Scientific Officer at EPPO (P1) working on Diagnostics

Ref: P1DIAG
Grade: P1/1 (UN classification)
Location: Paris, France
Estimated net salary: 48K eur / year
Type of contract: Fixed Term
Full time: 100%
Duration of contract: 11 months, starting 1st of September 2024
Deadline: 2024-05-10 23:59:59 (Paris time)

EPPO is recruiting a full time Scientific Officer. The appointment will be for a fixed term of 11 months. The post will be based in Paris. The salary will be based on the UNESCO P1 salary scale.  

Introduction to EPPO

The European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization (EPPO) is an intergovernmental organization responsible for international cooperation in plant protection in the European and Mediterranean region. In the sense of the article IX of the FAO International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), it is the Regional Plant Protection Organization for Europe. Founded in 1951 with 15 member governments, it now has 52 member governments including nearly every country of Western and Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean region. The organization work on two main areas, Plant Protection Products and Phytosanitary Regulations. EPPO is also hosting two networks: Euphresco (research coordination) and the European Minor Uses Coordination Facility.
EPPO is financed directly by annual contributions from its member governments and activities are administered by the EPPO Secretariat. The EPPO Secretariat is based in Paris and consists of an international team of 22 persons including scientific officers, IT officers and administrative staff headed by a Director-General and an Assistant Director. Its official languages are English, French and for certain purposes Russian.
In the field of phytosanitary regulations, EPPO develops Standards (Diagnostic Protocols) for the detection and identification of pests recommended for regulation in the EPPO region. More than 150 Diagnostic Protocols have been published. The Diagnostic Protocols are developed by group of experts and are reviewed by Panels covering the various disciplines (bacteriology, entomology, mycology, nematology, virology, phytoplasmology and quality assurance).

Main tasks of the scientific officer in the Diagnostic work area:

• To support EPPO’s work on Diagnostics in collaboration with the Scientific Officers from the Diagnostic Team and under the responsibility of the EPPO Assistant Director.
• To collaborate with experts on the development of Standards:
  • Provide templates and protocols
  • Contact drafting team and set up meetings
  • Set up and follow up deadlines
  • Review and update drafts submitted by drafting team to prepare final drafts for expert or Panel meetings or country consultation
• To follow up of the country consultation process
• To support the organization of meetings of Panels, Expert Working Groups (prepare documents and presentations).
• To follow scientific discussions and take notes during meetings, and to produce detailed reports of meetings, as required.
• To support the organization of workshops related to EPPO’s work on Diagnostics.
• Perform other duties as required.

Essential skills and qualifications:

• Advanced degree in plant health, agronomy or related fields (Bsc).
• Knowledge of methods for the diagnosis of pests.
• Experience/knowledge in the following domains would be a plus:
  • Experience in standard setting.
  • Experience in the detection and identification of bacteria, viruses, fungi, nematodes, insects.
  • Knowledge of international phytosanitary regulation.
  • Knowledge of quality assurance and validation of diagnostic tests
• Ability to communicate effectively with relevant experts. 
• Open-minded and able to work with a wide variety of people from different backgrounds and countries.
• Ability to work as a team, for communication and reporting.
• Organized, having attention to detail and able to work on different activities in parallel and manage deadlines.
• Excellent in English, speaking and writing skills.

The Scientific Officer will be based in the EPPO Headquarter in Paris.

Salary and benefits

The salary paid will be based on the UNESCO P1 salary scale. Net of tax and deductions this will be at least 48 500 EUR per annum. EPPO participates in the UN Joint Staff Pension Fund, the French Social Security system and a supplementary health insurance scheme.
Alternatively, fulfilling this post as a secondment from your current employer is also possible, depending on agreement of your employer and the possibility to reach an agreement between your employer and EPPO.
Based on the agreement between EPPO and the French government, EPPO will arrange a work permit for the post, if needed, and a permit allowing dependents to reside in France, if applicable, and needed. Some flexibility for working from home is available.

Application procedure

Please register by following the link below and provide a cover letter, a Curriculum Vitae and referee names. Applications should be submitted by 2024-05-10 23:59:59 (Paris time).
All application documents should be written in English and provided as separate files. As a first step, interviews will be organized by videoconference in June 2024. Then shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in Paris to perform written and oral exercises, in June 2024.

Contact for further information

If you would like an informal discussion on the nature or conditions of the post before considering whether to apply, please use the online contact form https://jobs.eppo.int/contact to arrange a conversation with Valerie Grimault, EPPO Assistant Director, who is leading the Diagnostic work area of EPPO.