Senior Officer (Plant Breeding and Genetics)

The mandate of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (CJN) is to assist Members of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in using nuclear techniques and related technologies to improve food security, alleviate poverty and promote sustainable agriculture. The Joint FAO/IAEA Centre (CJN) consists of five Sections, each with an associated laboratory (located in Seibersdorf, Austria) in the areas of: animal production and health; plant breeding and genetics; insect pest control; soil and water management and crop nutrition; and food safety and control. The major activities of the joint FAO/IAEA Centre focus on:

• support and coordination of research and development (R-D) activities;
• capacity building and technology for FAO/IAEA Members;
• laboratory and technical support and assistance;
• policy advice and knowledge dissemination.

The post is located in the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture (CJN) in Vienna, Austria.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Technical Officer (Plant Breeding and Genetics) reports to the Director of the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre (CJN).

Technical Focus

Development and improvement of induced mutagenesis and advanced biotechnologies for plant breeding and crop improvement, application of nuclear and related techniques to increase efficiency of induced genetic variation and plant breeding, facilitation of the use of plant breeding for accelerated genetic gain in crop productivity, plant health and climate-change adaptation.

Key Results

Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of programmes of work, projects, related products and services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework.

Key Functions

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of technical issues of assigned programmes/projects; directs the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions;
• Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessment of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects as well as the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies;
• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports as well as studies, and inputs to publications;
• Directs substantive support to consultative meetings and conferences, to include the proposition of agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties;
• Provides advice to develop policies and strategies as well as national protocols and guide lines for projects with specific domains related to FAO’s work.

Specific Functions

• Implements and monitors activities of the programme including the development/improvement of induced genetic variation for crop improvement, breeding techniques and related biotechnologies for accelerated genetic gain and supporting system(s)/database(s);
• Designs and oversees research and analysis activities pertinent to plant breeding and genetics to support the development of technical standards, international instruments, innovation, technical reports, publications and/or ongoing programme development as well as the provision of technical and/or policy advisory services;
• Provides technical support and/or policy advice to FAO and IAEA Members through Technical Cooperation projects in promoting application of induced genetic variation and plant breeding for crop improvement in the context of climate change and global food security, especially in developing countries;
• Leads technical and managerial coordination of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Section and oversees programmatic implementation of the Plant Breeding and Genetics Laboratory;
• Provides strategic direction and intellectual leadership for the development and application of research innovation frameworks and standards for plant breeding and crop improvement anchored on the concepts of induced genetic variation and accelerated genetic gain;
• Leads visionary thinking and priority setting for the development, adaptation and/or improvement of plant breeding and associated biotechnologies based on existing capacities and emerging issues faced by FAO and IAEA Members in the production of food, feed or cash crops propagated either by seed or vegetative means;
• Facilitates the testing and establishment of workable seed system modalities in FAO/IAEA Members, where necessary, for enhanced access of farmers to improved varieties of seeds ;
• Provides technical leadership for the Plant Mutation Breeding Network and facilitates technology exchange to continuously enhance breeding-pipeline efficiencies in FAO and IAEA Members;
• Manages, supports and coordinates research and development activities through Coordinated Research Projects to develop innovative solutions to emerging issues in crop production, and technical obstacles to plant breeding and accelerated genetic gain;
• Leads and provides technical backstopping to and ensures the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge-sharing activities for Members in the application of plant breeding;
• Ensures timely publication of updates to the Manual on Mutation Breeding, as well as the preparation of up-to-date training manuals on relevant crop-trait and technology development/ improvement topics;
• Monitors policy, legal and technical developments at national and international levels relevant to technologies applied for plant breeding and crop improvement;
• Participates and contributes to the emergency response and preparation for nuclear and radiological emergencies affecting food and agriculture.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree in biological or agricultural sciences with specialization in plant breeding, crop improvement, crop science or related field.
• Ten years of relevant experience in the area of plant breeding and professional experience in research on crop improvement and/or other biological sciences.
• Working knowledge (proficient – level C) of English and limited knowledge (intermediate – level B) of another official FAO language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions, is essential;
• Extent and relevance of experience in planning and delivery of crop-improvement strategies and programmes/projects including experience in laboratory;
• Demonstrated skills and experience in leading multidisciplinary teams, working groups or networks related to plant breeding/crop improvement;
• In-depth knowledge of, and practical experience in plant breeding, biotechnology and related technologies;
• Proven ability to formulate, undertake and manage research and development activities and projects;
• Demonstrated ability and experience in technology transfer, capacity building and technical/policy advice for developing countries in areas of crop improvement and production;
• Demonstrated skills and experience in resource mobilization for extra budgetary funding for field projects and R – D activities;
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in application of nuclear techniques especially in mutation breeding is desirable;
• A relevant PhD (i.e. doctorate level degree) is considered an asset.

Job Posting

28/Nov/2023

Closure Date

26/Dec/2023, 11:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit

CJN

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition

Professional

Grade Level

P-5

Primary Location

Austria-Vienna

Duration

Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number

0054941

CCOG Code

1A11

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that Closure Date and Time displayed above are based on date and time settings of your personal device

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 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.