Senior Field Programme Officer

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) 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. RLC 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. RLC develops and maintains relations with region-wide institutions, including regional political and economic integration organizations.

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 post is located in the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, Santiago, Chile.

The Senior Field Programme Officer reports to the Assistant Director-General/Regional Representative (ADG/RR) for Latin America and the Caribbean.

Leadership of results-based field programme management, implementation and coordination throughout the region; support regional resource mobilization efforts; operational support and capacity building to budget holders/project formulators and operators throughout the region; field project/programme implementation as Budget Holder; project cycle management, forecasting, monitoring and reporting on results.

Leadership and technical expertise for the planning, development and implementation of Programmes of work, projects, related-products, and services in accordance with FAO Strategic Objectives.

• 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, analysis, substantial sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications;
• Directs substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations;
• Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, 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.

• Leads the Regional Field Programme Team for the development, management and coordination of the field programme throughout the region, towards the achievement of regional/country results and impacts contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Manages and supervises (as Budget Holder) the implementation of regional projects.
• Supports Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) countries and subregions in projects operational management including daily support in project management and implementation of FAO policies and procedures as well as assessment and strengthening of country offices capacities for project implementation.
• Oversees FAO project cycle for all projects of the region, ensuring results-based focus and adherence to FAO procedures and processes.
• Ensures proactive monitoring of the region's delivery and project implementation, supporting early action to address critical situations.
• Supervises the management of the Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) in the region.
• Supervises the work of the Support Team for Rapid Growth Countries, providing guidance and orientation as required to ensure countries preparation for the implementation of large scale projects.
• Supervises and provides guidance to the Regional Coordination Team for resources mobilization, which supports countries to achieve their targets, in close collaboration with Strategic Programmes and Regional Initiatives Teams and in coordination with PSR and other relevant HQ Units.
• Collaborates with other RLC functional units (Administration and Finance, HR and FAORs Network) in addressing country offices functional and management issues, making proposals for improving processes and procedures and strengthening capacities thereof.
• Collaborates with the Strategic Programme Leader and the Planning Officer on the establishment of a regional capacity evaluation and knowledge management.
• Supervises and monitors the performance of assigned staff and support capacity development of the team.
• Measures, monitors and reports on the implementation of the field programme in countries and region, and provides forecasts and trend analysis to management to support strategy development.

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CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

• Advanced university degree in economics, business administration, management or related technical fields of FAO's mandate.
• Ten years of relevant experience in results based project/programme planning, implementation, and monitoring including systems/appraisal.
• Working knowledge of English and Spanish.

Competencies

• Results Focus
• Leading, Engaging and Empowering
• Communication
• Partnering and Advocating
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

• Strategic Thinking

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

•Extent and relevance of experience in the Latin America and Caribbean Region will be considered a strong asset.
• Extent and relevance of experience and skills in programme/project identification, formulation, analysis, planning and implementation.
• Extent and relevance of experience in the management of medium to large-scale programmes/projects at country and regional levels, including in-depth knowledge of related administrative, operational and financial procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in resource mobilization, donor relations, and partnership building.
• Limited knowledge of French is an asset.