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- 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 person 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’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 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 Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO’s response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO’s priority activities in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities.
In response to the growing demand for seizing the opportunities brought by digital technologies, FAO REU established its specialized team for Digital Agriculture in 2020. With a mission to act as a catalyzer for the digital transformation of agriculture across Europe and Central Asia, the team provides critical capabilities to country offices, technical units, and Members, while leading the implementation of key initiatives, such as the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI), the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiH) and the AgriTech Observatory. In 2023, the team was recognized with the “One FAO Team Award”.
Reporting Lines
The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Leader.
Technical Focus
The incumbent will contribute to the implementation of the FAO Strategic Framework linked to the Technology and Innovation Accelerators, the Digital Agriculture, Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture Production, and Hand-in-Hand Programme Priority Areas
Tasks and responsibilities
• Lead and manage the digital agriculture programme of work in the region and the project portfolio including technical supervision of projects, respective reporting and monitoring;
• Develop and oversee the application analytical frameworks, methodologies and diagnostic tools to assess digital agriculture readiness and innovation systems and provide evidence-based technical and policy recommendations to Members.
• Oversee and technically supervise the digital agriculture programme across the region and lead the implementation of the Digital Villages Initiative (DVI) and Hand-in-Hand initiative (HiH) in the region, ensuring successful delivery in the programme countries and promoting REU’s efforts in the field through outreach and communications;
• Lead the embedding of digitalization of agriculture in the regional priority programmes, and Country Programme Frameworks (CPF) ensuring synergies and leveraging other cross-RPPs such as youth and gender;
• Support the implementation of the Science and Innovation strategy by mainstreaming innovation and technology across the region;
• Provide senior-level technical expertise as Lead Technical Officer in multiple FAO projects, including the large-scale multi-partner projects in Albania and Serbia, as well as numerous technical cooperation projects throughout the region;
• Lead strategic partnerships on digital transformation with organizations such as ITU, UNDP, World Tourism Organization as well as scope opportunities for partnership with the private sector; and represent REU at high-level forums and events, including in the UN digital transformation group for Europe and Central Asia;
• Lead the outreach, dissemination and capacity development events on digital agriculture and actively seek opportunities for promoting FAO’s work in digital agriculture, innovation and Hand-in-Hand;
• Strategically allocate programme resources, ensuring optimal utilization of personnel, budget, and technological assets to achieve programme goals;
• Lead opportunities for resource mobilization to grow the regional digitalization, innovation and HiH investment portfolio;
• Provide expert technical inputs and or supervise REU publications related to digital agriculture in English and Russian, and lead outreach events, actively seeking opportunities to promote FAO’s work.
FAO Standards and guidelines:
o Liaison with OCC will be maintained, either directly or through an agreed focal point/coordinator, to ensure compliance with OCC standards, aligned messaging, and appropriate review and clearance processes.
o All communication materials will follow FAO clearance processes and comply with FAO standards, including:
FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31: https://www.fao.org/strategic-framework/en
FAO social media policy and guidelines: https://www.fao.org/2/socialmedia
Social Media Branding Guidelines: https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb5044en FAOSTYLE https://openknowledge.fao.org/handle/20.500.14283/cb8081en
FAO terminology http://www.fao.org/faoterm
FAO Names Of Countries https://www.fao.org/nocs/en
Story guidelines, Story template, UN map standards, FAO logo policy and related branding guidelines (available to staff).
o Further guidance regarding FAO communications, policies and procedures can be found through the FAO intranet, OCC section
• Lead the preparation of the technical background documents and organize respective panels for governing body meetings such as the 44th Session of the European Commission in Agriculture as well as the 35th Session of the European Regional Conference.
• Manage the REU Digital Agriculture Team and identify gaps of expertise required and initialize mentoring and coaching of staff as well as mentoring and supervise national consultants and respective NSHR in REU/country offices
• Scale the FAO AgriTech Observatory as a platform for data-driven insights and knowledge dissemination
• Perform other related duties as required in support of the Regional Office’s mandate.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced university degree from an institution recognized by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/UNESCO in Agricultural Science, Economics, Computer Science or any other discipline relevant to the work of the Organization. Consultants with bachelor's degree need two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in digital agriculture, Information Technology (IT), project management, innovation, research and analysis, or related fields.
• Working knowledge (Level C) of English and intermediary knowledge (Level B) of a second FAO language.
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Strong applied knowledge of digital technologies, tools, and platforms relevant to agriculture, rural development, and food systems.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct digital agriculture assessments, as well as research and analysis related to digital agriculture.
• Strong skills in drafting national strategies and action plans related to the digitalization of agriculture.
• Ability to work with farmers and rural communities to identify their needs and challenges and design solutions and training programmes to meet those needs.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical digital agriculture projects.
• People management
Selection Criteria
• Experience in technical and functional skills related to the position
• Working knowledge (Proficient, Level C) of English.
• Proficiency in using MS Office suite, namely Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving skills. Strong time-management skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently
Please note that all candidates should adhere to FAO Values of Commitment to FAO, Respect for All and Integrity and Transparency
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- FAO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing)
- Please note that FAO will only consider academic credentials or degrees obtained from an educational institution recognized in the IAU/UNESCO list
- Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/
- For more information, visit the FAO employment website
- Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.
HOW TO APPLY
• To apply, visit the recruitment website at Jobs at FAO and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to attach a letter of motivation to the online profile
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please note that FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at http://www.whed.net/. These qualifications should be in alignment with the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) mappings.
• Candidates may be requested to provide performance assessments and authorization to conduct verification checks of past and present work, character, education, military and police records to ascertain any and all information which may be pertinent to the employment qualifications
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Personal information provided on your application may be shared within FAO and with other companies acting on FAO’s behalf to provide employment support services such as pre-screening of applications, assessment tests, background checks and other related services. You will be asked to provide your consent before submitting your application. You may withdraw consent at any time, by withdrawing your application, in such case FAO will no longer be able to consider your application
• Only applications received through the FAO recruitment portal will be considered
• Your application will be screened based on the information provided in your online profile
• We encourage applicants to submit the application well before the deadline date.
If you need help or have queries, please create a one-time registration with FAO’s client support team for further assistance: https://fao.service-now.com/csp
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