Consultant - Plant Breeding and Genetics

Organizational Context

The Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, through its Joint FAO/IAEA Centre, supports Member States in utilizing nuclear techniques for food security and sustainable agriculture. The Plant Breeding and Genetics Section and Laboratory specifically assist in developing mutation breeding methodologies and applications for crop improvement and biodiversity, contributing to intensified crop production systems.

Job Purpose

This consultancy provides technical expertise to the Plant Breeding and Genetics (PBG) subprogramme, focusing on delivering outputs related to mutation breeding, biotechnologies, and plant health innovations for climate-resilient crops. The role involves designing and implementing projects, including Coordinated Research Projects (CRPs), adhering to results-based management. The consultant will contribute to planning an International Symposium on Mutation Breeding, manage stakeholder engagement, develop partnerships, and create communication materials to enhance the sub-programme's visibility and strategic positioning. Additionally, the consultant will offer expertise in designing, monitoring, and evaluating donor-funded projects.

Responsibilities

The consultant will identify and develop strategic public and private partnerships, supporting the preparation of concept notes and technical proposals focused on plant breeding, plant health, and the Atoms4Food initiative. Key responsibilities include providing technical expertise on mutation breeding, plant health, and biotechnologies for designing, implementing, and evaluating projects aimed at climate change adaptation, ensuring adherence to results-based management principles. The role also involves contributing to the sub-programme's visibility and strategic positioning through communication and engagement activities, providing technical inputs and editorial review for reports and publications, and offering scientific expertise for organizing scientific meetings and liaising with stakeholders.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of experience is required in areas such as project management within international organizations, climate-resilient agriculture with a focus on mutation breeding and biotechnologies, resource mobilization including proposal preparation, developing strategic partnerships, and organizing technical events.

Skills

Plant breeding and genetics, mutation breeding, plant health, biotechnologies, project management, climate-resilient agriculture, resource mobilization, strategic partnerships, event organization, programme design and implementation.

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