The FAO Young Professional Officer opportunity in Plant Pest Management offers a two-year international career opportunity in Rome, Italy. Applicants with relevant postgraduate qualifications can apply by 30 October 2026.
Background & Job Description
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting applications for its Young Professional Officer (Transboundary Plant Pests Management) position in Rome, Italy.
The position is part of FAO’s Young Professionals Programme, which aims to help talented and qualified professionals, particularly nationals of underrepresented countries, begin careers as international civil servants.
The successful candidate will contribute to initiatives addressing transboundary plant pests and diseases through surveillance, early detection, forecasting, emergency planning and environmentally sound pest management.
The appointment is offered at the P-1 professional level for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of extension.
Job Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) |
| Opportunity | Young Professional Officer – Transboundary Plant Pests Management |
| Job reference | 2602093 |
| Grade | P-1 |
| Location | Rome, Italy |
| Contract type | Fixed-term staff position |
| Duration | Two years, with possibility of extension |
| Application deadline | 30 October 2026 |
| Salary | Competitive UN compensation and benefits; exact salary not specified |
| Official application | Jobs at FAO |
Tasks and Programme Benefits
The selected candidate will support FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Division in strengthening plant health systems and helping countries manage pests and diseases that cross national borders.
Responsibilities include supporting pest prevention and contingency plans, improving early-warning and monitoring systems, and contributing to national and regional pest-management strategies.
The role also involves analysing technical and environmental information, updating databases, supporting projects, preparing technical documents and contributing to training activities for national personnel involved in plant health and emergency management.
Additional duties may include helping assess the effects of pest-control treatments on human health and the environment and supporting the preparation of technical specifications for pest-surveillance and control equipment.
Salary and Benefits
FAO offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Depending on eligibility, benefits may include dependency allowances, rental subsidies, children’s education grants, home-leave travel, international health insurance and pension entitlements under the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund.
The vacancy does not state an exact salary amount, so applicants should consult the official UN compensation information for further details.
Qualifications and Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Hold an advanced university degree, such as a master’s degree or equivalent, in agriculture, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, plant protection or a related field.
- Have at least one year of relevant professional experience in plant pest management or a related area.
- Have professional-level English proficiency and intermediate proficiency in another official FAO language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish.
- Be 32 years of age or younger as of 31 December 2026, according to the vacancy’s Young Professionals Programme requirements.
Additional Skills
FAO considers relevant experience in plant health, pest management, technical data collection and analysis, scientific writing, editing and organising workshops beneficial.
Experience working in different locations, particularly in field positions, is also desirable. Knowledge of an additional FAO official language at a professional level may be an advantage.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply?
FAO’s Young Professionals Programme primarily targets talented professionals from non- and underrepresented countries. Priority consideration is given to candidates from Small Island Developing States, Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and developing countries more broadly.
Qualified female applicants, nationals of underrepresented member countries and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Additional Information
Applications for the FAO Young Professional Officer position are scheduled to close on 30 October 2026. The vacancy lists the closure time as 12:59 a.m., based on the personal device’s date and time settings, so applicants should verify the deadline in the official recruitment portal.
How to Apply
- Visit the official FAO recruitment website.
- Create or complete your online candidate profile.
- Include accurate employment history, academic qualifications and language skills.
- Attach a motivation letter.
- Review your application and submit it through the official recruitment portal before the deadline.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. FAO may conduct reference and background checks as part of its recruitment process.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the FAO Young Professional Officer opportunity?
It is a professional staff position supporting the management of transboundary plant pests and diseases through plant-health projects, technical analysis and capacity development.
2. Where is the position based?
The position is based at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
3. How long is the contract?
The initial appointment is for two years, with the possibility of extension subject to performance, applicable policies and funding availability.
4. What qualifications are required?
Applicants need a master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, plant protection or a related field, alongside at least one year of relevant experience.
5. What language skills are required?
Professional-level English and intermediate proficiency in another official FAO language are required. These languages are Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish.
6. Is there an age limit?
Yes. The vacancy states that candidates should be 32 years old or younger as of 31 December 2026.
7. What salary does FAO offer?
The vacancy advertises a competitive UN compensation and benefits package but does not specify an exact salary. Additional benefits depend on eligibility.
8. When is the application deadline?
The advertised closing date is 30 October 2026. Applicants should confirm the exact cutoff time on the recruitment portal.
9. How do I apply?
Complete your profile, attach a motivation letter and submit the application through the official FAO recruitment website.
Opportunities Feed Assessment
This FAO opportunity may appeal to early-career professionals specialising in agriculture, entomology, plant pathology and plant protection who want international experience in sustainable agriculture and plant-health management.
The postgraduate qualification, relevant experience, language requirements and age limit are important eligibility conditions to verify before applying.
Disclaimer: Opportunities Feed shares career and education opportunities for informational purposes. It is not affiliated with FAO and does not recruit on the organisation’s behalf. Applicants should confirm all requirements and application details through the official recruitment portal.
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