Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO)

Vacancy Announcement No.:389-GIL
Deadline for Application: 26 October 2000
Post number: * Four posts. See below
Position Title: Information Management Specialist(4 posts)
Level (grade): P-2
CGOG code: 1.A.05
Post code: C
Duty station: Accra, Santiago, Bangkok, Cairo
Date for entry on duty: As soon as possible
Duration of assignment Fixed-Term: 3 Years
Organizational Unit: Regional Office for Africa
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Regional Office for the Near East

This vacancy is open to male and female candidates.
Applications from qualified women candidates are encouraged.
Please note that FAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Director-General and may be assigned to any activities or office of the Organization.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall management and administrative leadership of the Regional Representative (RAF, RAP, RLC or RNE), and the technical supervision of the Chief GILF in the WAICENT Outreach Programme, the incumbent will participate in developing and strengthening knowledge exchange and information systems available to stakeholders in FAO's Member countries in the region and the international community associated with agricultural development and food security, as well as ensuring their contribution and participatory efforts in FAO-related activities, with a strong emphasis on the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). In particular, the incumbent will:

• participate in the planning, organization, implementation and evaluation of projects, workshops, and seminars in the region related to WAICENT field activities in capacity building in information management;
• establish and maintain contacts with FAO capacity building projects in Regional and Field Offices to improve coordination with WAICENT activities;
• identify new collaborators, audiences, information providers, markets and strategic partnerships to strengthen and improve the capacity building, role of WAICENT;
• identify and evaluate users' needs at the individual and community level in the Region for capacity building and training in information systems;
• participate in the testing, implementation, and management of application software tools, guidelines, policies and operating procedures to be used for information systems development in national agricultural organisations;
• improve availability of FAO corporate information systems in FAO Field Offices and Member Nations, in particular ensuring that all documents published in the Regional Office are included in the corporate electronic document repository;
• participate in the promotion activities of WAICENT information resources and at relevant local meetings and fora;
• perform other related duties as requested.

Qualifications and Exprience--Essential

University degree in agriculture or a related field, or in a technical field related to information. Three years of progressively responsible professional experience in electronic information systems and services, and in working in projects related to information systems and hypermedia applications.

Working knowledge (level C) of English, French, Spanish, or Arabic (according to the needs of the ROs) and limited knowledge of one of theother three (Ievel B).

Initiative, high sense of responsibility and proven ability to plan and organise work. Knowledge of information management methodologies using state-of-the art technologies such as the Internet. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. Courtesy, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Qualifications and Experience--Desirable

Experience with multimedia systems and software; experience with textual database retrieval systems and software knowledge of Hypertext, Mark-up Language (HTML) and related standards; familiarity with the FAO Web site and the Organisation's policies for publications and dissemination of information through electronic media.

Working knowledge (level C) of Chinese (for post located in RAP).

Level P-2 carries a net salary per year from US$ 36815 to US$ 46208 (without dependents) and from US$ 39251 to US$ 49534 (with dependents). A post adjustment component, not included in the above amounts, varies according to duty station and is subject to change without notice.

Applications:(in all cases quote the vacancy announcement number)to:

Manager: WAICENT (GILD) - FAO Via delle Terme di Caracalla - 00100 Rome
ITALY - Fax No. +39 06 5705 4049
Staff members: Complete 10 copies of form ADM 75.

Other Candidates: Please complete two copies of Personal History Form or send detailed Curriculum Vitae if form not available.

Applicants will be contacted only if they are short-listed.

In this connection please note that the selection process may take up to six months for completion.

Note: FAO is a non-smoking environment.

Date of issue of vacancy announcement: 3 August 2000

Guidelines to Applicants as on previous VA's or available on FAO Internet Page:
http://www.fao.org/VA/guidel-e.htm