Technical Adviser
4.
- Organization: FAO - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
- Location: 4.
- Grade: Level not specified - Level not specified
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Occupational Groups:
- RAF
- Closing Date: Closed
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The length of appointment for internal FAO candidates will be established in accordance with applicable policies pertaining to the extension of appointments
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• FAO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and nationality
• People with disabilities are protected from any type of discrimination during any stage of employment, including the recruitment phase
• All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality
• The incumbent may be re-assigned to different activities and/or duty stations depending on the evolving needs of the Organization
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Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) 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. RAF also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization’s Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. RAF develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions including the Regional Economic Integration Organizations (REIOs). The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
The Technical Adviser provides technical leadership assistance to the Food Security Integrated Programme (FS-IAP).
The FS-IAP targets agro-ecological systems in the drylands of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where the need to enhance food security is directly linked to opportunities for generating local and global environmental benefits. The FS-IAP seeks to contribute to a paradigm shift in African agriculture in the context of policy debates about how to feed a rapidly expanding population, one that emphasizes the importance of natural capital and ecosystem services.
The Technical Adviser reports to the Chief Technical Adviser (Lead Technical Officer-LTO).
He/she will facilitate liaison between the Programme Coordination Unit (PCU), FAO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and will coordinate the Regional project activities in the countries in accordance with the t expected outcomes as stipulated in the project document.
Supports the integration and scaling of approaches for integrated natural resource management, sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security.
Comprehensive technical and policy expertise to support the planning, development and implementation of departmental/divisional programmes, projects, products and services in accordance with departmental/divisional objectives and FAO Strategic Objectives.
• Provides technical leadership assistance on the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned Regional programmes/projects; assists in the review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, liaises with relevant parties; identifies follow-up actions;
• Assists in the coordination of 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;
• Assists/supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. background papers, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
• Contributes to consultative and other meetings, conferences, including proposals for agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
• Participates in activities such as structuring of training workshops, seminars; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities;
• Provides advice to the Chief Technical Adviser regarding the development of policies and strategies, as well as national protocols and guidelines for projects with specific domains related to FAO's work.
• Sets up partnerships with policy fora, research and practitioners initiatives in Africa to facilitate policy and science platforms on Integrated Natural Resources Management, land degradation and their nexus with food security and sustainable agriculture;
• Provides technical inputs to the preparation of Component 1 flagship publications, regional workshops and training materials;
• Reviews the needs analysis of the 12 countries, initially undertaken during the design phase to identify priority themes to be addressed;
• Contributes to the development of terms of reference, letters of agreements, work plans in relation to the component implementation and supervises the management of the Component budget in accordance with the agreed work plan and approved disbursal of project funds;
• Prepares progress and final mission/terminal reports to the PCU and Project Steering Committee based on close consultations with all relevant partners;
• Performs other duties as required.
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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
• Advanced university degree in agriculture, environment or natural resource management or any other subject related to the mandate of the Organization;
• Seven years of relevant experience in leading and/or coordinating international projects, providing policy advice on themes focused on sustainable food and agriculture, natural resource management, environmental conservation, climate change mitigation and adaptation;
• Working knowledge of English, French or Spanish and limited knowledge of one of the other two or Arabic, Chinese and Russian.
• Results Focus;
• Team Work;
• Communication;
• Building effective relationships;
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement.
• Work experience in more than one location or area of work, particularly in field positions is desirable;
• Relevance and extent of experience in institutional and policy arrangements to support the adoption of ecosystem service-aware practices, such as Sustainable Land Management (SLM) programmes and agro-environmental science based policy support processes;
• Relevance and extent of experience in working with intergovernmental bodies and multidisciplinary teams;
• Extent and relevance of experience in the coordination of multistakeholder platforms;
• Familiarity with FAO/UN project management isconsidered an asset.