Calls for nominations for CPM Focus Groups

Once the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM) approves the terms of reference for its Focus Groups, the call for nominations is published on the IPPC website to allow contracting parties and regional plant protection organizations (RPPOs) to nominate their representatives to be part of the Focus Groups.

The IPPC Secretariat reviews the nominations and submits them to the CPM Bureau for selection assuring gender and geographical balance. The Bureau should endeavor to select one nominee from each FAO region as the regional representative in the Focus Group, aiming to cover as many areas as possible.

Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented member nations, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Scroll down to see the current calls.

2025-05 - CALL FOR EXPERTS FOR THE CPM FOCUS GROUP ON DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORY NETWORKING

Deadline on Day, 15 July 2025

The IPPC Secretariat is soliciting nominations for appropriately qualified experts to participate in the CPM Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking, with deadline on 15 July 2025.

1. BACKGROUND

The purpose of the Focus Group is to support the objectives of the IPPC strategic framework 2030 to enhance global food security and protect the environment from the impacts of plant pests. Established in March 2023 (CPM-17) and with the subsequent adoption of its Terms of Reference by CPM-18 (2024), the Focus Group was further extended by the Nineteenth Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-19, 2025) until CPM-22 (2028). More information about the focus group can be found in the CPM-19 document CPM 2025/28.

Experts are now being called to join the Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking. It is important to note that a one-week face to face meeting is tentatively planned for 13 – 17 October 2025 (venue TBC). Candidates are kindly requested to ensure availability to attend this meeting. Moreover, appropriate time allocation to participate throughout the mandate of the focus group via virtual mode is also required.

Participants should have a good internet connection and access to virtual meetings devices. The meetings are held in English only.

2. SPECIFIC EXPERTISE REQUIRED

The Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking members should have an understanding of IPPC’s mandate and activities, as well as collective experience and expertise on the following:

• The operation and functioning of plant health diagnostic laboratories and procedures:

1. application of logical frameworks in project development or management
2. in multilateral agreements
3. in capacity development in project management, stakeholders’ engagement and training.

• Expertise in laboratory network, experience in diagnostic laboratory for plant pests, plant pathology, entomology, and including morphological or molecular pest detection and identification.
• Extent and relevance of experience in survey designs, concept notes and project management.
• Development and use of international and regional standards for phytosanitary measures.
• Use of ISPM 27. (Diagnostic protocols for regulated pests).
• Experience in working within or establishing multi-lateral cooperative arrangements.

3. THE SELECTION PROCESS

The IPPC Secretariat will review the nominations, and all the completed ones will be presented to the CPM Bureau for their selection and endorsement. The selected experts will be contacted by the IPPC Secretariat.

4. TASKS

The CPM-18 (2024) agreed that the tasks for the Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking would be:

(1) Identify and review existing material and experiences on the topic.

(2) Review the analysis undertaken by an International Consultant and subsequently define the scope of the IPPC laboratory diagnostic networking, either global or regionals.

(3) Discuss and agree on the components necessary for an efficient and effective IPPC laboratory diagnostic network, considering the regional differences.

(4) Discuss and agree on approaches to maintain an IPPC laboratory diagnostic network including aspects on timely diagnosis of samples and communication of results.

(5) Examine the practicalities needed for such a system including legal frameworks, confidentiality, and liability issues for the FAO, the laboratory conducting the testing and the NPPO submitting the samples.

(6) Establish broad criteria for a laboratory to be considered for inclusion in the framework of the programme “IPPC laboratory diagnostic networking”.

(7) Consider the creation, scope and utility of database(s) for several aspects that involve laboratory pest diagnostic network information.

(8) Evaluate the needs and potential role of the RPPOs in an IPPC laboratory diagnostic network and make recommendations accordingly.

(9) Liaise with IPPC Technical Panel on Diagnostic Protocols (TPDP) as appropriate.

(10) Liaise with the CPM Focus Groups on Pest Outbreak Alert and Response Systems and the Phytosanitary Research Coordination as appropriate.

(11) Estimate, to the best extent possible, the resources required to establish and operate an IPPC laboratory diagnostic network, including sustainable funding mechanisms for the long term.

(12) Develop an action plan for the establishment and maintenance of an IPPC laboratory diagnostic network with clear scope, KPIs, timeline, and expected resources to be allocated for adoption by CPM-20 (2026).

(13) Propose a scope, with clear rules of procedures, and draft action plan, which takes into account comments received from the Bureau, SPG, TC-RPPOs to the CPM-19 (2025) for consideration

Online Submissions

Link to Online Submissions

These online submission forms have been created to facilitate the submission process. They also allow you to work with them offline. After completing the form, a confirmation email will be sent to the specified email address with the completed form attached.

Nominations will be accepted from contracting parties, national or regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs or RPPOs) through their respective NPPO or RPPO IPPC Official Contact Point. Self-nominations should be supported by an accompanying letter from the respective IPPC Official Contact Point. A nomination should only be made if the nominee has agreed to their nomination, is available for the meeting dates as posted on the IPPC Calendar and can allocate appropriate time to the tasks outlined in the Statement of Commitment.

Please also note that some of the fields on the form have data verification (please avoid using spaces in front or at the end in the following fields):

Email address of the IPPC Official Contact Point or RPPO - please provide the email address. Make sure that your email address is correct, as you will receive an automated email receipt confirmation from the IPPC Secretariat once you have submitted your nomination.

• Nominee's first name - please capitalize your first name. Examples: Anna, Muhammad
• Nominee's last name - please capitalize your last name. Examples: Laurie, Kimura
• Nominee's email address - please provide the correct email address of the nominee. They will also receive a confirmation to that email address. Example: [email protected]
• Nominee's mobile number - please provide a telephone number where the Secretariat can reach the nominee as needed. Please use a "+" in front of the number and not use parentheses. Example: +391234567890. The calling code of your county can be found here: https://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/international-calling-codes.htm

In total, the online submission form will be composed of the following documents:

1. Completed nominee details and summary of expertise online form (the forms are enclosed for ease of reference);
2. Completed and signed Statement of Commitment form – 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. The form should be submitted with the nomination (as a scanned image file such as a 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 with the file named as follows: COUNTRY_SURNAME_Firstname_CV.

Nominations by e-mail

Nominations will be accepted from contracting parties, national or regional plant protection organizations (NPPOs or RPPOs) through their respective NPPO or RPPO official IPPC Contact Point and self-nominations should be supported by an accompanying letter from the respective IPPC contact point.

Submissions should be sent to the IPPC Secretariat by e-mail [email protected] with copy to [email protected] and [email protected] no later than 15 July 2025. The name of the nominating country or RPPO and the words “Call for Experts for CPM Focus Group on Diagnostic Laboratory Networking” should be placed in the subject line of the email message.

For further information: Please contact by email [email protected] or [email protected]. Nominations are due 15 July 2025.

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