Chief Scientist

Job Summary

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) seeks a highly qualified and experienced Chief Scientist to lead its scientific efforts and promote innovation across the Organization.

As a key member of the Core Leadership team, the Chief Scientist will play a critical role in accelerating and scaling up innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and leverage emerging opportunities for food security, poverty reduction, and sustainable agricultural development.

The Chief Scientist will be responsible for consolidating and strengthening FAO's innovative ethos, ensuring the application of modern science and technology, and promoting innovative approaches to address complex challenges in agriculture and food systems.

Key responsibilities include:

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• Developing and implementing a strategic approach to innovation, including the promotion of science, technology, and innovation (STI) across the Organization
  
• Leading the development of an evidence-based and corporate perspective on emerging innovation, including the evaluation of the impact of context-specific innovation
  
• Collaborating with stakeholders to identify new programmes and cooperation models that leverage science, innovation, technology, and new approaches
  
• Overseeing the work of the Office for Innovation and ensuring the achievement of desired results
  
• Developing and implementing policies and capacities to enhance assistance to Members with regard to their research and development (R&D) strategies and priority actions
  
• Nurturing partnerships with science and innovation actors and networks, including the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) network and centres, National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), universities, and public and private research centres
  
• Leading and managing the Office by supervising its staff and making efficient and effective internal organizational arrangements
  
• Overseeing and dealing with the management of risk in all relevant units, ensuring that any significant control weaknesses are escalated
  
• Advocating FAO's policy position with respect to the areas under his/her mandate and communicating its messages
  

The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a field related to the work of FAO, at least 15 years of relevant experience, and demonstrated professional competence and management/strategic leadership of a high level.

FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, including a pension fund entitlement, international health insurance, and optional life insurance.

Interested candidates should apply through the FAO recruitment portal and provide a letter of motivation.