Senior Agricultural Officer – Plant Production & Protection

About the role

The Senior Agricultural Officer (Plant Production and Protection) will provide technical leadership for sustainable cropping systems across the FAO Regional Office for Africa. Based in Accra, the role supports the design, implementation and monitoring of regional programmes that integrate seed systems, agronomics, plant health and innovative technologies.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and coordination of regional interventions on modern crop production and protection, including climate‑smart practices and nutrition outcomes.
• Provide technical oversight and policy advice to member countries, sub‑regional offices and FAO headquarters on seed systems, integrated pest management, biotechnology, drones, sensors and digital agriculture.
• Represent FAO at international meetings, negotiate partnerships and contribute to resource mobilisation aligned with the FAO Corporate Strategy.
• Oversee research, standards development and knowledge‑sharing activities, ensuring quality and relevance of technical outputs.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in agronomy, plant science, seed science/technology or a related field.
• At least ten years of experience with public or private sector institutions or international organisations, focusing on seeds, plant genetic resources and related policies in developing countries.
• Proficiency in English (level C) and intermediate knowledge of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).
• Demonstrated results‑focused leadership, strong communication and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.

Required skills

• Seed systems and plant breeding
• Integrated pest management (IPM) and biopesticides
• Sustainable agricultural mechanisation and agronomics
• Biotechnologies and protected cultivation
• Drones, remote sensors and digitalisation tools
• Artificial intelligence applications in agriculture