Organizational Setting

The Office of Innovation (OIN) is an important instrument within FAO to provide strategic direction and help drive and coordinate innovation across the Organization's work, i.e. to consolidate and strengthen FAO's innovative spirit, including the innovation of approaches and cooperation models. Reporting to the Office of FAO Chief Scientist (DDCC), OIN supports the Programme Priority Areas, ensuring that FAO mainstreams innovation in its programmes, facilitates cross-collaboration among FAO units, and aids in forging and reinforcing transformative partnerships.

The position is located in the Office of Innovation (OIN) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Agricultural Biotechnologies) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer (Research, Biotechnology and Extension) and works in close collaboration with other relevant OIN teams.

Technical Focus

The Young Professional Officer (Agricultural Biotechnologies) assists with the development and implementation of programmes and activities related to agricultural biotechnologies for agrifood systems transformation and food security.

Key Results

Research, technical analysis and project related services to support the delivery of assigned projects, products and services.

Key Functions

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information, data and/or statistics for input in various documents.

• Maintains records and updates databases and web pages.

• Provides technical support to various projects.

• Collaborates in the development of training tools and materials and the organization of workshops/seminars, etc.

• Participates in the organization and follow-up of meetings, consultations and conferences, the production of required materials and the provision of information and assistance to partners.

Specific Functions

• Assists to collate, reviews and analyses information and documents on agricultural biotechnologies and related initiatives at global, regional and country levels.

• Supports in assessments of gaps, opportunities and scale-up of biotechnological solutions in support of FAO's priorities.

• Assists implementation of projects and activities related to agricultural biotechnologies based on requests from regional and country offices.

• Assists the monitoring and reporting on the implementation of FAO's work related to agricultural biotechnologies.

• Supports mobilization of resources through development of concept notes and project documents by compiling inputs from FAO offices and stakeholders.

• Contributes to organizing meetings, conferences and workshops related to science and innovation, especially on agricultural biotechnologies.

• Supports in preparation and dissemination of FAO messaging on priority areas related to agricultural biotechnologies through policy briefs, technical knowledge products to inform evidence-based decisions.

• Assists in strengthening partnerships with national and international institutions on biotechnologies and support to prepare relevant partnership instruments.

• Assists in knowledge generation by drafting articles, statements, briefing notes, talking points and key messages.

• Performs other duties as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in biotechnology (e.g. agricultural biotechnology, genetics, breeding, genomics), with food security and international development as an applied focus, rather than fundamental science.

• One year of relevant experience in agrifood biotechnologies programmes and projects of relevance to agrifood systems and food security.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - 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.

• Biotechnology knowledge and relevance of experience in multiple domains of agrifood systems, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture, food and nutrition, innovation, technology, veterinary sciences, biodiversity conservation, natural resources management, or related fields.

• Understanding of state of the art, frontier knowledge and leading institutions globally in agricultural biotechnologies of relevance to agrifood systems and food security.

• Understanding of policy and regulatory frameworks relating to agricultural biotechnologies globally, including biosafety and intellectual property systems.

• Strong informatics skills in R, Stata, Python, with some experience of bioinformatics, big data analyses, and of data visualisation for effective communication.

• Proven experience in scientific writing to a professional standard, including as first author on peer-reviewed scientific papers.

• Experience in science communication and stakeholder engagement, including translating biotechnology risk/benefit trade offs for policymakers and public audiences.

• 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 establishing and maintaining partnerships with government institutions, research organisations, universities, NGOs, civil society, farmers organizations and private sector.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of another official FAO language would be an asset.

Please note that candidates should be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December of the year of application.

The Young Professionals Programme (YPP) is a recruitment initiative targeted for talented, qualified professionals who are mainly nationals of non- and under- represented countries. Priority consideration will be given to candidates from Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and developing countries in general, to start a career as an international civil servant with FAO.