Posted on Tue, 15 Jun 2021, 20:48

Deadline on Sun, 15 Aug 2021, 23:55

The International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) Secretariat is soliciting:

• Nominations for appropriately qualified experts to take part in a virtual Working Group (WG) to develop the Guide on Contingency Planning (2019-012)
• Submissions of any existing relevant materials on Contingency Planning.
• In-kind contributions such as photographs, videos, and existing e-learning materials to support the development of the above described resource(s)

Deadline: Nominations and Submissions are due 15 August 2021

1. Description of the e-Learning course:

According to the IPPC, the NPPO is responsible for the protection of endangered areas and the designation, maintenance and surveillance of pest free areas and areas of low pest prevalence (Article IV 2, e).

Although many NPPOs and RPPOs develop contingency plans to address pest incursions and outbreaks, there are currently no IPPC implementation resources to guide Contracting Parties and relevant stakeholders in establishing emergency response plans. The 2018 Framework for Standards and Implementation identifies “contingency planning and emergency response” as a priority, and suggests that guidelines for the development of contingency plans are needed. In addition, the IPPC Strategic Framework 2020-2030 identifies the development of a Guide and other tools for contingency planning as a priority activity in the Development Area “Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems”.

The purpose of this guide on Contingency Planning is to provide a harmonized generic outline of what NPPOs and RPPOs in collaboration with relevant stakeholders need to do to identify, eradicate, contain or manage a pest incursion or outbreak.

This guide will be developed under the auspices of the IPPC Secretariat, under the oversight of the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee (IC). Funding is provided partially by the FAO “Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) Trade Facilitation Programme (GCP/INT/387/COM)”.

2. Instructions for making nominations

Nominations will be accepted from contracting parties, national or regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs or RPPOs) and international entities.

A nomination should only be made if the nominee has agreed to his/her nomination and can allocate appropriate time to the task and a signed Statement of Commitment is required to verify this commitment.

Each nomination must be accompanied by the following documentation, available on this webpage:

1. Completed Nominee details and summary of expertise form - All sections should be completed, including contact details, education and professional training. A clear description of the nominee’s expertise is required. MS Word version of the document is preferred. The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_Summary.

2. Completed and signed Statement of Commitment - this should be read carefully by each nominee and discussed between the nominee and their employer. The form should then be signed by the nominee and a senior person in authority from the organization that employs the nominee and submitted with the nomination (as a file such as PDF). The file should be named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_commitment.

3. The nominee’s Curriculum Vitae (CV) – electronic copy of the nominee’s CV (only as a word processing file such as MS Word) with the file named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_CV. MS Word version of the document is preferred.

All the submissions should be sent to the IPPC Secretariat by e-mail ([email protected]) no later than 15 August 2021 and include “Guide on Contingency Planning” in the subject line.

3. Working virtually to develop the guide:

As international travel is restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this guide will be developed virtually and no face-to-face meeting is currently planned. It is therefore critical that WG experts have access to reliable internet and appropriate tools for participating in virtual meetings and document reviews. Experts will be tasked with drafting and reviewing chapters. Documents will be shared and reviewed electronically. WG activities are expected to represent an average of 1-2 days of work per month and to continue for approximately 9 months.

The first virtual meeting of the WG is tentatively planned for mid-September. Additional virtual meetings will be organized as needed. The start time of the meetings will be selected to minimize the impact on participants and may be rotated so the same people are not inconvenienced every time.

4. Specific Practical Expertise Requested

A WG will be formed to help develop this guide and should be composed of experts with relevant technical and practical expertise in developing and implementing contingency plans and emergency responses.

Experts will also be selected based on geographical representation from both developing and developed countries to help ensure that the material developed is globally applicable and reflects best practices from all over the world. The IPPC Secretariat and the Implementation and Capacity Development Committee support equity, diversity, and inclusiveness and encourage all interested experts to submit their candidature.

The following criteria should be used for selecting WG experts:

Practical expertise and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

(1) Practical expertise and knowledge in one or more of the following areas:

• Development and implementing contingency plans and emergency responses
• Carrying out pest surveillance activities
• Pest diagnostics
• Pest eradication strategies
• Pest simulation exercises
• Risk communication

(2) Knowledge of the national, regional and global phytosanitary systems

Additional information   

• Information on Common Market for Southern and Eastern Africa (COMESA) Trade Facilitation Programme (GCP/INT/387/COM): https://www.ippc.int/en/core-activities/capacity-development/projects-on-implementation-and-capacity-development/comesa-trade-facilitation-programme/

For further information: Please contact Ms Sarah Brunel by email ([email protected]).