Information Systems Specialist

ADM213e 06/10
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
PROFESSIONAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NO: OEKD-660-11-PRJ
Issued on:
Deadline For Application: 9 May 2011
POSITION TITLE: Information Systems Specialist GRADE LEVEL: P-3
(Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)) DUTY STATION: Rome
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT: Office of Knowledge Exchange, Research and
Extension, OEK
DURATION ∗: Fixed term: 3 years (with
possibility of extension)*
POST CODE/NO: N
CCOG CODE: 1A05
Applications from qualified women as well as from qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member countries are encouraged
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Officer, the incumbent will technically support the conceptualization, design, development and
implementation of information and knowledge management services in GFAR and its constituent stakeholder organizations. In particular, will:
• Develop, in collaboration with partner institutions in agricultural research and innovation systems, common standards, protocols and
methodologies for information management and sharing.
• Maintain networks of collaboration with agricultural and technical specialists in both FAO and the Coherence in Information for Agricultural
Research for Development Initiative (CIARD) to gather and ensure effective dissemination of information.
• Establish and further enhance, in direct liaison with GFAR stakeholders and partner institutions, information and knowledge standards,
protocols and methodologies at international level ensuring that their needs are reflected.
• Manage the technical infrastructure of e-GFAR and related GFAR metadata repositories ensuring the adoption of standards and consistency in
GFAR information services.
• Administer and further develop the technical aspects of the CIARD Routemap to Information Nodes and Gateways (CIARD-RING).
• Develop/adopt methodologies and tools to access decentralized and distributed information sources in a consistent and efficient way.
• Support and coordinate the testing and implementation of new tools and software for information and knowledge management in order to
support GFAR stakeholders at the regional and national level.
• Prepare papers for and participate in international conferences and working groups on standards, information management and information
systems for the further development of information services.
• Perform other related duties as required.
* Appointment/Promotion to this position is for duration of assignment only
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Candidates should meet the following:
• University Degree or post-degree studies in Information Science/Technology, Computer Science, Library Sciences
• Five years of relevant experience in managing electronic information services and systems
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese, Russian
SELECTION CRITERIA
Candidates will be assessed against the following:
􀂃 Relevance of experience in manageing electronic information services and systems
􀂃 Proven contributions in exploring, adapting and applying new technologies and methodologies in knowledge and information management
􀂃 Depth of knowledge of and experience in information and knowledge management techniques and exchange systems using advanced web
technologies (Web 2, Semantic Web)
􀂃 Depth of knowledge of PHP and Java
􀂃 Extent of experience with website management and programming languages and preferably experience with the Content Management
Systems used by FAO-OEK (e.g. Drupal, Infoglue, Typo3)
􀂃 Extent of experience with representing and managing multilingual information
􀂃 Extent of experience with description languages (e.g XML, RDF)
􀂃 Creative thinking, initiative, high sense of responsibility, and ability to plan and organise work
􀂃 Demonstrated ability in analysing and evaluating complex technical issues
􀂃 Extent of both oral and written communication skills
Please note that all candidates should possess computer/word processing skills and should be capable of working with people of different national
and cultural backgrounds.
* The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the
extension of appointments
REMUNERATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances and benefits, click on the
following link: http://icsc.un.org/
TO APPLY: Carefully read and follow the Guidelines to applicants
Send your application to: V.A OEKD-660-11-PRJ
Executive Secretary, Global Forum on Agriculture Research (GFAR), OEKD
FAO Viale delle Terme di Caracalla 00153 Rome ITALY
Fax No: +39 06 57053898
E-mail: VA-660-11-PRJ-OEKD@fao.org
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.
FAO IS A NON-SMOKING ENVIRONMENT
ADM213e 06/10