Subregional Coordinator for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representative in Senegal

• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, background and culture
• Qualified female applicants, qualified nationals of non-and under-represented Members and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply
• Everyone who works for FAO is required to adhere to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct, and to uphold FAO's values
• FAO, as a Specialized Agency of the United Nations, has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct that is incompatible with its status, objectives and mandate, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination　　
• All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• FAO staff are subject to the authority of the Director-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the Organization.

FAO’s commitment to environmental sustainability is integral to our strategic objectives and operations.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Organizational Setting

The Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representation in Senegal is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing agreed strategies and projects for transforming food, agriculture and rural development. It also develops and maintains relations with subregion-wide institutions.

The Subregional Office is a subsidiary of the FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF).
The position is located in the FAO Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) in Dakar, Senegal.

Reporting Lines

The Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representation in Senegal works under the guidance of and reports to the Assistant Director-General/ Regional Representative (ADG/RR), Regional Office for Africa (RAF).

Summary of Duties and Function

The Subregional Coordinator for West Africa (SFW) and FAO Representative in Senegal leads the multidisciplinary technical teams in the subregion as well as in the Country Office. He/she leads FAO's response to subregional priorities in line with FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-31 and is accountable for FAO activities in the subregion. He/she represents FAO in the country of assignment. He/she supports the ADG/RR in his/her capacity as an accountable member of the regional United Nations Development Group (UNDG) team as defined in the 'Management and Accountability System of the United Nations Development and the Resident Coordinator System'.
The Subregional Coordinator for West Africa (SFW) also serves as the FAO Representative to the host country as well as to other countries in the subregion where FAO has no Representatives or Representations, to promote FAO’s support to the national priorities.
He/she contributes to the preparation of the Country Programming Frameworks (CPFs) for the FAO Members in the Subregion and ensures effective collaboration with subregional economic integration organizations, UN-system entities at the subregional and national levels as well as other subregional institutions and media.

In particular, he/she will be responsible for the following\:
• Oversight of FAO strategic planning and programme development in the Subregion and in the country of representation\:
o lead the analysis and dialogue on subregional priorities and the development of subregional and country strategies;
o advise and collaborate with internal partners to raise awareness of subregional and country priorities and needs, and ensure that they are reflected in corporate, regional and country policies;
o ensure the provision of timely technical support to the FAO components of the UN common planning and programming frameworks (e.g. United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework [UNSDCF], Consolidated Appeals Process [CAP], Flash Appeals, etc.), the Country Programming Framework (CPF) for all countries in the Subregion and related FAO programmes, projects and/or other activities;
o lead country and subregional mobilization of extrabudgetary resources, making optimum use of the expertise available in the Decentralized Offices.

• Programme implementation and monitoring\:
o support Member countries in the Subregion to address food insecurity, malnutrition, hunger and inequalities by working together with institutional partners in the Subregion, in accordance with agreed priorities, approved programme/workplans/budgets, strategic objectives and corporate policies;
o coordinate and ensure timely and appropriate technical backstopping to FAO programmes and projects in the country and Subregion in close collaboration with FAO technical Divisions and Units, and in line with corporate norms, standards and procedures;
o undertake regular reporting and monitoring on subregional programmes.

• Leadership on knowledge management\:
o support and, where relevant, lead the country and subregional policy dialogues on areas of FAO’s mandate;
o facilitate timely access by country and subregional stakeholders to FAO’s knowledge resources and global public goods, and knowledge sharing within and beyond the Subregion;
o act as the spokesperson of FAO in the country and Subregion and communicate FAO programme and impacts to partners, media, and other stakeholders.

• Management of human and financial resources\:
o lead and manage the country and Subregional Office and ensure effective and efficient use of human and financial resources in line with corporate policies and administrative procedures;
o manage all matters related to the security and safety of FAO personnel and their eligible dependents and ensure full adherence to the UN Security Policy, rules and regulations, as well as to security-related instructions issued by FAO;
o contribute to strategic leadership and management decisions on FAO’s work in West Africa as a member of RAF’s Core Leadership Team.

• Contacts/Partnerships\:
o support the effective establishment of partnerships and collaborations with governments, donors, civil society, Academia, private sector, NGOs, UN system organizations and other international organizations;
o advocate FAO’s policy positions in the relevant national and subregional fora, represent FAO in the media, and implement a pro-active communications strategy to raise awareness about FAO with the general public;
o support the UN joint communication efforts at the subregional level and speaking with “one voice”.

• Perform other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements

• Advanced University degree in a technical area related to the work of the Organization.
• Minimum of twelve years (12) of relevant experience in programme development and management in fields related to the mandate of FAO, including at the international level.
• Demonstrated professional competence, proven leadership capability and effective management skills.
• Extensive experience in partnership with inter-governmental and international organizations, national governments, technical and donor partners, private sector, civil society organizations, youth and women organizations, farmer associations, etc.
• Ability to lead and work effectively with a diverse team of people of different national and cultural backgrounds in an international setting.
• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and French.

Leadership Competencies
Results focus\: Takes accountability for the delivery of agreed results in service of FAO’s strategic framework - Leading, engaging and empowering others\: Coordinates, directs, facilitates and recognizes team efforts; creates an enabling environment and assists others to realize and develop their potential - Communication\: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication - Partnering and Advocating\: Promotes ideas and develops partnerships to advance the Organization’s work - Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement\: Continually seeks to improve the knowledge, skills and work processes of oneself and others - Strategic thinking\: Makes informed and coherent decisions aligned with broader goals and strategies.