National Pesticides Management Specialist

Organizational Setting

The Government of the Republic of Serbia, with technical assistance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is implementing the project GCP/SRB/010/EC "EU for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development – pesticides (Enhanced national capacities for sound management of pesticides in the Republic of Serbia)." The project supports the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management in aligning national policies and legislation on pesticide management with the EU acquis and the European Green Deal. Activities focus on strengthening institutional capacities, developing legal and technical frameworks for the lifecycle management of pesticides, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. The project aims to enhance food safety, environmental protection, and rural development in Serbia through improved regulatory systems, capacity building, and stakeholder engagement.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall responsibility of the de facto Head of Office, and the administrative supervision of the Budget Holder/Field Programme Officer and the Project Manager, the National Consultant on pesticides management will work under the technical guidance of the Lead Technical Officer (LTO) at FAO REU, and report directly to the National Programme Coordinator in Serbia.

Technical Focus

The National Pesticides Management Specialist will support the FAO Representation in Serbia in the implementation and coordination of activities under the FAO project GCP/SRB/010/EC, focusing on a comprehensive review and gap analysis of national pesticides registration system and institutional arrangements related to pesticide life-cycle management to support activities relate to assessments and improvement of various areas of pesticides management system.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Review of the existing national practices and technical systems related to pesticide use, registration, and monitoring, with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), professional user training, and pesticide application equipment. 

•    Provide technical inputs and develop assessment of the pesticide registration and monitoring system (Act. 1.5), including data on use patterns, enforcement practices, and integration with advisory services. 

•    Contribute to the design of the electronic pesticide registration and monitoring database (Act. 1.6), ensuring it meets technical requirements for user-friendliness, data accuracy, and EU alignment. 

•    Assist in the preparation of updated curricula, training materials, and manuals for professional pesticide users, inspectors, evaluators, and advisory staff (Acts & 2.5). 

•    Support the assessment of the Pesticide Spraying Calibration Centre and prepare roadmap for its improvement.

•    Provide any other support needed for the effective implementation of the project.

•    Prepare a final report summarizing technical inputs, lessons learned, and recommendations for strengthening pesticide management in Serbia.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in agronomy, chemistry, plant protection, life sciences or any related subject  

•    At least 7 years of relevant experience in pesticide management focus on pesticide registration system, 

•    Understanding of international standards and requirements in relation of pesticides lifecycle management and relevant EU regulations

•    Working knowledge of Serbian and English, 

•    National of Serbia

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus

•    Teamwork

•    Communication

•    Building Effective Relationships

•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement