Senior Coordinator (Governance and Policy Support)

Organizational Setting

The Governance and Policy Support Unit provides overall corporate leadership in the technical area of Governance analysis, and leads the Complements (Governance, Institutions and Human Capital) Accelerator in the new Strategic Framework.

The unit coordinates technical networks in governance and policy support, and curates the FAO Governance and Policy Gateway, a searchable, continuously updated Internet portal providing comprehensive external access to the whole of FAO policy resources.

As a head of the unit, the Senior Coordinator (Governance and Policy Support) leads the Governance work of the Organization, provides advisory and coordination support to units at headquarters, Regional and Subregional Offices, and at country level, and provides advice to senior management on issues of FAO Corporate Governance, including relations with the United Nations (UN) system, reform of the UN policy role, and policy support aspects of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-2031.

The Senior Coordinator (Governance and Policy Support) will work in close collaboration with the Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG) and the Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU) on global governance matters pertaining to FAO's engagement in the wider UN System. The Senior Coordinator (Governance and Policy Support) will also oversee global coordination of FAO flagship initiatives. In this capacity, the Senior Coordinator (Governance and Policy Support) has the lead responsibility for the Programme Priority Areas (PPAs) to be assigned by the Chief Economist and the governance component of the Complements Accelerator within the new FAO Strategic Framework.

The position is located in the Governance and Policy Support Unit at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Senior Coordinator reports to the Chief Economist.

Technical Focus

Coordination of cross-organizational corporate undertakings to improve the quality and impact of economic social policy, and support for governance analysis in areas of FAO mandates, and development of corporate technical and applied analysis of governance issues.

Key Results

Advice and technical expertise provided to the Division Director for the planning, development and implementation of programmes of work, projects, and related services in accordance with the FAO Strategic Framework to ensure smooth operation of the Division.

Key Functions

• Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties, identifies and initiates follow-up actions.

• Coordinates programmes and reviews the assessments of issues and trends for the implementation of programmes and projects and the preparation of impact evaluation or equivalent studies.

• Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analyses, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.

• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, as well as conferences, to include proposing agenda topics identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations.

• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops and seminars, and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.

• Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties.

• Represents the Organization at international meetings and conferences, identifies and implements strategic partnerships, advocates best practices and increased dialogue and develops and negotiates effective working relationships/consensus and agreements with international and national stakeholders.

Specific Functions

• Leads, in close consultation with the Chief Economist and FAO senior managers, day-to-day development of the governance component in Complements Accelerator, and PPA assigned by the Chief Economist, supporting the FAO Strategic Framework implementation, and leads the technical programme of work of the Governance and Policy Support Unit, focusing particularly on developing improved systems for programme delivery, monitoring and performance management.

• Oversees development of FAO work in Governance, resource mobilization and programmatic achievements and impact on country progress toward attaining governance and policy-related national targets for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs and for ensuring full compliance with FAO rules and procedures as well as timely completion of deliverables and achievement of FAO programmatic objectives.

• Coordinates internal (interdivisional) and, where applicable, external (interagency) inputs for the preparation of FAO governance and policy briefings and reports for the UN Secretary-General, the FAO Director-General and other interlocutors as requested.

• Prepares speaking points, speeches, inputs and background briefings for the Director-General, Chief Economist and others, as requested, on issues of UN joint policy work.

• Provides leadership, guidance and mentorship to develop the Governance and Policy Support team and its technical programme of work.

• Promotes, facilitates and disseminates innovation in FAO's approach to governance and policy support issues at all levels.

• Seeks talented and innovative partners to make FAO a global centre of excellence for food and agriculture governance.
  
  

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, agricultural economics, international development, public management, social sciences, or a related field.

• Ten years of relevant experience in policy analysis and advice, including experience in developing country contexts, with demonstrated capacity for leading significant policy change.

• Working knowledge (proficiency - level C) of English and intermediate knowledge (intermediate proficiency - level B) of another FAO official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish).

Competencies

• Results Focus

• Leading, Engaging and Empowering

• Communication

• Partnering and Advocating

• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

Technical/Functional Skills

• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is essential.

• Extent and relevance of experience in programme coordination.

• Extent and relevance of experience in supporting a corporate/divisional level executive management within an intergovernmental organization.

• Knowledge of results-based management methods and experience in their application.

• Extent and relevance of experience in governance and policy analysis, including, global issues, institutions and governance processes relevant to food security and nutrition.

• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and conduct governance and policy analysis and programme development.

• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in trade/finance/investment issues, including issues of international trade, market regulation and structure would be an asset.

• Extent and relevance of academic qualifications (PhD in a relevant field is considered an asset).