Technical Adviser (Aromatic Plants)

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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments

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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO’s values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

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.

Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (RNE) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with divisions and offices at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO’s strategic response to regional priorities. RNE also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RNE develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.

The position is located in the RNE Operations Branch (RNER) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Reporting Lines
The Technical Adviser (Aromatic Plants) reports to the Chief Technical Adviser under the overall guidance of the Programme Coordinator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Technical Focus
Capacity development and knowledge management for the development of rose production and trade.

Key Results
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support technical cooperation-related programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions
• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned technical cooperation-related programmes/projects; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions.
• Coordinates technical cooperation activities and programme-related activities, reviews the assessments of issues and trends for their implementation and leads the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.
• Provides advice regarding the development of policies and strategies related to technical cooperation, as well as regional, sub regional and national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions
• Assists and advises the FAO Programme Director, liaise with the Programme Management Unit (PMU) and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture (MoEWA) to ensure the flow of cooperation and coordination in the planning and implementation and monitoring progress of the project component in accordance with the project document.
• Leads comprehensive aromatic plants sector review and diagnostic studies including innovations and technologies in production, processing and trade to give directions to the sustainable development of the sector.
• Identifies, pilot tests and promotes sustainable and efficient best agronomic practices among rose/jasmine small growers, including cultivation of improved climatically well-adapted, pest resistant and high yielding – cultivars/varieties.
• Assists in developing a catalogue of major rose diseases, pests and weed in the target regions; develops and implements integrated pest management (IPM) programmes for the control of pests and diseases and ensure access of the growers to pests and diseases control services.
• Supports establishment and operation of rose nurseries and tissue culture laboratories to produce and distribute healthy seedlings and planting materials.
• Promotes development of quality and standards of rose oil and other aromatic plant products by stakeholders to address market demands.
• Reviews and validates the list of identified technical experts for the project component, prepares their Terms of Reference (ToRs) and manages their recruitment, supervises and assists the technical team, consultants and the support staff in carrying out their duties.
• Leads and/or supervises preparation and dissemination of various written project component outputs, e.g. background papers, sector reviews, technical reports, sections of reports and studies, manuals, guidelines and checklists and knowledge products.
• Leads and supervises preparation of quarterly and semi-annual project component progress reports, terminal report and identifies lessons learnt, constraints and issues that require timely resolution and corrective actions and presents recommendations for improving the performance.
• Leads development of demand driven and responsive partnerships to benefit Saudi Arabia from proven innovation and good practices in the South and the North for roses and other aromatic plants.
• Raises awareness, organizes events and supports the exposure of aromatic plants stakeholders to regional or global experiences through targeted visits for experience sharing.
• Performs any other functions as required.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, plant breeding, agronomy, extension or any related field.
• Seven years of relevant experience in technical cooperation-related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• 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
• 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 ad relevance of experience in in technical cooperation related activities, policy advice and analysis relating to food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes.
• Extent ad relevance of experience in development of rose production and trade.
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with inter-governmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams.
• Limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of Arabic is an asset.