Young Professional Officer (Plant Production and Protection)

2601989

Young Professional Officer (Plant Production and Protection)

Job Posting

23/Sep/2026

Closure Date

14/Oct/2026, 9:59:00 PM

Organizational Unit: RAF

Job Type

Staff position

Type of Requisition: Professional

Grade Level: P-1

Primary Location

Ghana-Accra

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

Post Number: 2008736

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.

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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.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

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.

Organizational Setting

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) 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 oversees the network of Country Offices and the Subregional Office for Central Africa (SFC), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW), and Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS). It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the region and, in collaboration with Offices and Divisions at headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities and the implementation of the Organization's strategies through programmes and projects in the region.

The position is located in the Regional Office for Africa in Accra, Ghana.

Reporting Lines

The Young Professional Officer (Plant Production and Protection) reports to the Senior Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection).

Technical Focus

Programmes and activities at regional, subregional, national and local levels on sustainable plant production and protection, encompassing the seed systems, agronomics and plant health thematic areas and their enabling innovations, including biotechnologies, sustainable agricultural mechanization, drones, sensors and digitalization.

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

• Provides technical support and sundry backstopping interventions for projects, programmes and initiatives across FAO's RAF region to strengthen institutional and human capacities for the diverse cropping systems with interventions in one or more of the following areas: quality seeds, planting materials and seedlings; soil health; soil moisture management, including efficient irrigation systems; plant health, through integrated pest and disease management; innovations in agronomics, including protected cultivation systems, soilless systems; sustainable agricultural mechanization; digital agriculture; and pollinators.
• Supports the assessments of cropping systems and provide recommendations on validated innovative practices, and technologies along value chains to improve farm productivity; nutritional quality and safety of produce; and smallholders' incomes and livelihoods.
• Supports the development and review of technical documents related to different areas of crop production and protection and deliver relevant training programmes, especially for agronomists and extension staff of Member Countries.
• Assists in project implementation from conceptualization, through implementation and reporting to monitoring and evaluation in close collaboration with members of project teams, as required.
• Develops and reviews technical specifications for inputs and equipment for crops production systems, including in support of the implementation of projects.
• Collaborates with FAO technical teams, divisions, and decentralized offices and other partners on topics related to sustainable crop production systems.
• Provides support for convening meetings with relevant stakeholders and responsible representatives from government, civil society, regional and international bodies, private sector, and academia.
• Performs any 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 agriculture, agronomy, soil science, plant breeding and genetics, plant pathology, entomology or other related disciplines
• One year of relevant experience in development projects for sustainable crop production systems, sustainable agriculture, as well as plant genetic resources management, soil management, water/irrigation management, integrated pest and disease management, plant nutrition, protected cultivation, soilless systems, digital agriculture, sustainable agricultural mechanization.
• 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 is desirable.
• Extent and relevance of knowledge and experience in related fields such as crop improvement, agro-biodiversity, conservation of plant genetic resources as well as digital agriculture.
• Extent and relevance of experience in collecting, analysing and summarizing technical information and data.
• Extent and relevance of experience in project implementation is an asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience in establishing and maintaining partnerships with UN agencies, NGOs as well as donors and government institutions and agencies.
• Intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency – level B) of French is considered an asset.

NB 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.

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

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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
Other benefits, subject to eligibility, include:
• 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 workplace culture 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.
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HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.

If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp

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