary, Commission on Phytosanitary Measures of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

Organizational Setting

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) was established under Article XIV of the FAO Constitution, and has the purpose of securing common and effective action to prevent the spread and introduction of pests of plants and plant products, and to promote appropriate measures for their control. The contracting parties to the IPPC undertake to adopt the legislative, technical and administrative measures specified in this Convention and in supplementary agreements. The Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) is the highest Governing Body of the IPPC. Article XII of the IPPC states that “The Secretary of the Commission shall be appointed by the Director-General of FAO.”

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the concerned Deputy Director-General and the general supervision of the Director, NSP, the Secretary shall be responsible for the duties as outlined in the Convention. The Secretary is responsible for managing the IPPC Secretariat; for ensuring the implementation of the IPPC work programmes in the different areas of activities; for supporting, the Commission’s sessions, its subsidiary bodies and other working groups; and for liaison between FAO and IPPC’s highest governing body CPM (Commission for Phytosanitary Measures).

Summary of Duties and Functions

• formulate and implement the IPPC strategic framework, work programmes and policies as agreed upon by the CPM in consultation with the CPM Bureau and units concerned in FAO; monitor new issues, concerns and developments in the field of plant health and develop proposals for possible action;
• manage the human and financial resources of the Secretariat and the CPM within resources provided by FAO, and any extra-budgetary resources;
• manage the preparation and editing of the reports issued by the CPM, its subsidiary bodies and other working groups, as well as other publications produced by the Secretariat in its different areas of activities and ensure the publication and dissemination of the standards, reports and documents which have been adopted by the CPM;
• promote the IPPC at the international, regional and national level, especially with regard to attracting financial, staff and/or other contributions to its work programme by providing communication, fund-raising, and promotion strategies for the IPPC, designing and implementing a publication plan for the IPPC;
• Represents the IPPC in its relations with the media, non-governmental organizations and private sector;
• facilitate the governance and further development of the IPPC electronic certification tool (the ePhyto Solution) and any future collaborative efforts related to electronic certification and/or data;
• ensure the development and maintenance of appropriate tools for the exchange of information among members and between members and the Secretariat;
• monitor the implementation of the IPPC and its International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs);
• ensure the coordination and delivery of technical assistance for phytosanitary capacity building;
• represent the IPPC and liaise with the World Trade Organization, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Biodiversity Liaison Group, the Standards and Trade Development Facility, and other international governmental, non-governmental and regional organizations relevant to the goals of the IPPC;
• report on all these matters annually to the CPM;

• perform other duties as required.

  CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in Natural Sciences or Agriculture with a specialization in a subject relevant to plant protection;
• Demonstrated management and technical leadership at a senior level of responsibility and well-developed communication, persuasion, mitigating and analytical skills;
• Minimum twelve years of relevant/cognitive experience in an agricultural setting including plant protection and phytosanitary-related areas;
• High sense of responsibility and accountability;
• Working knowledge of English and limited knowledge of one of the other official languages of FAO (French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic or Russian).

Technical/Functional Skills

• Demonstrated familiarity with the functions and working processes of IPPC governing bodies, of ISPM’s setting and implementation, and of trade-related Phytosanitary issues;
• Experience in Phytosanitary programmes at national, regional or international level, and the elaboration of International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), guidelines and regulations;
• Ability to develop and maintain professional contacts with senior governmental and non-governmental (including private sector) officials;
• Comfortable with and willingness to make maximum use of advanced communication technologies. Agreeable to making use of alternative work environments in certain conditions;
• Knowledge and working experience with intergovernmental bodies, governmental services, international non-governmental organizations and industries operating in the field of plant protection.