Pest Outbreak and Alert Response Specialist

Organizational Setting

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) is an international agreement on plant health with 185 contracting parties and 10 Regional Plant Protection Organizations. Its objective is to protect cultivated and wild plants worldwide by preventing the introduction and spread of plant pests. The IPPC is governed by the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM). The IPPC Secretariat is hosted by FAO within the NSP Division and supports the development and implementation of CPM policies and activities, as well as the execution of any other functions entrusted to it. One of the Secretariat’s core functions is to facilitate the implementation of the Convention and the development and application of the International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), to fulfil the IPPC mandate.

The IPPC Secretariat manages a Development Agenda consisting of Strengthening Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems (POARS). POARS is a mechanism that identifies emerging pests of global concern before they escalate. It issues global pest alerts, drawing on horizon scanning and pest reporting under National Reporting Obligations (NROs), to support early situational awareness. POARS also promotes harmonized technical approaches and common reference materials that support consistency and a shared technical understanding across countries, fostering early coordination and collective action to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response measures against emerging pests that can rapidly scale beyond national borders.

The consultant is engaged by the Organization under the Project GCP/GLO/1238/EC “EU Support to the IPPC Strategic Framework and Workplan”.

The assignment may have a duration ranging from one to eleven months within a twelve-month period. Any extension of the consultancy is subject to satisfactory performance, the availability of financial resources, and the operational needs of the Secretariat.

The objective of the call for expressions of interest for consultants and PSAs is to attract talent in order to strengthen the IPPC expert roster. Specialists included in this roster may be considered when relevant opportunities arise.

Reporting Lines

The Pest Outbreak and Alert Response Specialist is under the supervision of the IPPC Implementation and Facilitation Unit Deputy Lead.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical and coordination support to the IPPC Secretariat for the operational implementation of the Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems (POARS) contributing to the continuity of core POARS functions and supporting the delivery of time-bound, pest-specific outputs. This includes analyzing existing information flows, enhancing the use of National Reporting Obligations (NROs), support horizon scanning activities, assessment of potential emerging pests and IPPC pest alerts and contributing to the development of harmonized technical approaches for early detection and coordinated response to emerging pests.

The incumbent will facilitate the establishment and functioning of expert working groups (EWGs) and other targeted preparedness activities, which involves work with countries, regions, and technical partners to develop reference materials, improve situational awareness, and reinforce prevention and preparedness under the IPPC framework.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Contribute to early awareness and identification of potential emerging pests by analysing and synthesizing information from multiple sources, including pest nominations, surveillance and pest reporting under National Reporting Obligations (NROs), scientific literature, regional information and expert inputs
•     Support the development and refinement of POARS processes, operational workflows, and harmonized technical guidance for early detection and response.
•     Contribute to the technical drafting, reviewing, and disseminating of IPPC pest alerts, prevention materials for emerging pests and situational reports.
•     Contribute to the development and maintenance of pest lists, toolboxes and technical reference materials.
•     Provide technical and organizational support to the Steering Group, including preparation of background documents, technical briefs and meeting records.
•     Support the establishment, coordination and follow-up of time-bound expert working groups (EWGs), in line with approved Terms of Reference.
•     Contribute to capacity development activities and the development and promotion of training materials, coordinating where relevant with the IPPC Plant Health Campus.
•     Facilitate technical exchanges and maintain coordination with NPPOs, RPPOs, FAO regional offices, and partners to ensure consistent implementation and improved information flow.
•     Support monitoring, reporting, and knowledge management activities, progress updates, and documentation related to POARS.
•     Prepare minutes, reports, and technical documents, and participate in stakeholder meetings as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•     For Consultants Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, plant protection, phytosanitary sciences, biology, natural sciences or other relevant fields. Consultants with a bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
•     For PSAs: University degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in agriculture, plant protection, phytosanitary sciences, biology, natural sciences or other relevant fields. At least three (3) years of relevant experience supporting technical programmes or projects related to plant health, including experience in one or more of the following areas: pest surveillance, early warning, basic epidemiological analysis, pest prevention, preparedness and response, or contingency planning, with demonstrated familiarity with the IPPC, relevant International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures (ISPMs), and international instruments.
•     Working knowledge of English.  

FAO Core 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, preferably in an international or multicultural context.
•     Ability to analyse, synthesize and consolidate technical information related to plant health, pest surveillance, early awareness, preparedness or outbreak response support, drawing on diverse information sources.
•     Experience contributing to early awareness or situational understanding of plant health risks through the use of pest reports, surveillance information, expert inputs, scientific literature, regional information or other relevant sources.
•     Ability to support coordination mechanisms, expert groups or technical working groups, including preparation of background documentation, tracking of deliverables and follow-up actions.
•     Familiarity with the use of digital or IT tools (e.g., data management, GIS-supported analysis or AI-assisted information workflows) to support technical analysis and coordination activities.
•     Experience organizing, facilitating and supporting technical meetings, workshops or stakeholder consultations, including preparation of meeting records and technical summaries.

Desirable skills

•     Working knowledge of other FAO languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish or Russian) would be desirable

Selection Criteria:

•     Qualifications in one or more of the following areas are desirable, but not mandatory:
•     Experience supporting capacity development and/or awareness-raising activities related to plant health or biosecurity.
•     Familiarity with at least one relevant technical discipline, such as phytopathology, entomology, weed science, plant virology, nematology, plant bacteriology, or related fields.