Young Professional Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests Management), Rome

FAO; Roma; On-site; EUR 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks a Young Professional Officer to lead transboundary plant pests management initiatives in its Plant Health cluster at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. The role focuses on surveillance, forecasting, contingency planning and capacity building for national staff.

Reporting lines and selection emphasize early career development under the FAO Young Professionals Programme, with a two-year fixed-term contract and extension

Qualifications

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture/agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, plant protection or any related field.
• One year of relevant experience in one or more of the plant pest management areas.
• Working knowledge (proficiency level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Responsibilities

• Analyses relevant technical social, economic, environmental, and technology information 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.
• 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.
• Supports the preparation and implementation of plant pests preventive, management and contingency plans.
• Contributes to capacity development programmes of national staff involved in plant pests surveillance and plant health emergency management.

Skills

Results Focus

Building Effective Relationships

Knowledge Sharing

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in agriculture/agronomy/entomology/plant pathology

Job description

Job Description - Young Professional Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests Management) (2602093)

Job Description

2602093

Young Professional Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests Management)

Job Posting

08/Oct/2026

Closure Date

29/Oct/2026, 10:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit : NSP

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition : Professional

Primary Location

Italy-Rome

Duration : Fixed-term: two years with possibility of extension

Post Number : 2008716

CCOG Code : 1H01

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.

FAO Workforce Diversity Commitment

• 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, which produce more with less, through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems' environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources

The position is located in the Plant Health cluster of the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It is, one of the five clusters that make up NSP. The Plant Health cluster provides advice, technical support and guidance to countries on the sustainable management and control of transboundary plant pests and diseases and locusts.

Organizational Setting

The Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP) contributes to FAO's work by supporting countries to transition to sustainable crop production systems, which produce more with less, through optimization and minimization. This requires the integration and harmonization of all appropriate crop production policies and practices to both optimize productivity and minimize the systems' environmental footprints and thereby eradicate hunger and malnutrition while preserving natural resources.

Reporting Lines

The Young professional Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests Management) reports to the S enior A gricultural O fficer, l eader of the Plant Health cluster.

Technical Focus

Management of transboundary plant pests and diseases through a combination of surveillance, early detection, forecasting, early warning, contingency planning, rapid response and promotion of environmentally sound management and control techniques.

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

• Supports the preparation and the implementation of the plant pest's preventive, management and contingency plans.
• Contributes to the capacity development programmes of the national staff involved in plant pests' surveillance and plant health emergency management.
• Supports or enhances the plant pests early warning, monitoring, forecasting and reporting systems.
• Contributes to the discussion and development of plant pest national and regional management strategies.
• Assists in the preparation/review of the technical specifications of the material and equipment for the survey and control operations of various plant pests.
• Assists in the monitoring and assessment of the impact of plant pests control treatments on the human health and environment.
• Provides needed other relevant support.

Candidates Will Be Assessed Against The Following

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in agriculture/agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, plant protection or any related field.
• One year of relevant experience in one or more of the above-listed plant pest's management areas.
• 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).
• Results Focus
• 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 and relevance of experience in collecting and analysing technical information and data.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in related fields such as plant health and pest management.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the preparation, editing and revision of technical/scientific documents and in organizing meetings and workshops.
• Working knowledge (proficiency – level C) of another FAO language would be an asset.

NB Please note thatcandidates 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.

FAO staff are expected to adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Extension of fixed term appointments is based on certification of performance and availability of funds
• FAO reserves the right not to make an appointment.
• Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the following link: https://commonsystem.org/cp/default.asp

• Dependency allowances
• Rental subsidy
• Education grant for children
• Home leave travel
• 30 working days of annual leave per year
• Pension fund entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund
• International health insurance; optional life insurance
• Disability protection

FAO encourages a positive workplaceculture to increase inclusivity and diversity within its workforce. FAO applies measures in which all staff members contribute equally and in full to the work and development of the Organization. This includes:

• elements of family-friendly policies
• flexible working arrangements
• standards of conduct.