The Global Forum on Agricultural Research is seeking qualified applicants for two new project positions in the GFAR Secretariat, based in Rome:

1. Senior Officer, Agricultural Innovation and Society (P5 grade)

2. Information Systems Specialist (P3 grade)

These challenging and exciting positions were created to increase the capacity of the Secretariat in these key areas, to enhance the programmes of GFAR and to support the transformation and strengthening of agricultural research for development systems around the world, as laid out in the GCARD Roadmap.

Full post descriptions and details of how to apply can be found in the attached website:
http://www.fao.org/employment/project-vacancies/en/ 

The deadline for applications to either position is 9 May 2011.

Building the CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing: e-consultation
In 2011, CIARD is addressing the topic of sharing and interoperability of data and information for agricultural research for development.

There will be an international Expert Consultation in Beijing from 20 to 23 June 2011 with the title "Building the CIARD Framework for Data and Information Sharing".

1. ICAR invites all Indian NARIs and universities to join CIARD 

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has formally invited all ICAR Institutes and all Universities to join the “Coherence in Information for Agricultural Research for Development” (CIARD) initiative (http://www.ciard.net) and register their services in the CIARD RING (http://ring.ciard.net). 

This decision follows a specific recommendation formulated in a meeting on “Information and Communication Technology” held at ICAR in November 2010 under the Chairmanship of Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and DG of ICAR. The recommendation stated that “All ICAR institutes and SAUs should be linked to CIARD”. 

This is a big step forward in making the CIARD agenda officially endorsed at the national level. 

2. Chinese versions of the CIARD and CIARD RING websites coming soon
 

The multi-stakeholder constituencies of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) have prioritized the issue of agro-biodiversity as one of prime global importance. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources in Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) recognizes the importance of agricultural research and contains special provisions for the exchange of information, transfer of technology and capacity building related to plant genetic resources.

The work of GFAR and the ITPGRFA converge in the need to expand varietal conservation, exchange and use, and the fair sharing of benefits, to include a wide range of species that have huge local significance and in many cases global market potential. Both GFAR and ITPGRFA are keen to facilitate greater collaboration and synergies among the many programmes addressing these crops, a view that has been echoed through discussion with all those concerned about the future of these species.

Over recent years, regional initiatives and multi-partner international actions related to the International Year of Biodiversity have highlighted these links. There is a strong desire for collaborative action in and between regions in order to achieve development impact at scale. Examples are the biodiversity conservation and use frameworks now articulated for Africa and Asia.